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 maths behind each one.
1. Know Your Net Worth (Yes, Really)
Most people have no idea what they're actually worth. They know their salary, maybe their current account balance, but not the full picture.
The exercise:
- List all assets (savings, ISAs, pension, property, car value)
- List all debts (credit cards, loans, mortgage)
- 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 20%+ interest, that's a guaranteed 20% return on every pound you pay off.
We ran the numbers on £8,000 in credit card debt at 22% APR:
| Payment Strategy | Time to Payoff | Total Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum only (£160) | 9+ years | £9,900+ |
| £320/month | 32 months | £2,500 |
| £480/month | 19 months | £1,450 |
Doubling your payment doesn't just halve the time—it saves you £7,400 in interest.
Calculate your debt payoff timeline →
3. Check If Inflation Is Eating Your Savings
Money sitting in a 0.5% savings account while inflation runs at 3%? You're losing purchasing power every day.
£10,000 in a low-yield account over 10 years:
- Nominal value: £10,512
- Real value (after 3% inflation): £7,812
You "saved" money but lost £2,188 in buying power.
***** Easy access savings accounts now offer 4-5% AER. Moving your emergency fund could earn you an extra £400+/year on £10,000.
See how inflation affects your money →
4. Max Your ISA Allowance
Your £20,000 annual ISA allowance resets in April. Any unused allowance is gone forever.
Quick wins:
- Stocks & Shares ISA for long-term growth
- Cash ISA for emergency fund (tax-free interest)
- Lifetime ISA if you're saving for a first home (25% government bonus)
Even if you can't max it, every pound in an ISA grows tax-free forever.
5. Check Your Take-Home Pay
Do you know exactly how much of your salary you actually keep?
On a £50,000 salary:
- Gross: £50,000
- After tax & NI: ~£38,500
- Monthly take-home: ~£3,208
Understanding your actual take-home helps you budget realistically.
Calculate your exact take-home pay →
The One Move That Matters Most
All five moves are valuable, but if you only do one thing: automate something.
- Auto-transfer £100/week to savings
- Auto-pay extra toward your highest-rate debt
- Increase pension contributions by 1%
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
- Move savings to a higher-yield account
- Check remaining ISA allowance
- Calculate your exact take-home pay
- Automate at least one money move
Run your numbers:
Small moves compound. Start now.