Why Do Most People Fail at Their New Year’s Resolutions and How Can I Actually Stick to My Financial Goals This Year?

Why Do Most People Fail at Their New Year’s Resolutions and How Can I Actually Stick to My Financial Goals This Year?

Jan 14, 2026 | Book of the Week, Building Emotional Muscle, Building Financial Muscle, Credit Score, Debt, Debt Payment, Debt Repayment, Educational Series, Estate Planning, Financial Education, Financial Freedom, Financial Health, Financial Management 101, Holiday Season, Holiday Spending, Mindset, Mortgage, Net Worth, Retirement, Saving Money, Self Development

New Year, Same Resolutions? Let’s Talk About It.

Ahhh January the month of green smoothies, gym selfies, and freshly purchased planners that are definitely going to change your life this time, right?

If you’re like most people, you’ve probably made a few New Year’s resolutions that sounded amazing on January 1st… but by February? They’re long forgotten, buried under Uber Eats receipts and good intentions.

And when it comes to money goals? Ohhh, this is where the guilt hits hard.

So let’s break it down: Why do New Year’s resolutions fail and what can you do instead to actually stick to your financial goals this year?

Spoiler: It’s not about willpower. It’s about building financial muscle and that’s what I help people do every day.

The Stats Don’t Lie – Most Resolutions Don’t Last

According to research:

  • 43% of people expect to fail their resolutions by February
  • Only 9% actually feel successful by the end of the year
  • The most common failed resolutions? Diet, fitness… and yes — money

Why? Because most resolutions are made in the heat of a moment – not rooted in a system, a strategy, or support.

We say things like:

  • “I’m going to save $5,000 this year!”
  • “I’m cutting up ALL my credit cards!”
  • “I’ll never spend money on takeout again!”

…but we don’t have a real plan behind it. Just hope, hype, and maybe a pretty notebook.

New Year’s Resolutions

Why Financial Resolutions Fail: The Real Talk

Here’s what I’ve seen in my coaching practice over and over:

  1. The goal is too vague.
     “Get better with money” isn’t a goal – it’s a wish. Your brain doesn’t know what to do with that.
  2. There’s no timeline.
     Saving “someday” or “this year” doesn’t create urgency or clarity.
  3. You try to do too much, too fast.
     Going from zero to “never spending a dollar unless it’s pre-budgeted” is like deciding to run a marathon when you haven’t walked around the block in months.
  4. No accountability.
     When you’re the only one who knows your goals… it’s easy to quit. Life gets busy, bills pile up, and suddenly, your “big resolution” is a tab you closed weeks ago.
  5. Shame gets in the way.
     One slip-up, and your inner critic screams, “See?! You always mess this up!” And so you give up again.

Sound familiar?

So What Actually Works? (This Is Where It Gets Fun)

Instead of setting rigid resolutions, try this instead:

✅ Set Clear Financial Intentions – Not Punishments

Financial intentions focus on who you want to become and how you want to feel – not just what you want to do.

For example:

  • “I want to feel peaceful when I check my bank account.”
  • “I want to be someone who saves consistently.”
  • “I want to feel proud of my money decisions.”

From there, we build small, tangible goals that align with that intention. That’s the sweet spot.

✅ Build Micro Goals That Stack Into Momentum

Instead of “Save $5,000 this year,” try:

  • “Transfer $100 every payday to my savings account.”
  • “Do 1 no-spend weekend per month.”
  • “Track my spending daily for 30 days.”

These small actions feel doable and when done consistently, they change everything.

✅ Have a System – Not Just a Goal

Anyone can write a goal. But what’s your system to get there?

Here’s a basic system I teach inside my Financial Muscle Coaching:

  1. Weekly money check-ins (10 minutes)
  2. Monthly budget reviews
  3. Track 1 habit at a time (like spending or debt payments)
  4. Celebrate progress every month.

Have a Money Budgeting System

Systems create structure and structure creates success. Don’t wait – join the membership now and start living your best life from today.

Join Financial Muscle Coaching Now
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Think Rich, Stay Rich: Building Wealth + Protecting It with Wills, Insurance & Estate Planning

Think Rich, Stay Rich: Building Wealth + Protecting It with Wills, Insurance & Estate Planning

Sep 24, 2025 | Building Emotional Muscle, Building Financial Muscle, Credit Score, Debt, Debt Payment, Debt Repayment, Educational Series, Estate Planning, Financial Education, Financial Freedom, Financial Management 101, Mindset, Mortgage, Net Worth, Retirement, Saving Money, Self Development

Wealth isn’t just about having money.

It’s about building it strategically and protecting it wisely.

And let’s be honest:

Most people focus so hard on making money that they forget to plan for what happens once they have it.

In this blog, we’re unpacking:

  • The mindset shift from making money to keeping money
  • What wealth-building really looks like (even if you’re starting small)
  • Why insurance and estate planning matter at every stage
  • How to future-proof your finances for yourself and your family

Let’s get into it.

? First: Shift from Earning to Building

When you’re in survival mode, your focus is on earning and paying bills. But true financial freedom comes when you start thinking long-term.

Here’s what wealthy people understand:

It’s not just what you make that matters. It’s what you keep, grow, and protect.

That shift in thinking is powerful. It means you’re no longer reacting to money problems – you’re planning for prosperity.

? What Does Wealth-Building Look Like?

Wealth-building isn’t about flashy cars or seven-figure salaries. It’s about consistent, values-aligned habits over time.

Here are some key wealth-building actions:

1. Investing Early & Often

You don’t need thousands to start. With micro-investing apps and superannuation (or retirement accounts), you can begin small and grow big.

2. Multiple Income Streams

Wealth builders don’t rely on just one source. Think side hustles, passive income, rental properties, or dividend stocks.

3. Automated Saving

Treat savings like a non-negotiable bill. Automation makes it effortless and consistent.

4. Asset Growth

Buy appreciating assets (like property or shares), not just liabilities (cars, gadgets, etc.).

5. Financial Literacy

Wealthy people are constantly learning. They read books, hire coaches, and surround themselves with financial wisdom.

? Why Protecting Your Wealth Matters

Building wealth is only one part of the equation.

Protecting it is just as important.

This is where too many people drop the ball. Without protection, all your hard work could be undone by:

  • Illness or injury
  • Legal disputes
  • Death without a plan

Let’s talk about the tools that safeguard your legacy.

? Wills, Insurance & Estate Planning: The Wealth Protectors

1. Life Insurance

If anyone depends on your income, you need life insurance. It’s about protecting your loved ones from financial stress in the worst-case scenario.

2. Income Protection Insurance

What happens if you’re too sick or injured to work for months? Income protection can cover up to 75% of your income to keep you afloat.

3. Wills & Power of Attorney

Wills ensure your assets go where you want them to. Power of Attorney gives someone legal authority to act on your behalf if you become incapacitated.

No one wants to think about worst-case scenarios. But planning now means your family won’t be left scrambling later.

4. Advance Care Directives

These outline your medical wishes if you can’t speak for yourself. It brings peace of mind for you and your family.

5. Trusts (for those further ahead)

If you have significant assets or dependents, trusts can help manage, protect, and distribute wealth according to your wishes.

Working on your money mindset while paying off debt is so important.

? Estate Planning Is an Act of Love

Let’s be real. Avoiding your numbers can lead to:

  • Overspending without realising it
  • Paying late fees or higher interest
  • Never knowing where your money is going
  • Constant financial anxiety

This creates the cycle of financial fog:

Avoid → Panic → Overspend → Avoid again

You deserve better.

? How This Fits Into the Financial Freedom Diagram

At the top of the Financial Management 101 Diagram are people who are:

  • Confident
  • Happy
  • Focused
  • Designing a life of freedom and purpose

That includes growing their wealth and protecting their assets.

This is the final layer of your financial muscle. It’s where you move from “doing okay” to building a legacy.

⚡ Ready to Build and Protect Your Future?

Here are 3 steps to take today:

  1. Schedule a review of your current insurances and will (or start one if you haven’t yet!)
  2. Join our Financial Freedom Breakthrough Program to get tools, templates, and expert support
  3. Have a money conversation with your family – start talking about future plans

? Final Thoughts

You work hard for your money. Now it’s time to make sure your money works hard for you.

Wealth is not just about what you earn. It’s about what you grow. What you protect. And what you pass on.

Think rich. Stay rich. And build a life and legacy – you’re proud of.

Your Financial Freedom Breakthrough™
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From Chaos to Clarity: How to Create a Money Plan That Actually Works

From Chaos to Clarity: How to Create a Money Plan That Actually Works

Jul 16, 2025 | Building Financial Muscle, Credit Score, Debt, Debt Payment, Debt Repayment, Financial Education, Financial Freedom, Financial Health, Financial Management 101, Mindset, Mortgage, Retirement, Saving Money, Self Development

Ever feel like your money is running you instead of the other way around? Like no matter how much you earn, there’s always more month than money?

If you nodded (or sighed), you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t need a finance degree, a six-figure income, or a strict budget to take control. You just need a money plan that works for you.

In this blog, we’ll ditch the overwhelm and walk through exactly how to create a simple, empowering money plan that gives you clarity, confidence, and real momentum.

Let’s go from chaos to clarity – starting today.

1. Start With Your “Why”: Anchor Your Money to What Matters

Before we dive into numbers, let’s get clear on your why. Because unless your money plan connects to something meaningful, it won’t stick.

Ask yourself:

  • What would feeling in control of my money allow me to do?
  • What does financial peace look like to me?
  • What am I working toward?

Your answers might include:

  • Paying off debt to sleep better at night
  • Saving for a dream trip or home deposit
  • Creating options so you can work less or start a business

Write your top 2 – 3 motivations down. These are your compass when the budget feels boring or things go off track.

2. Know Your Numbers (Without the Shame Spiral)

You can’t improve what you don’t measure. So let’s get honest, not harsh. Gather the basics:

  • Your income (all sources)
  • Your recurring bills
  • Your debt repayments
  • Your spending patterns (groceries, eating out, transport, etc.)
  • Your current savings and investments

Pro tip: Use the last 2–3 months of bank statements to see where your money actually went. You might be surprised (hello, Uber Eats). This isn’t about judgment. It’s about clarity.

3. Create a Simple Money Plan (The 70/20/10 Rule)

Forget complicated budgets with 47 categories. Here’s a simple, flexible formula you can actually stick to:

  • 70% for living: rent/mortgage, groceries, transport, lifestyle
  • 20% for financial goals: savings, debt repayments, investments
  • 10% for the future: extra super, long-term wealth building

The percentages aren’t set in stone. Adjust based on your situation. The key is having a structure that makes sure you’re not spending 100% of your income with nothing left to show for it.

Action step: Plug your own numbers into this formula and see where you land. If you’re off track, that’s your roadmap for change.

Create a Simple Money Plan

4. Automate Your Money Flow (And Take the Stress Out)

Once you know where your money should go, make it happen on autopilot.
Set up automatic transfers:

  • To a separate savings account (nickname it for motivation: “Italy 2026” or “Debt-Free Me”)
  • To cover bills and direct debits
  • To long-term savings or investment accounts

When you automate, you eliminate the willpower game. You’ll save without thinking and avoid last-minute money panic.

Bonus tip: Use a separate account for discretionary spending (like a digital “cash envelope”). When it’s empty, it’s empty.

5. Create an Emergency Buffer (For Life’s “Oh No!” Moments)

Life is full of surprises. Your washing machine breaks, your car needs fixing, or your job suddenly changes.

Having even $1,000 in a buffer fund means you don’t have to reach for the credit card every time life happens.

Aim for 1 month of essential expenses first, then build to 3. But start where you are, every $50 counts. Keep it in a separate high-interest savings account you can access in a true emergency (not Friday night online shopping).

6. Track Progress Without Obsessing

You don’t need to check your bank app five times a day. But regular check-ins keep you engaged and help you spot problems early.

Ideas to stay on track:

  • Weekly money date: review transactions, check balances, update goals
  • Monthly review: celebrate wins, adjust if needed

Use a simple app or spreadsheet to track goals

The goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress.

7. Keep Learning and Stay Inspired

Your relationship with money is lifelong. The more you understand it, the more confident you’ll feel. Try:

  • Reading a finance book this quarter
  • Listening to a weekly money podcast
  • Following finance educators on socials
  • Booking a session with a financial coach to personalise your plan

There’s no shame in not knowing something – only in staying stuck.

Clarity = Confidence = Momentum

When your money feels chaotic, it can affect everything: your stress levels, your sleep, your relationships, and your ability to plan ahead. But creating a money plan that actually works isn’t about spreadsheets or sacrifice. It’s about:

  • Getting clear on what matters to you
  • Creating a simple, sustainable system
  • Building habits that support your goals

And the best part? You can start today. One step. One decision. One plan.

If you’re ready to get out of the fog and into financial clarity, let’s talk. Book your free discovery call and let’s map out your next steps – with zero jargon, zero judgment, and 100% support.

Because you can feel good about your money. You just need a plan that fits your life.

No more chaos. It’s your time for clarity. Let’s make it happen.

Mastering Budgeting and Saving
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