Nip It In The Budget

Build wealth, enjoy life

2025 Is Your Money Year

Oh no it isn’t, oh yes it is! Wait, pantomime season is now behind us, let’s move forward and make a huge difference in our lives in 2025.

I hope the year has started well for you and you are back into the swing of things. If you promised to lose weight, hit the gym, and drink more water like me, I hope it is going better for you than it is for me.

🤦

But there is something you can do that can make an immediate impact for you … without having to get off the couch! You can make 2025 the year you take control of your money so that your future is stress-free and you go through each day with a plan. 

Are you ready and are you sitting comfortably? Then let’s begin.

Follow these 5 simple steps to get started:

Step 1: Set a Money Goal

You need to have focus, otherwise there is just no point. You can have more than one goal but try starting small and start the next one when you get on track. Here are a few ideas of money goals that I (and used) when I was starting:

So, where do you want to start? Just choose one goal that aligns with your values and your life and let’s roll with that one.

Step 2: Make it SMART

We need to be very specific about our goal, otherwise, it’s just a dream. “spend less money” is a great plan, but it’s not a goal. Focus on the specifics, make it measurable, make it attainable, make it realistic, and put a timeline on it!

  • “I’ll save $5,000 by December 31, 2025, so I can book an African safari for 2026.”
  • “I’ll do this by saving $416 per month.”
  • “I’ll put this money into a high-interest savings account at 3.75% interest monthly (which I can get at my bank right now) on the 1st of each month.”
  • I will have $5,526.44 by the end of December 2025.

A clear goal gives you something to aim for—and a timeline to get that vacation booked.

Step 3: Your Plan of Attack

Now that you’ve set your goal (yay you), let’s see how you’re going to get there.

  • Automate Your Savings: Pay yourself first by setting up an automatic transfer of $416 to your high-interest savings account the day after payday at the beginning of each month (or whenever you get paid).
  • Review Your Budget: Review your spending through your bank and credit card statements to see where you’re ‘leaking’ money. Cancel unused subscriptions and memberships, search for better insurance and/or internet rates, and look at what you’re spending your money on, and how much you’re spending!
  • Rustle up Extra Money: Consider a side hustle, selling items online, or start teaching guitar in the evenings.

I realize that last one is a little difficult if you don’t play guitar, but you get the gist.

Step 4: Track Your Progress

I love a good spreadsheet. Download my budgeting spreadsheet right now so you can put every one of those dollars to work. You could consider using a budgeting app if you don’t like my spreadsheet—but come on, who doesn’t love a spreadsheet that is all laid out and formatted for you!?

Remember to celebrate all of your wins. Have you got your emergency fund up to its first $1,000? Tell your best friend and share a chocolate bar! Have you paid off the smallest credit card? Cut that sucker up and do a happy dance, swiftly followed by a glass of wine.

Step 5: Don’t Walk This Journey Alone

You don’t have to do this all by yourself! Share your goal with your friends, partner, or favourite work friend. Let’s make talking about money normal. There are also some super supportive communities online so go find a group on Facebook. Being accountable helps you stay on track and let’s face it, we all love to brag about accomplishments, especially when it is so life-changing.

Why Now?

The old Chinese proverb said that the best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now. That proverb holds true with our finances too. You can’t turn back the clock, so let’s start right now, today. You will never have a better time to start and your future self will be so, so happy that you did.Â