5 Money Moves to Make Before 2025 Ends
Simple financial actions you can take right now to start 2026 stronger. We ran the numbers on each one.
The end of the year is the perfect time to check in on your finances. Not for guilt—for strategy.
Here are five concrete money moves you can make right now, with the actual math behind each one.
1. Know Your Net Worth (Yes, Really)
Most people have no idea what they're actually worth. They know their CTC, maybe their savings balance, but not the full picture.
The exercise:
- List all assets (savings, FDs, mutual funds, PPF, property, gold)
- List all debts (credit cards, personal loans, home loan)
- Subtract debts from assets
That number is your starting point for 2025.
Why it matters: You can't improve what you don't measure. Knowing your net worth gives you a baseline to track progress.
2. Attack High-Interest Debt First
If you're carrying credit card debt at 36%+ interest, that's a guaranteed 36% return on every rupee you pay off.
We ran the numbers on ₹2,00,000 in credit card debt at 36% APR:
| Payment Strategy | Time to Payoff | Total Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum only (₹4,000) | 10+ years | ₹4,00,000+ |
| ₹8,000/month | 36 months | ₹88,000 |
| ₹12,000/month | 21 months | ₹48,000 |
Doubling your payment doesn't just halve the time—it saves you ₹3,12,000 in interest.
Calculate your debt payoff timeline →
3. Check If Inflation Is Eating Your Savings
Money sitting in a 3% savings account while inflation runs at 6%? You're losing purchasing power every day.
₹5,00,000 in a low-yield account over 10 years:
- Nominal value: ₹6,72,000
- Real value (after 6% inflation): ₹3,75,000
You "saved" money but lost ₹1,25,000 in buying power.
***** FDs and debt funds offer 7-8%. Moving long-term savings could earn you significantly more while beating inflation.
See how inflation affects your money →
4. Complete Your 80C Investments Before March
The ₹1,50,000 Section 80C limit resets in April. Have you maximized it?
80C options:
- PPF (Public Provident Fund) - safe, tax-free returns
- ELSS (Equity Linked Savings) - higher growth potential, 3-year lock-in
- Life Insurance premiums
- Home loan principal repayment
- Children's tuition fees
The savings on ₹1,50,000 investment:
- Old regime (30% bracket): ₹46,800 tax saved
- That's essentially a guaranteed 31% return in year one
5. Calculate Your In-Hand Salary
Do you know exactly how much of your CTC you actually receive?
On a ₹15,00,000 CTC:
- After PF, tax, and deductions: ~₹10,50,000
- Monthly in-hand: ~₹87,500
Understanding your actual in-hand salary helps you budget realistically.
Calculate your exact in-hand salary →
The One Move That Matters Most
All five moves are valuable, but if you only do one thing: automate something.
- Auto-transfer ₹5,000/month to SIP
- Auto-pay extra toward your highest-rate debt
- Set up automatic PPF contributions
Automation removes willpower from the equation. The best financial plan is the one you actually follow.
Your December Checklist
- Calculate your current net worth
- List all debts with interest rates
- Check remaining 80C limit
- Move savings to higher-yield options
- Calculate your exact in-hand salary
- Automate at least one money move
Run your numbers:
Small moves compound. Start now.