As the new year unfolds, many people resolve to take better control of their finances, but knowing which financial habits will truly pay off in the long term can be a challenge. To help guide your financial journey, we’ve tapped money experts who share their own resolutions that led to significant financial success.
1. Shift Focus to Saving and Investing Over Impulsive Spending
Kevin Shahnazari, CEO and founder of FinlyWealth, reveals that one of the most impactful resolutions he adopted was prioritizing savings and investing over impulsive spending. By committing to consistent savings, Shahnazari not only established an emergency fund but also opened doors to wealth-building opportunities through investments.
“This resolution has completely reshaped my financial life,” Shahnazari shares. “Rather than focusing on immediate gratification, I’ve centered my efforts on long-term financial goals.”
2. Automate Savings for Greater Discipline
Building on his first resolution, Shahnazari automated his savings to eliminate the temptation of spending funds elsewhere. He set up automatic transfers to his savings and investment accounts each month, ensuring that the money was consistently set aside before he could touch it.
“This simple move has proven to be incredibly effective, showing that discipline is key to growing your wealth,” he explains.
3. Commit to Continuous Personal Finance Education
For Shahnazari, self-education was a crucial resolution. He made it a point to engage with books, workshops, and financial communities, constantly enriching his financial knowledge.
“By continuously educating myself, I’ve made better decisions when it comes to budgeting and investments,” he says. “Financial literacy is one of the most powerful tools you can have in building lasting wealth.”
4. Rethink Entertainment Budgeting
Thomas Maluck, a Certified Financial Education Instructor, shared a resolution that revolved around entertainment spending. After reviewing his credit card statements, Maluck discovered that his love for books—whether eBooks, comics, or second-hand finds—was adding up to over $1,000 annually.
“I realized that small weekly purchases were costing me more than I’d thought,” Maluck recalls. “Instead of cutting out my passion, I looked for affordable alternatives, like local library access and subscription apps like GlobalComix, which saved me significant amounts.”
5. Set Long-Term Financial Goals for Sustainable Wealth
Finance expert Bhavin Swadas, founder of Mine My Deal, reflects on how shifting his focus from short-term financial gains to long-term wealth building became one of his most rewarding resolutions. Swadas admitted that prior to this year, he saved without any concrete plans for the future.
“By developing specific retirement and investment goals—like contributing regularly to my 401(k) and establishing an IRA—I’ve gained a greater sense of financial comfort,” Swadas says. “Consistent, small investments over time have led to significant long-term growth.”
6. Cut Unnecessary Costs Through Smarter Deals
Swadas also adopted a strategy of actively seeking discounts and optimizing service agreements to reduce his everyday expenses. By committing to shopping smarter—whether for personal or business expenses—he was able to save about 20% of his monthly costs.
“I focused on finding better deals on everything, from insurance to utility bills, and it paid off,” he explains. “Those savings went directly into building my investments and emergency fund.”
7. Prioritize Building an Emergency Fund
Lastly, Swadas emphasizes the importance of emergency savings, which became one of his top financial priorities. While he already understood the need for a safety net, putting it at the forefront of his financial strategy provided immediate benefits.
“Having a solid emergency fund has given me peace of mind and allowed me to concentrate on other areas of my finances without fear of unexpected costs derailing my progress,” Swadas says.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re aiming to optimize your spending, boost your savings, or grow your investments, these expert-recommended resolutions have proven to be game-changers in achieving financial success. By following their advice and consistently reassessing your financial strategies, you can make 2025 your most financially rewarding year yet.
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