Your 2025 Financial To-Do List: 6 Empowering Money Moves You Can Start Today

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“2025 is right around the corner, bringing fresh opportunities to shape your financial future. What if this year, instead of setting vague resolutions, we focus on simple, achievable actions that make a real impact? Let’s make 2025 the year of intentional, empowering money moves. Here’s a list of practical steps to kick-start your journey.”

A Special Exercise to Start: Write Your Own “Money Love Letter”

Before diving into the steps, here’s a powerful exercise to help you approach 2025 with a fresh, positive mindset. We often carry limiting beliefs about money, shaped by social expectations, past experiences, or the messages we absorb from others. Writing a “money love letter” is a way to transform your relationship with money—approaching it with love, care, gratitude, and excitement.

How to Write Your Money Love Letter for 2025

Take a few quiet minutes to sit down with a pen and paper (or your laptop) and reflect on what money can bring into your life. Think about the freedom, opportunities, and security it can create. Write a heartfelt letter to money as though it were a friend—expressing gratitude, excitement for the future, and a commitment to nurture your financial well-being. Let this letter serve as a reminder that your financial journey is about empowerment and self-care, not just numbers.

Example Prompt: “Dear Money, thank you for the opportunities you create and the security you bring to my life. This year, I am excited to approach you with intention, patience, and gratitude, knowing that each choice I make is building a better future…”

1. Set One Clear Financial Goal with Realistic Steps

Instead of setting broad goals like “save more money,” choose a specific, achievable target. Research shows that people who set small, measurable goals are 80% more likely to achieve them.

Quick Action Plan

• Step 1: Write down your main financial goal for the year. Let’s say it’s saving $5,000.

• Step 2: Break it down by month. To save $5,000, you’ll need to set aside roughly $417 per month.

• Step 3: Use a budgeting app or spreadsheet to track progress. Celebrate each milestone to stay motivated.

Pro Tip: Consider setting up a Chase High-Interest Savings Account and scheduling auto-transfers for each payday. Consistency is key, and these small amounts add up over time.

2. Create (or Revisit) Your Emergency Fund

An emergency fund offers peace of mind for life’s surprises, covering expenses like car repairs, medical bills, or a last-minute family trip.

Simple Steps to Get Started

• Open a Dedicated Account: Use a high-interest savings account, like the one Chase offers, to keep your emergency fund separate.

• Set Up Automatic Contributions: Automate transfers of even $25 or $50 per month to build your fund consistently.

Motivational Reminder: “The best time to prepare for unexpected expenses is before they happen.” Building this fund will give you a sense of security, allowing you to handle surprises without derailing your budget.

3. Do a Monthly Budget Check-In—Make It Your “Money Date”

Creating a monthly budgeting habit can help you stay connected to your finances and make adjustments when needed. Think of it as a “money date”—a time to sit down with your finances in a cozy, supportive environment.

How to Create Your Own Monthly Money Date

• Set the Mood: Make it enjoyable by lighting a candle, preparing your favorite drink, and setting a relaxing atmosphere.

• Review Last Month’s Spending: Reflect on where your money went, celebrate wins, and identify areas for improvement. If you saved using Honey or Rakuten, take a moment to appreciate those savings.

• Check Out Our Blog on Budgeting During Inflation: For a deeper dive, explore our other post on BudgetingDuring Inflation, where I share my “Saturday Money Ritual”—a time I dedicate each week to connect with my money, review my budget, and nurture my financial goals.

This ritual keeps budgeting from feeling like a chore. Instead, it becomes a monthly practice that helps you build a supportive, intentional relationship with money.

4. Automate Your Savings and Investments—“Pay Yourself First”

When I first entered the financial industry, the concept of “paying yourself first” blew my mind. Before spending on bills or shopping, prioritize your savings as if you were paying a bill to yourself. The Latte Factor by David Bach beautifully illustrates this approach, emphasizing how small amounts saved consistently can grow into significant wealth over time.

Steps to Start Automating Today

• Choose an Account for Each Goal: Open accounts for different goals, such as an emergency fund, travel fund, or investment account.

• Use Chase’s Automatic Transfer Feature: Chase Bank allows you to set up automatic transfers, ensuring you “pay yourself first” every payday.

• Look for Cash-Back Options: Whenever you make a necessary purchase, use Honey or Rakuten to save. Every dollar saved can go toward your financial goals, creating small but impactful wins.

Fun Fact: Automating just $25 per week into a high-yield savings account can grow to over $1,300 in a year! It’s proof that small steps can lead to meaningful progress.

5. Explore New Financial Avenues: Side Hustles, Investments, and Savings Accounts

Consider expanding your financial toolkit by exploring alternative ways to grow wealth—whether through side hustles, new investments, or enhanced savings strategies.

Exciting Options to Consider

• Alternative Investments with Rocket Dollar: If you have a retirement account and want to diversify, RocketDollar allows you to invest in non-traditional assets like real estate or startups. This can be an excellent option for those looking to expand their portfolio.

• Start a Side Hustle with Shopify: Thinking about additional income? Starting a small business, such as an affiliate marketing blog or a dropshipping store, can be rewarding. Shopify’s free trial offers a low-cost way to test the waters, earn extra income, and create financial flexibility.

• High-Interest Savings Accounts with Chase: Instead of leaving your savings in a low-interest account, open a Chase high-interest savings account to maximize growth on your hard-earned money.

Personal Success Story: Andrea’s Journey to Iceland

I started my own side hustle with Shopify selling hand-made jewelry from Latin American artisans. It was something close to my heart, and it became a source of additional income. With every sale, I set aside a portion of the earnings for two purposes: investing in the market and saving for a dream trip to Iceland. Last year, I made that trip a reality. This journey taught me that small efforts toward a side hustle can lead to big rewards, creating the freedom to pursue passions and build experiences that matter. (Add photo of Iceland here)

Motivational Thought: “When you invest in yourself—whether through savings, learning, or entrepreneurship—you’re building a future you control.”

6. Build Credit with Rewards—A Fresh Start for the New Year

The New Year is the perfect time to learn from past financial choices and set a fresh course for the future. If building credit is one of your 2025 goals—especially if you’re considering big purchases like a home or a car—taking steps to improve your credit score can make a significant impact. A higher credit score can mean better loan terms, lower interest rates, and more financial opportunities.

How Kovo Can Help You Build Credit
One of my favorite tools for credit-building is Kovo. Not only does Kovo help you establish credit with regular payments, but it also rewards you along the way, making it a motivating option for anyone working toward long-term financial goals. Whether you’re a credit newbie or looking to rebuild, Kovo’s approach is simple and empowering.

Quick Action Plan to Get Started

• Sign Up with Kovo: Get started with Kovo and set up regular payments to start building your credit history.

• Track Your Progress: Watch your credit score grow over time and use Kovo’s rewards as motivation to stick with your credit-building plan.

• Plan for Big Goals: With improved credit, you’ll be in a better position when it’s time to apply for a mortgage, finance a car, or even qualify for better credit cards.

Personal Note
For me, Kovo has been a game-changer in gaining confidence with credit. Seeing my score rise month by month has been empowering, and it’s given me a new level of commitment to my financial goals. Building credit doesn’t have to feel overwhelming—with the right tools, it’s an achievable and rewarding process.

Start Small, Start Today

This year, let’s approach finances with positivity and purpose. From writing a heartfelt “money love letter” to automating savings and exploring side hustles, these small, intentional steps can create a financial future that aligns with your dreams and values.

Remember, financial freedom isn’t a distant goal. It’s something you create day by day, through small, mindful choices that lead to a brighter, more empowered future.

“Financial freedom starts with a single choice. Make it yours.”