The 8 Easiest Financial Resolutions To Stick To, According to Experts

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It’s a pretty hectic time of year. We’ve got to deal with all-things-holidays, including shopping and possibly traveling, all while keeping up with our normal work and/or caregiving responsibilities. And that’s not all: We’ve also got to come up with some New Year‘s resolutions, because heaven forbid we enter 2025 without feeling like we kinda bombed in 2024 and could do better.

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Now, New Year’s resolutions certainly aren’t a requirement, and if the idea of making any stress you out, feel free to sit this task out. But keep in mind that making New Year’s resolutions can be invigorating and may help you get off to an energetic fresh start in January. The trick to making a successful resolution, particularly when it comes to finances, is to make it realistic and manageable, so that it doesn’t become yet another focal point of stress in your life.

GOBankingRates spoke with financial experts to find out the eight easiest financial resolutions to stick to. Note that these resolutions are very specific, which is intentional, as being so is key to your success in honoring your resolutions throughout the new year and beyond.

Having trouble remembering to put money aside each and every paycheck for your savings or for your retirement plan? Take the memory business out of it and make the super duper easy resolution to automate it all.

“Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account,” said Celia Corley, financial advisor at Academized.com. “Choose a fixed amount — $50, $100 or more, depending on your situation — and schedule it for the day after you receive your paycheck.”

Take the same approach with your 401(k) plan.

“One of the easiest financial resolutions to make and stick with can be setting up automatic contribution increases to your 401(k),” said Herman (Tommy) Thompson, Jr., CFP, ChSNC, ChFC, CFP at Innovative Financial Group. “A lot of providers have an option on the online portal where you can step-up contributions automatically. This way the savings increase is gradual and can help get you to the percentage you want to be at.”

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Rather than saying you will cut down on spending without getting specific, come up with a category you’re pretty certain you can cut down on without sacrificing much.

“Cancel little-used subscriptions, downgrade unnecessary services and track daily spending with a budgeting app,” said Charlie McClain, owner of GrowthPoint Bookkeeping LLC. “These small cuts add up quickly. Seeing that progress motivates and keeps you committed to living closer to your means.”

If people didn’t impulse shop, mega-retailers like Amazon wouldn’t be worth trillions of dollars. Stop making these behemoth corporations richer at your expense and resolve to curb the impulse shopping. It’s easier to do than you may think.

“Try adding in some ‘friction’ to your shopping experience, like removing your credit cards or payment apps like Apple Pay from your online carts or getting into the habit of walking away from your cart for 24 hours before buying,” said Trae Bodge, smart shopping expert at TrueTrae.com. “I would also suggest requiring yourself to research brands you aren’t familiar with so you can see how other shoppers rate their products and customer service.

We all have so many things going on and are often managing many different financial affairs (credit cards, debit cards, HYSAs, tax documents, budgeting spreadsheets, etc.). Make a resolution to keep all your financial records in order.

“Maintaining organized financial records sounds daunting, but leveraging apps like QuickBooks Online makes it straightforward,” McClain said. “Photograph receipts on the go, categorize transactions weekly, and you’ll avoid the end-of-month scramble. Clear records also reveal spending habits, indicating where to scale back early.”

It’s important to routinely track your spending and earnings as well as to be on the lookout for fraud. Make a resolution to review your bank and credit card statements monthly.

“Taking 10 minutes to read your bank and credit card statements each month can stop fraudulent charges or subscription creep,” McClain said. “You’ll also recognize patterns in spending and can adjust accordingly.”

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Maybe you took on a bit of holiday debt in 2024 and it’s time to get focused on wiping the slate clean. Make a resolution to improve your credit score.

“Pay bills on time and keep credit utilization low,” McClain said. “Regular credit report checks can help you correct errors and plan improvements. Small monthly payments are simpler than ignoring issues until they become major hurdles. If necessary, consider a secured credit card or credit-builder loan.”

Part of the point of making resolutions is, in a way, to stop making mistakes. One big mistake all too many of us make is to only worry about taxes during tax season. Get ahead of the game by resolving to plan for taxes year-round.

“Estimate quarterly taxes or set aside a portion of monthly income in a separate ‘tax’ account,” McClain said. “You’ll ease the sting of tax season and avoid scrambling to find cash at the last minute. Automatic transfers and consistent planning keep you prepared — no frantic tax-season surprises.”

Even if you’re financially savvy and up to date on financial matters, it’s incredibly helpful to have a professional such as a certified financial planner (CFP) or financial advisor with you on your wealth-building journey.

It’s easy to do and will make your life easier.

“Outsourcing specialized tasks frees you to focus on core priorities,” McClain said. “Plus, expert oversight can provide surprising insights and boost confidence in your plan.”

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