The Unconventional Guide to Setting (and Crushing) Your Financial New Years Resolutions
by Anoushka Gandhi, Founder & CEO
As 2025 approaches, many of us are setting financial goals. To cope with the rising cost of living and growing economic uncertainty, becoming financially literate has never been more critical.
But let's face it: without the right tools or skills, those goals can feel daunting. What if setting financial goals didn't feel overwhelming? What if it was as exciting as planning your dream vacation? Whether you're saving for a big trip, paying off debt, or building an emergency fund, these unconventional strategies will make achieving your goals feel like an adventure.
Build a Vision Board
Use magazines, Canva templates, or Pinterest to create a vision board that represents your financial dreams. Include images like:
- Dream vacations
- Your ideal home
- A big "PAID OFF" stamp over student loans
Why It Works: Visualizing your financial dreams makes them feel attainable and inspires actionable steps toward success.
Top tip
Place your board somewhere visible—on your desk or as your phone wallpaper—to stay inspired and remind yourself of your goals.
(My vision board? Apartments with stunning views around the world—one day, I'll own one.)
Gamify Your Goals
Turn your financial journey into a game to stay motivated:
- Track Your Progress: Create a progress bar on paper or digitally and color it in as you approach your goal.
- Break Goals into Levels: Divide big goals into smaller milestones, just like levels in a video game.
- Example: Saving for your next adventure?
- Level 1: Save $1,000 to book your flight.
- Level 2: Save $3,000 for hotel reservations.
- Level 3: Save $5,000 for activities.
- Example: Saving for your next adventure?
- Introduce Challenges: Add tasks like a "One-Week No-Spend Challenge" and deposit the savings into a dedicated fund.
Celebrate Every Win
Don't wait for the finish line—reward yourself for milestones along the way:
- Saved $100? Enjoy a fancy latte.
- Saved $1,000? Treat yourself to a nice dinner.
My go-to reward? Street tacos and a cold beer—or a Thai massage for bigger achievements!
Hold Yourself Accountable
Mistakes happen, but accountability is key. Recalibrate with small penalties for straying from your plan:
- Example: For every unnecessary purchase, move $5 from your entertainment fund to your savings account.
Ready to Make Goal Setting Fun?
Goal setting doesn't have to be scary. Gamify your progress or build a vision board to make your goals personal, fun, and achievable.
Try one of these strategies today:
- Start a Pinterest vision board of your financial dreams.
- Color in your progress bar.
- Set a money challenge like "save an extra $50 this week."
Tag us in your journey on social media and join the SIMMER waitlist for exclusive tools, creative ideas, and personalized strategies. Let's make saving and planning the most exciting part of your financial journey!
