You’re already familiar with the phrase “new year, new you,” but January isn’t about becoming a new person. It’s about setting up small financial wins that make the rest of the year a lot easier. I think we all want less hustle and more clarity, right?
So here are 5 simple money moves to kick off the year and move you closer to financial freedom without overwhelming you.
1. Do a 15-Minute Money Reset
You don’t need a full budget spreadsheet to start strong.
Instead just:
- Check your bank and credit card balances
- Look at what you spent in December, particularly that holiday damage
- Cancel or pause subscriptions you forgot about
This quick check-in helps you spot leaks before they turn into regrets, and it’s way less stressful than ignoring them.
2. Set One Money Goal
People in January tend to set a lot of goals, but it’s not realistic when February comes around. Just pick one for now:
- Build a $1,000 emergency fund
- pay off one high-interest credit card
- Increase retirement contributions by 1%
- Save for a trip, move, or major purchase
When you have one focused goal, you’ll have a higher follow-through rate!
3. Try the 30-Day Spending Rule
January’s the perfect month to reset spending habits after the holidays. Called the 30-Day Spending Rule, it’s simple:
- If you want something non-essential, wait 30 days
- If you still want it after 30 days, buy it guilt-free
- If not, then congrats! You saved money without trying
This rule is great for impulse spenders and decision fatigue.
4. Update Your Paycheck
Small paycheck changes can quietly improve your finances for the rest of the year.
Check:
- Are you contributing enough to get your employer’s 401(k) match? That’s free money!
- Should you increase contributions now that the limits have reset?
- Is your tax withholding still accurate?
These small changes can compound the longest. So it’s low effort, but high impact!
5. Automate One Thing
Setting up automation will give you one less thing to worry about, and it’s a favorite tool of financially free people.
Set up at least ONE automatic action:
- Weekly transfer to savings (whatever you can)
- Automatic credit card payment (but still double-check statements)
- Monthly investment contribution
If money moves without you thinking about it, consistency will become effortless and EASY.
The Money Move
January (and the new year) isn’t about perfection, but a step towards momentum.
The few intentional moves now can reduce your stress, increase your savings, and make the rest of the year feel more in control. So start small and stay consistent!