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 salary, maybe their checking balance, but not the full picture.
The exercise:
- List all assets (savings, investments, 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 dollar you pay off.
We ran the numbers on $10,000 in credit card debt at 22% APR:
| Payment Strategy | Time to Payoff | Total Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum only ($200) | 9+ years | $12,400+ |
| $400/month | 32 months | $3,100 |
| $600/month | 19 months | $1,800 |
Doubling your payment doesn't just halve the time—it saves you $9,300 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.
***** High-yield savings accounts now offer 4-5% APY. Moving your emergency fund could earn you an extra $400+/year on $10,000.
See how inflation affects your money →
4. Set One Specific Savings Goal
"Save more money" isn't a goal. "Save $5,000 for an emergency fund by June 2025" is a goal.
The math:
- Goal: $5,000
- Timeline: 6 months
- Required: $833/month
If that's too aggressive, extend the timeline:
- 12 months = $417/month
- 18 months = $278/month
Pick a number you can actually hit, then automate it.
5. Calculate Your "Freedom Number"
Your freedom number is how much you'd need invested to live off the returns.
Quick math (4% rule):
- Annual expenses × 25 = Freedom number
- $40,000/year spending = $1,000,000 needed
- $60,000/year spending = $1,500,000 needed
You might be closer than you think—or further. Either way, knowing the target changes how you plan.
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
- Auto-invest into your 401(k) or IRA
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 high-yield account
- Set one specific savings goal for 2025
- Calculate your freedom number
- Automate at least one money move
Run your numbers:
Small moves compound. Start now.