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Hello Reader,

Can you believe we're saying goodbye to 2025?

No matter if this past year has been on for the books or something you never want to speak of, the new year offers a fresh start.

As you close out this year, let’s do a financial and mental reset to help you stay focused and unstoppable in the year ahead.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "I'm so proud of what I've been able to accomplish since using My Wealth Plan" - Adeola

1. Reflect: What worked, and what didn't this year?

Author Richard Carlson said, “Reflection is one of the most underused yet powerful tools for success”, and it's so true!

We live in a world where new is better, technology is constantly advancing, and there’s so much emphasis on the future. Yet without learning from our past, we are bound to repeat mistakes.

That said, let’s take a moment to reflect on your past year.

What were your financial wins in 2025?

As you may know, we love celebrating wins. Progress counts, whether it’s a big leap forward or a small step in the right direction. It’s all worth acknowledging.

So make a list of all your financial wins. Drawing a blank? Here are some ideas to spark your memory.

Did you:

• Create and stick to a budget? That’s a win.
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• Make consistent debt payments or pay off debt? That’s a win.
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• Hit your savings goal? That’s a win.
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• Stay within your Christmas budget? Win!
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• Take a mental health day instead of shopping? Win!
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• Stop yourself from impulse shopping on Amazon? Win!
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• Read a book on financial literacy? Win!

When listing your wins, don’t sell yourself short. If you hit a financial goal, celebrate it. Take your list and give yourself a pat on the back, literally.

Better yet, read it out loud and feel how good it makes you feel. Remind yourself: you achieved something, no matter how small!

What habits helped you move forward?

Now that you see the progress you’ve made, ask yourself: What habits or resources helped you achieve those goals?

Habits are the glue that holds our progress together. Maybe you woke up early to work on your passion project, or made it a habit not to check your phone first thing in the morning.

Those small, consistent actions that keep you focused are the ones you want to carry into the new year.​

What goals didn’t go as planned, and why?

Now that you’ve acknowledged what went well, let’s look at what didn’t. This process isn’t about shaming yourself, it’s about recognizing the barriers you faced and planning a better path forward.​

Take a look at the goals you didn’t fully achieve or only made partial progress on. What obstacles got in the way? Life events? Lack of resources? No solid support system?​

Jot down what went wrong and ask: Do you see these same issues popping up in the new year? If so, how can you prepare?

2. Refresh your budget + savings plan

Chances are, 2026 won’t be a replica of 2025. You might have a new job, a recent move, or added expenses. That’s why it’s crucial to update your budget and savings plan. Here’s where to start.

Consider any lifestyle changes affecting your income or expenses, and adjust your budget accordingly.

Next, pick your savings categories. We recommend an emergency fund first, plus sinking funds for fun goals like vacations or big purchases. Estimate costs for each and allocate budget portions to them.

Once you know what you’re saving for, set up automatic transfers. This lets you build savings effortlessly, without overthinking it.

3. Declutter your finances and life

With your budget refreshed, let’s do a declutter of your finances and life.​​

Start by gathering all your financial documents, both digital and physical, in one place.

Sort them into two categories: delete/shred, and keep.

Shred anything outdated or irrelevant; keep items for active accounts. For keepers, digitize where possible to save space.​

Organize what remains by category: tax documents, contracts, receipts, etc. Choose binders, separate folders, or a hard drive, whatever works for you.​

Lastly, sweep your home and remove one unused item from each room. Clearing your space can help you cultivate new energy for the new year.

4. Set clear financial goals for 2026

Now that you have a clear picture of your financial life in 2025, let’s use it to plan for 2026. Here’s how to set goals you’ll actually stick to.​

We recommend three tiers:

• Goal 1 (Long-term): Aim for year-end wins like boosting net worth, paying off big debt, or hitting a major savings target.​
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• Goal 2 (Mid-term): Target 4-6 month achievements, such as saving $2,000 or increasing your income to a set amount.
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• Goal 3 (Short-term): Focus on quick wins like paying off a credit card, going cash-only for a month, or planning no-spend months.

You can also break a big long-term goal into smaller, more manageable steps. For example, if your goal is to save $10,000 this year, aim for $5,000 by midyear, $2,500 each quarter, or about $833 per month.

5. Rebuild your routines with intention

Now that you’ve laid the foundation for 2026 by setting goals, let’s zoom in and restructure your routines.

Build daily habits around your goals, like reviewing finances weekly or checking your bank account before leaving the house. Leverage the habits you’ve already built to drive progress forward.

Next, reflect on how you want to spend your time in 2026. Where will you direct your energy: toward more self-care, extra free time, or something else you’ve been craving? Start creating routines that support the life you want to live.

6. Dream big, without guilt

The final step in your reset? Dream big.

What’s one bold move you can make in 2026? Consider taking a big, scary step toward your goals like asking for a raise, starting your own business, moving to a new state, or treating yourself to a solo date.​

Give yourself permission to step into the new version of you; the one who’s achieved those goals and lives the life you desire.

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This reset can feel empowering yet overwhelming. Focus on one thing at a time. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Your joy, focus, and commitment will help you not just survive 2026 but thrive.

Remember if you need help setting and keeping your goals for the new year, you can set up a call with one of our coaches.

Have a non-judgmental and helpful conversation on achieving your financial goals in 2026.

📺 On YouTube

If you missed it, catch the 2026 Goal Setting Session Replay!​

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Tune into the Clever Girl Finance YouTube channel for more great videos!

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📖 On the blog

• ​7 Factors to consider when choosing a career​​
• ​5 Ways to achieve your goals with examples to motivate you​​
• ​How to level up as a woman ready to achieve her goals!​​
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🎧 On the podcast

• Tune into thisthrow back episode! Starting Over Building A Life Focused On Financial Wellness + Tips For Single Moms with Anita Dakara

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Talk soon ❤️
Team CGF
(Bola & Kiersten)

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