how to set yourself up for financial success this year
practical ways to get your money sh*t together this year 💸
Happy New Year Fin Fam!
Welcome to my Substack!!
This year I want to write more, so creating a Substack felt like a good first step. I’ll be creating more blog style writings, including my Monthly 4-1-1 newsletters, from this platform for easier access to anything that resonates with you. I also plan to create a paid subscription at some point where I’ll share a way more personal and in-depth look at my finances, goals, virtual assistance business, breaking down my action plans for building wealth, and more. But for now, I’m taking it one step at a time, starting with sharing 3 easy and intentional money moves you can make to start 2025 off on the right foot. Let’s get right to it.
Audit your finances 💰
If you’ve got a budget, it’s time to review it. Outside of your fixed monthly expenses, where is the rest of your money going? Do the things you’re currently budgeting for still align with your values? Are you spending all your extra money on Doordash instead of building up your savings (I’m calling 2024 me out on this one)? Look at your expenses and your spending habits and be honest with yourself - what can change to get you closer to your goals and the life you actually want to live?
Set S.M.A.R.T. money goals 📝
If you’re unfamiliar with SMART goals, it stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Getting this specific with what you’re working on gives you a step-by-step plan which makes you much more likely to do the thing. Here’s an example of a SMART money goal:
Specific: “I will save $3,000 in my emergency fund this year.”
Measurable: Break it down into monthly contributions - “$3,000 divided by 12 months is $250. I will save $250 per month.”
Achievable: Be realistic based on your income and expenses - “$250 is a realistic number for me to save.”
Relevant: Align goals with your life priorities - “Having $3,000 in my EF will help me feel financially stable and less stressed.”
Time-Bound: “I will achieve this in one year.”
You can set a SMART goal for how much you want to save, pay off in debt, invest, and more. Whatever goals you set, add that amount as an item in your budget and start paying it monthly like it were a bill so it gets done.
Continue to educate yourself 📚
There’s so much to learn about money and how to make the best choices for you and your personal finances. Get in the habit of keeping up with financial education that aligns with your goals through books (physical or audio - they both rock), podcasts, blogs, and/or Youtube channels. If you’re into books, here are some good ones to start out with just to name a few: You Are A Badass at Making Money by Jenn Sincero, Make Money Move by Lauren Simmons, and my current read, The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel.
There’s so much I want to do and work on with my finances this year, but like I said earlier, I’m taking everything one step at a time. I suggest the same for you. Maybe January is for goal setting, February is for auditing your finances, and March is for educating yourself. That’s PERFECT. Go at your pace because remember, they’re your personal finances - you make the rules. 🖤
More Money Move Suggestions for 2025
FREE Mindful Money Moves Challenge - join me in this 3 week January challenge starting January 12th to get mindful, intentional and creative with money! We’ll be focusing on mindset, money, and taking action so your goals actually get completed! Join here.
Join the Virtual Assistant Accelerate - learn how to go from 0 to money-making virtual assistant in only 7 weeks through V.A.A., my hands-on virtual assistant program based on my own experience of getting to $5,000+ months in 90 days (only working part time hours while having a 9-to-5)! V.A.A. will only be held twice this year, once in January and once in August with limited spots. The doors open on January 6th with a January 13th start. Get full details here.
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Wishing you the happiest of new years with the most abundant of bank accounts <3
- Aleah, CWM