new year, no fear: how to reset your life in 2025
Written by Glen James
Host of the money money money (formerly my millennial money) & Retire Right podcasts & author of The Quick-Start Guide to Investing.
The start of a new year is like a blank canvas, and a chance for you to make the best investment in you: to reset, refocus, and set yourself up for success. And the stats don’t lie about how to make your goals a reality: people who set specific goals are 90% more likely to achieve them compared to those with vague intentions (Dominican University Study). Writing those goals down boosts your chances by 42% (Dr. Gail Matthews). And here’s the kicker—if you loop in an accountability partner, your success rate jumps by 65% (American Society of Training and Development).
To help you achieve your success I’ve created a FREE workbook packed with exercises to make 2025 your best year yet. Download your copy below:
how to set your 2025 goals and money habits:
it’s time to press reset
Here are the 10 things you need to master to hit the ground running this year:
1. Reflect on 2024
Take stock of what worked, what didn’t, and what you learned—you can’t move forward without looking back. Don’t judge yourself, look for the lessons and take note of what worked and why.
2. Define Your 2025 Vision
Get clear on where you want to be by the end of 2025 and what success looks like for you. This could be a word or a phrase that defines what success looks like in your life.
3. Build an Emergency Fund
Life happens—make sure you’ve got a safety net to handle the unexpected. By establishing an emergency fund you’re protecting the money and investments you’ve set up to achieve your goals. Without one, you’ll be dipping into your savings the minute an emergency strikes.
4. Set SMART-YO Goals
SMART goals with a ‘you’ twist: tailor them to your life and make them real.
Specific goals clearly define what you want to achieve
Measurable goals have a way to track progress
Achievable goals are realistic
Relevant goals align with your values
Time-bound goals set a deadline to create focus and accountability
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Yours are goals YOU want (not someone else)
Order ensures you’re focused on the right goal at the right time
5. Get Your Budget in Order
Give every dollar a job so your money is working for you, not the other way around. Use the Glen James Spending Plan if you need somewhere to start!
6. Build New Habits
Success isn’t built on motivation—it’s built on small, consistent actions that add up. Rather than try and overhaul your life asap, decide on simple and achievable habits you can genuinely accomplish every day or every couple of days.
7. Grow Your Financial Knowledge
The more you know, the better decisions you’ll make. Commit to learning something new about money. Do you need to know more about investing, budgeting or how to get rid of debt? Tune into podcasts, read books, join online communities, and start to fill those knowledge gaps.
8. Don’t Forget About Income!
Budgeting is great, but don’t ignore opportunities to boost your earning potential. Are you able to gain a pay rise, start a side hustle or monetise a hobby? Remember to keep expenses lean, regardless of the increase in income, and never let go of a spending plan. Higher income is no guarantee of wealth!
9. Keep Yourself Accountable
Check in regularly on your goals—accountability is the secret sauce to staying on track. Pair up with a trustworthy friend and work together to achieve your goals!
10. Don’t Forget Non-Financial or Non-Tangible Things
A great year isn’t just about numbers; prioritise health, relationships, and what brings you joy. Money isn’t the only thing in your life that will bring joy, so make sure you include these non-financial aspects of your life.
This isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about creating a life that feels good and works for you.
Download the workbook now and start making real progress on the things that matter most to you.
Want to sort your money out? Check out the FREE Glen James Spending Plan!
This course features step-by-step video instructions and a spreadsheet presented by former financial adviser, host of the 'money money money' podcast and author, Glen James.
This course will help you:
understand your behaviour and mindset with money
gain a clearer understanding of your income and expenses, and what areas need addressing
set up a banking structure that actually works
reduce the stress of managing money
help you free up cash so you can start investing and building wealth for your future
