Maybe you’re tying up the loose ends of a productive year. Or maybe you’ve been dragging your feet and feel like you’ve been crawling toward the finish line rather than sprinting across it.
Either way, it’s probably not too late to finish 2024 strong.
The following are some simple, straightforward financial goals that can still be readily achieved as we approach 2025.
1. Budget for 2025
Has your pay decreased? Have your expenses increased? Have you been overspending?
Take those changes into account — as well as any obstacles you foresee for the coming months — and make a new budget for 2025.
2. Spring — uh, winter? — cleaning
A chaotic home can add to your stress, and stress leads to emotional and impulse spending. Rectify the situation by spending just a few hours cleaning and decluttering before the end of the year.
If you are good at cleaning, you could even consider earning extra money by offering your services on a part-time basis.
Pro Tip: Earn up to $1000 per month doing simple tasks with KashKick!
3. Brew your coffee at home
Start doing this here and there over the next couple of weeks, then try to hold that habit throughout the coming year and beyond.
A homemade cup probably costs you no more than $1, and possibly a lot less. A medium cup at Starbucks will cost you more than $3, and a fancy drink could cost more than $6.
Making your own means saving a minimum of a couple hundred dollars a year.
Pro Tip: Earn as much as possible on your emergency savings. For example, SoFi Checking pays a competitive APY on savings, plus a cash bonus for new members who set up direct deposit. (May change without notice.)
Earn up to 4.40% Annual Percentage Yield (APY) on one SoFi Savings account with a 1.10% APY Boost (added to the 3.30% APY as of 10/20/26) for up to 6 months. Open your first SoFi Checking and Savings account between 10/20/26 and 12/31/27, then within 60 days of account opening receive an eligible direct deposit OR $5,000 or more in qualifying deposits. You must maintain eligible direct deposit or $5,000 in qualifying deposits every 31 days to keep the Boost, for up to 6 months. Rates variable, subject to change.
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4. Shop your insurance policies
Many people avoid this step because it seems dull. But they’re probably sacrificing hundreds of dollars in savings by not doing so.
Think it over: Could saving money on insurance be worth an extra hour of homework? It’s certainly worth a quick phone call or two, right?
Pro Tip: Use a car insurance shopping site and find cheaper insurance. You might save up to $600/yr.
5. Put a little cash into that savings account
Financial advisers urge their clients to save 15% to 20% of their income. Some simply can’t because of their budget. But there’s a good chance that others are just ignoring their savings accounts.
See how much money you get to put into savings when you pay yourself first.
Pro Tip: If you have over $150,000 in savings, consider talking to a professional financial advisor. Zoe Financial is a free service that will match you with a pro in your area.
6. Check to make sure your browser is protecting your data
PC Mag points out that some online hacks are outside users’ control. For instance, hackers steal data from breached websites and sell it over the dark web.
However, consumers can take steps to protect themselves to a degree. For instance, it’s a bad idea to reuse passwords across various accounts or use the same password for a long time. It’s also important to utilize a trusted and secure web browser.
Assuming you’d rather not investigate everything that makes a browser safe, PC Mag listed these options in July as meeting their verification standards: Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Safari and Brave.
Pro Tip: Don’t let thieves steal your life – protect your identity with top-rated ID theft protection.
7. Calculate your net worth
This will take a little work, but it’s not complicated.
Take some time to review your finances and calculate your net worth by adding up all your assets and subtracting all your debts and liabilities.
Not only does this help you see how much progress you’ve made since last year — or over a five- or 10-year period — but it also helps you see how valuable your material goods are.
Reaching financial goals doesn’t have to be overwhelming. You can make meaningful progress before the year ends by focusing on simple, actionable steps. Each goal achieved contributes to a healthier financial future and sets you up for success in the new year.
Take the first step today, and be amazed by what you can accomplish in just a few weeks.
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