New Year, New You: How to Get Ahead in 2025
As we welcome 2025, we start fresh, the perfect place to create new opportunities to set yourself up for a great year. Whether you’re returning to work or simply looking to improve your routines. Here are practical steps to help you make the most of your New Year resolutions and achieve them!
Sharing your New Year resolution
Sharing your goals with others can significantly enhance your chances of success.
- Accountability: When you share your goals with others, it adds a layer of responsibility. Knowing others are aware of your resolution motivates you to stay consistent and follow through.
- Support from others: Friends, family, or colleagues can provide encouragement, advice, and even practical help. Sharing your aspirations creates a network of cheerleaders who can help you stay on track.
- Formalising your goal: Verbalising or writing down your resolution makes it feel more concrete. Sharing it with others turns an idea into a commitment, making it easier to stay focused and committed.
Prioritise your health and wellbeing
- Set tangible health goals: Whether it’s meal prepping, exercising, or prioritising sleep, minor changes can lead to lasting benefits.
- Schedule a check-up: Take care of preventive health by booking your GP visit now.
- Create a wellness to-do list: Include everything from fitness goals to mindfulness practices and add deadlines to keep yourself accountable.
Establish healthy habits and routines
- Set a morning routine: A structured start to your day can help you feel more in control. Begin with simple practices like stretching, or by making simple changes towards your mental health, like not checking your phone as soon as you rise.
- Track your habits: Whether you’re committing to daily walks or reducing screen time, tracking your habits makes it easier to stay accountable.
- Get organised: Start each day with a to-do list to prioritise your tasks. This helps break down big goals into manageable steps and provides a sense of accomplishment as you tick off items. Setting up reminders as benchmarks to meet longer term goals works well to ensure you’re keeping on track.
Prepare for back-to-work success
- Declutter your space: A tidy workspace supports a tidy mind. Dedicate time to clearing out your desk or digital files and consider donating or recycling unwanted items to reduce clutter and make room for new opportunities.
- Upskill for 2025: Consider online courses or workshops to further advance your career or personal interests.
Organise your finances
- Check your KiwiSaver contributions: A new year is a great time to review your contributions and make sure you’re on track for contributing towards your first home or your retirement goals. Our financial advisers are available to help you review your KiwiSaver contributions and find the right fund for you.
- Audit and optimise subscriptions: Take a comprehensive look at your subscriptions, from streaming services to gym memberships. Cancel any that no longer add value, consolidate services where possible, negotiate better deals, explore free alternatives, and set reminders to regularly review and optimise your spending.
- Set a budget: Planning your spending early in the year ensures you stay in control. Creating a financial budget can help with this, for reviewing financial tasks like reviewing expenses or setting up savings plans
- Reassess your Insurance needs: Strengthening your self-insurance ability is vital as life changes. Has your debt reduced, or has your KiwiSaver or income increased? Speak to our advisers, and consider all your options, by reviewing your protection plan.
Reassess your insurance needs
- Update your policies: Life changes like a new home, child, or job may mean you need to adjust your coverage. Speaking with one of our financial advisers on personal insurance cover can ensure you’re on the right track.
- Health insurance: Ensure you’re covered for your current and future needs. The start of the year is also a great time to book in health checks to ensure you’re in optimal physical and mental health.
- To-Do Tip: Create a list of insurance policies to review and make it part of your annual planning. Looking to consolidate your insurances? Our team specialises in finding the ideal policy tailored to your needs — contact us today to streamline and optimise your coverage.
Buying a home: a key financial milestone
- Build equity: Unlike renting, owning a home allows you to build equity, turning your property into a valuable long-term asset.
- Enjoy stability: Homeownership provides a sense of security and protects you from rising rental costs, offering peace of mind for the future.
- Make it achievable: Whether you’re buying your first home or upgrading, careful financial planning and advice can help turn this goal into reality. Connect with us to explore strategies for making your homeownership dreams a reality.
Plan for retirement: it is never too early, or too late!
- Start early for growth: The sooner you start planning for retirement, the more time your savings can grow through compound interest. A little now can mean a lot later.
- Mid-career adjustments: If you are midway through your career, there’s still time to make a significant impact. Maximise your KiwiSaver contributions and explore additional investment options.
- Late-stage planning: Even if you are approaching retirement, there are still ways to prepare. Downsizing, adjusting your lifestyle, and seeking professional advice through Apex Advice can help create a secure financial future.
With these steps, you will be well on your way to making 2025 your best year yet. To-do lists, along with thoughtful planning and reflection, can turn your goals into reality. Let’s embrace the new year with focus and positivity—one task at a time.
