Clever Girl Finance isn’t just about money. We are about freedom, choices, and confidence. We know how overwhelming finances can feel, especially when you’re juggling career, family, and personal goals. That’s why we’ve built one of the largest personal finance communities for women, with over 100,000 women learning, growing, and winning with their money together.When you subscribe, you’re not just signing up for financial tips, you’re joining a movement. You’ll get access to relatable, judgment-free advice designed to help you ditch debt, save consistently, and invest with confidence. We break down money topics in a way that’s simple, practical, and actually fun. Whether you want to build your first emergency fund, pay off thousands in debt, or finally start building wealth for the long term, we’ve got the tools and support you need. With our resources, tools, and strategies, you’ll know you’re not alone on this journey. Subscribe today—because your future self deserves the financial freedom you’re dreaming of!
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🙋♀️ Reader Q&A: Every January I Set Big Financial Goals, But By February....
"Every January I set big financial goals, but by February, I’m already off track. How can I actually stick to my money resolutions this year?"
Brianna, we’ve all been there. We start the year feeling super ambitious and unstoppable. However, life gets in the way, and we lose motivation; before we know it, we’re behind on our goals.
But hope is not lost. We’re here to offer a different approach you can follow to achieve your goals. Let’s talk about how you can beat the February slump and keep your momentum going.
How to stick to your money goals this year (for real this time!)
Sticking to your money goals takes discipline and strategy. Along with these skills, pursuing your goals should also feel meaningful and joyful. With a solid plan and a little bit of fun, you can crush your goals this year. Here’s how:
Start with your why
Setting goals is easy. You think about what you want, and you set a goal around your desire. You may want to increase your income, so you set an income goal. You’re tired of driving a car that runs on gasoline and hope, so you set a goal to buy a new car.
Setting ambitious goals feels exciting. However, besides wanting a certain outcome, have you ever thought about the real reason you have certain goals?
Sometimes we set goals because they are connected to what we truly want. Other times, we set goals because we feel pressure to achieve something, keep up with others, or fulfill an expectation.
Before pursuing your goals, think about the real motivation. Your goals should be connected to not only what you want but also the lifestyle you want to achieve.
When you have a clear “why,” it fuels you to keep going, especially on the days when you feel like giving up.
As you define your why, remember that it’s okay to change your goals or let some of them go entirely.
Maybe you set a goal to earn a promotion at a job you don’t enjoy. In this case, it’s perfectly fine to shift your goal toward finding a new position with a healthier work environment instead.
Get specific
Setting goals like saving money, paying off debt, or starting to invest is great. However, goals like these can be hard to stick to because they lack specificity. Vague goals can lead you off course.
It’s like typing “mall” into your GPS, you might end up at the one down the street or three hours away. But when you enter a precise destination, your GPS can map out the exact route to get you there.
Your brain works the same way. When your goals are clear, you can create a defined direction and a concrete plan of action.
For example, instead of saying “I want to save money,” try setting a goal like “I want to save $3,000 for an emergency fund by June.” With that clarity, you can break down how much to save each month to reach your target. Specific goals are far more attainable than general ones.
If you’re having trouble getting specific with your goals, remember to use the SMART goal method: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and time-bound.
Break it down
Once you’ve created your SMART goals, let’s break them down into monthly and weekly action steps or mini goals. Say your goal is to save $3,000 for your emergency fund by November.
If you start saving now and have 9 months until November, you can set a mini goal of saving about $333 per month. From there, you can break it down even further to a weekly goal of about $83.
Focusing on saving $83 a week feels much more attainable than trying to come up with $3,000 all at once by the end of the year.
Whatever your goal is, consider the simplest way to make progress.
Automate what you can
Automating your savings, debt payments, and investments can help you reach your financial goals. Here are some ways to integrate automation so you can achieve them:
Stick to your budget by automating bill payments.
Use a calendar app to remind you of any quarterly payments.
Try out robo-advisors that can help you make automatic investments.
Put spending limits on your credit card to prevent overspending.
Set automatic transfers from your paycheck to your savings
Automation can make sticking to your goals that much easier.
Use visual reminders
Having a visual reminder of your goals and progress is another way to encourage yourself to keep going. There are many ways to track your progress.
You can use a journal, create your own progress tracker in Excel, use a savings challenge binder, or even post sticky notes on your bathroom mirror to remind yourself of your goals every morning.
Another handy tip is to set monthly or weekly alarms on your phone. You can use these alarms to remind you to make an extra payment toward your debt, review your budget, or move some money into savings.
Check in with yourself regularly
A fun way to keep yourself on track is to set up a money date for yourself. Set a date each month where you will not only review your finances, but you’ll make sure you’re staying on track with your goals.
Setting up a money date doesn’t have to feel like another obligation. Instead, you can make the experience enjoyable. Start by setting up the space. You can light candles, turn on your favorite songs, or cuddle up on the couch with your budget planner.
Next, pick a focus for your money date. It could be to track your expenses, see where you can save money, or track the progress of your goals. Be careful not to fill your date with too many tasks. Aim to create a pleasant experience around tracking your finances.
Let’s be honest, we can make all the plans to follow through, but sometimes life gets in the way. You might have to work extra hours or volunteer at your child’s school. When life becomes unpredictable, it’s important to stay flexible.
Give yourself grace if you only saved $45 one week instead of your target amount of $100. If you notice you’re often going over budget with miscellaneous purchases, rework your budget to free up some cash.
Remember, setbacks, unexpected expenses, and general annoyances are bound to happen. Yet one misstep doesn’t have to knock you off your path. Adjust to the changes and keep moving forward.
Celebrate small wins
As you start to make progress, remember to celebrate your wins; no matter how small. Celebrations can be big or small, and they’re a great way to acknowledge your efforts. These recognitions help you stay motivated.
Made a debt payment? Pat yourself on the back. Saved consistently for three months? Take a relaxing walk on the beach. Completed a no-spend week? Throw yourself a living room dance party!
The more you celebrate yourself, the easier it’ll be to keep making progress toward your goals.
Find accountability
Sticking to your goals is easier when someone holds you accountable. Text or call a friend you can rely on and see how they feel about being your accountability partner.
Whoever you choose, make sure you both set clear expectations about how you’ll support one another.
Keep the pressure low, and the consistency high
We live in a world that constantly pressures us to do more, think bigger, and go the extra mile. As a result, we often put unnecessary pressure on ourselves to do it all.
We might feel discouraged when we haven’t achieved every goal while working full-time, supporting a family, and remembering to drink enough water.
Let’s ease off some of that pressure by focusing on consistent progress rather than trying to accomplish all our goals in one month. Right now, choose one goal to put your full effort into. Consider what the easiest path might be to achieve it.
This could mean automating your savings or switching to cash-only spending to help you stay on budget.
Slow and steady progress leads to far better results than trying to do everything at once.
As we start the new year, try to focus less on the past and more on your present and future. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve failed or succeeded before; this new year is a blank slate. Be honest with yourself, but also compassionate, and you’ll find it easier to follow through on your goals.
PLUS when you sign up for a free course, you can schedule a completely free call with one of our amazing Clever Girl Finance mentors. WE ARE IN YOUR CORNER!
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Take control of your life and achieve your financial freedom. Join over 100,000 women in our community!
Clever Girl Finance isn’t just about money. We are about freedom, choices, and confidence. We know how overwhelming finances can feel, especially when you’re juggling career, family, and personal goals. That’s why we’ve built one of the largest personal finance communities for women, with over 100,000 women learning, growing, and winning with their money together.When you subscribe, you’re not just signing up for financial tips, you’re joining a movement. You’ll get access to relatable, judgment-free advice designed to help you ditch debt, save consistently, and invest with confidence. We break down money topics in a way that’s simple, practical, and actually fun. Whether you want to build your first emergency fund, pay off thousands in debt, or finally start building wealth for the long term, we’ve got the tools and support you need. With our resources, tools, and strategies, you’ll know you’re not alone on this journey. Subscribe today—because your future self deserves the financial freedom you’re dreaming of!
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Learn, plan, and grow! Check out our 30+ free courses, 40+ free worksheets, and our 1-on-1 coaching offerings! Did you get this email forwarded to you? Join thousands of women in the CGF community, follow us on Instagram, and watch on YouTube! View this and previous newsletters anytime: Online newsletters. Fuel the mission! ☕️ ❤️ Hello Reader, Welcome to a brand new year and a fresh start! The beginning of the year brings lots of excitement and possibilities. As you’re taking advantage of the...
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