Why Most Resolutions Fail (And How to Succeed with Your Finances This Year)

Why Most Resolutions Fail (And How to Succeed with Your Finances This Year)

Jan 6, 2025 | Book of the Week, Building Emotional Muscle, Building Financial Muscle, Credit Score, Debt, Debt Payment, Debt Repayment, Educational Series, Financial Health, Financial Management 101, Holiday Season, Holiday Spending, Home Loan, Retirement, Saving Money, Self Development, Side Hustle

Every January, millions of people make resolutions, vowing to lose weight, save money, or finally organise their lives. Yet, by February, most of those resolutions are a distant memory. When it comes to finances, the stakes are even higher, failed resolutions can lead to continued debt, stress, and a lack of progress toward your goals. But why do so many resolutions fail? More importantly, how can you set yourself up for success, especially with your financial goals?

This year, let’s break the cycle. Here’s why most resolutions don’t stick and how you can set realistic, actionable financial goals that actually work.

New Year's Resolutions and Goals

The Problem with Resolutions

1. They’re Too Vague
A resolution like “save more money” or “spend less” sounds great in theory, but without specifics, it’s destined to fail. What does “save more” mean? How much? By when? Without clarity, it’s easy to lose focus.

2. No Plan, Just Hope
Many resolutions rely on sheer willpower. While motivation can get you started, it won’t sustain you for the long haul. A solid plan is essential for turning intentions into results.

3. All-or-Nothing Thinking
Ever decided to “cut all unnecessary spending” and then given up after one unplanned purchase? All-or-nothing approaches set you up for failure because they don’t allow for flexibility.

4. No Accountability
When no one knows about your goals, it’s easy to let them slide. Having someone to cheer you on, or nudge you when you’re slipping makes a huge difference.

Why Financial Intentions Are Different

Financial goals often come with emotional baggage. Many of us have habits or mindsets about money that were shaped long before we started earning. Whether it’s fear of budgeting, guilt about past mistakes, or simply feeling overwhelmed, these emotions can sabotage even the best intentions.

The good news? Financial habits are learnable. With the right mindset, tools, and support, you can rewrite your financial story.

How to Succeed with Your Financial Goals This Year

1. Get Specific About Your Goals
Instead of “save more money,” try something like:

        • “Save $1,000 for an emergency fund by March 31.”
        • “Pay an extra $200 per month toward my credit card debt.”
        • “Spend no more than $400 a month on dining out.”

Specific goals give you a clear target to aim for. Break them down into smaller, actionable steps, and you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment with every milestone.

2. Create a 90-Day Action Plan
While it’s tempting to set year-long goals, short-term plans are more effective. That’s why 90 days is the perfect timeframe—it’s long enough to make meaningful progress but short enough to stay motivated.
For example:

        • Month 1: Assess your financial situation. Track all your expenses and create a realistic budget.
        • Month 2: Implement your budget and identify areas to cut back. Start small, like reducing subscription services or packing lunches for work.
        • Month 3: Focus on building momentum. Add any savings or debt reduction progress to your plan.
While it’s tempting to set year-long goals, short-term plans are more effective.

3. Reframe Your Money Mindset
Your mindset plays a massive role in your financial success. If you believe “I’m just bad with money” or “I’ll never get out of debt,” those beliefs will hold you back. Instead, practice positive affirmations like:

        • “I am capable of learning new money skills.”
        • “Every small step I take brings me closer to financial freedom.”

Even better, pair these affirmations with concrete actions. Every time you stick to your budget or save a little extra, you’re proving to yourself that change is possible.

4. Start Small But Stay Consistent
Big changes often fail because they’re overwhelming. Start with small, manageable habits that build over time.

        • Save $5 a day by skipping a coffee run.
        • Commit to a weekly money check-in where you review your budget and spending.
        • Set up automatic transfers to your savings account—even if it’s just $10 a week.

These small wins add up and help build confidence and momentum.

5. Track Your Progress
It’s easy to lose motivation when you don’t see results. That’s why tracking is so important. Whether it’s a spreadsheet, an app, or even a notebook, record every step of your financial journey.

        • Watch your savings grow each week.
        • Celebrate when you pay off a credit card.
        • Note the changes in your spending habits.

Seeing progress, no matter how small, reinforces your commitment to your goals.

6. Find Your Why
Why do you want to improve your finances? Maybe it’s to take your family on a dream vacation, eliminate the stress of living paycheck to paycheck, or finally buy a home.

Your “why” is your motivation. Write it down, visualize it, and keep it front and center. When the going gets tough, reminding yourself of your deeper purpose will help you stay on track.

7. Get Support
Accountability is a game-changer. Whether it’s a friend, partner, or coach, having someone to share your goals with can make all the difference. Programs like the 90-Day Money Makeover offer a built-in support system, with resources, community, and guidance to keep you on track.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

1. Expecting Perfection
You will slip up and that’s okay. What matters is how you recover. Instead of giving up after a mistake, ask yourself: “What can I learn from this?”

2. Overloading Yourself
Don’t try to tackle everything at once. Focus on one or two key goals at a time. Once you’ve mastered them, move on to the next.

3. Comparing Yourself to Others
Your financial journey is unique. Comparing your progress to others will only discourage you. Stay focused on your own goals and celebrate your wins.

Conclusion

This year, break the cycle of failed resolutions and make 2025 the year you take control of your finances. By setting clear goals, creating a plan, and staying consistent, you’ll build habits that last a lifetime.

Remember: small steps lead to big changes. Start with one goal today, and by next January, you’ll be amazed at how far you’ve come. If you’re ready to supercharge your progress, join the LEARNING HUB and get immediate access to all courses and books including ongoing financial and mindset monthly coaching now.

Financial Resolutions

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The Debt Detox: Eliminating Hidden Costs That Keep You in the Red

The Debt Detox: Eliminating Hidden Costs That Keep You in the Red

Sep 24, 2024 | Book of the Week, Building Financial Muscle, Credit Score, Debt, Educational Series, Financial Health, Financial Management 101, Home Loan, Mindset, Mortgage, Relationships, Retirement, Saving Money

When it comes to managing debt, it’s often the unexpected expenses—the hidden costs—that sneak up and keep you from achieving financial freedom. These hidden costs aren’t always big, flashy expenses; instead, they quietly drain your finances month after month. In this post, we’ll uncover these sneaky costs and provide actionable steps to eliminate them from your life.

1. UNMASK THE SUBSCRIPTION TRAP

Subscriptions are one of the sneakiest ways money leaks out of our accounts. Streaming services, gym memberships, meal delivery kits—you name it. The problem is that they often go unnoticed because the individual costs seem minimal. However, they add up significantly over time, especially when we forget to cancel the ones we don’t use.

Action Step:
Go through your phone to review any subscriptions. If you’re with IOS this will be in your settings and you can cancel any of the services that you don’t use. Next review all your bank statements and list every subscription you’re currently paying for. Cancel any that you haven’t used in the last month or that you can live without.

2. EVALUATE YOUR UTILITY BILLS

Utilities are necessary, but are you paying more than you need to? Often, people stick with the same provider for years without realising there are better deals available. Electricity, gas, water, and even internet and mobile plans can usually be renegotiated or switched to a cheaper provider. 

Action Step:
Compare utility providers using online tools or comparison websites. Consider switching providers or negotiating with your current one to get a better rate.

3. INVESTIGATE INSURANCE OVERLAPS

You might be overinsured without even realising it. If you have multiple insurance policies (health, car, home, life), there could be overlaps in coverage. This redundancy leads to unnecessary costs. Additionally, insurance rates often fluctuate, and you could be eligible for better rates.

Action Step:
Review all your insurance policies and speak with your provider to eliminate any overlaps. Shop around for better rates annually.

4. AVOID THE “LATTE EFFECT”

The “Latte Effect” isn’t just about coffee; it’s about those small daily expenses that seem harmless individually but compound significantly over time. This includes buying lunch every day, snacks, or even those extra data charges on your mobile plan.

Action Step:
Track all your small daily expenses for one week. Identify items you can eliminate or reduce. Consider alternatives like making your coffee or preparing meals at home.

5. ANALYSE YOUR CREDIT CARD FEES

Credit cards can come with hidden fees, like annual fees, late payment fees, or foreign transaction fees. These fees can quietly add up and increase your debt if you’re not careful. Understanding your credit card’s terms can help you avoid these fees.

Action Step:
Review the terms and conditions of all your credit cards. Consider switching to a card with no annual fee or lower interest rates. Set up automatic payments to avoid late fees.

6. SPOT THE SNEAKY BANK CHARGES

Banks love to sneak in fees—monthly maintenance fees, overdraft fees, ATM fees, and even paper statement fees. These charges may seem small, but they can accumulate quickly, especially if you’re not vigilant.

Action Step:
Review your bank statements for any recurring fees. Contact your bank to negotiate waiving these fees or consider switching to a bank that offers fee-free accounts.

7. CUT DOWN ON CONVENIENCE COSTS

Convenience comes at a price. Takeout food, delivery services, and buying bottled water are all examples of convenience costs. These might save time but can drain your wallet quickly.

Action Step:
Set a goal to cut down on one convenience cost per week. Prepare meals in bulk, invest in a water filter, or limit your use of delivery services.

Cutting down on food convenience costs, examining car-related expenses,

and understanding health-related costs can help you save more money!

8. UNDERSTAND YOUR HEALTH-RELATED COSTS

Healthcare costs can be complex and deceptive. These include deductibles and out-of-pocket costs. You might be paying more for healthcare than necessary by not understanding your insurance policy or not taking advantage of preventative care options.

Action Step:
Review your health insurance policy to understand what is covered. Schedule preventative care visits, which are often covered at no additional cost, to avoid more significant health issues (and expenses) down the line.

9. KEEP AN EYE ON LOYALTY PROGRAMS AND COSTS

Many loyalty programs and credit card points schemes can lead to unnecessary spending. The promise of rewards often encourages spending more than needed, or you might forget to use the points you’ve accumulated, rendering the spending pointless.

Action Step:
Review your loyalty programs and points. Ensure you’re not overspending just to earn points. Use accumulated points strategically before they expire.

10. BE WARY OF ‘FREE TRIALS’ AND PROMOTIONS

Free trials and promotions are designed to hook you in. They often require credit card details and automatically convert to a paid subscription if not cancelled within a specific period. These can add unexpected costs to your finances if you’re not vigilant.

Action Step:
Keep a log of all free trials you sign up for. Set calendar reminders to cancel them before the trial period ends.

11. EXAMINE YOUR CAR COSTS

Owning a car can come with numerous hidden costs beyond just fuel—think maintenance, insurance, parking, and tolls. Regular servicing and good driving habits can help reduce these costs.

Action Step:
Review your car-related expenses over the last three months. Consider ways to reduce them, such as carpooling, using public transportation, or bundling errands to minimise fuel consumption.

12. AVOID PENALTIES AND FINES

Late fees on bills, parking tickets, and other fines like excessive speeding are avoidable costs that can delay your financial progress. These penalties are often due to forgetfulness, poor planning or as we like to say for speeding fines a “lead foot” :).

Action Step:
Set up automated reminders for bill payments and due dates. Make a habit of reviewing your calendar weekly to anticipate any payments due and ensure you leave enough time in your journey to avoid any speeding tickets.

Conclusion: Stay Ahead of the Game

Eliminating hidden costs is an essential part of becoming debt-free. By scrutinising every expense and making small, manageable changes, you can save hundreds – if not thousands of dollars each year.
Remember, the key is vigilance: regularly review your finances, stay informed, and make adjustments as needed. Your journey to debt freedom is not just about cutting big expenses but also about mindfully managing the small, sneaky ones.

Learn the fundamental concepts of how budgeting and saving are important to your financial well-being. Registration is now open for the course: Mastering Budget and Saving Techniques. This is a hands-on course with me guiding you on how to budget, track and look at managing your money like a pro.

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