As the year progresses, many of us start losing sight of the financial resolutions we made in January. But don’t worry—it’s never too late to take control of your finances and build lasting confidence in your financial future. Whether you’re looking to strengthen your savings, invest smarter, or simply feel more secure in your financial decisions, these three key strategies will help you stay on track.

1. Know Your Numbers

One of the biggest factors in building financial confidence is understanding exactly where you stand financially. Without a clear picture of your income, expenses, and investments, it’s easy to feel uncertain about your future.

Here’s how to get started:

• Track Your Income & Expenses – Use budgeting tools like You Need a Budget (YNAB) or Mint to monitor your spending and identify areas where you can save.
• Review Your Investment Performance – Look at your end-of-year investment reports to understand how your portfolio performed in 2024 and where adjustments might be needed.
• Calculate Your Net Worth – Your net worth is a snapshot of your financial health. Add up your assets (savings, investments, property) and subtract your liabilities (debts, loans) to get a clearer picture of your financial standing.

Confidence comes from knowledge—knowing your numbers helps you make informed decisions!

2. Take Action

Financial confidence isn’t just about knowing—it’s about doing. Once you’ve assessed your financial situation, it’s time to take steps that will improve your financial future.

Here are some simple but powerful actions you can take:

• Automate Your Savings & Investments – Set up automatic contributions to your 401(k), IRA, or a high-yield savings account. This ensures you’re consistently saving without even thinking about it.
• Increase Your Retirement Contributions – If possible, increase your 401(k) contributions to take full advantage of employer matching programs.
• Set Up a Debt Payoff Plan – If you have outstanding debts, create a structured plan using the snowball method (paying off small debts first) or the avalanche method (paying off high-interest debts first).

Taking action—no matter how small—creates momentum and builds confidence in your ability to manage your finances.

3. Expand Your Financial Knowledge

The more you know about personal finance, the more empowered and confident you’ll feel in making financial decisions. The best investors and financial planners never stop learning, and you don’t have to either!

Here’s how to stay informed:

• Read financial books & blogs – Consider reading classics like The Psychology of Money by Morgan Housel or I Will Teach You to Be Rich by Ramit Sethi.
• Listen to financial podcasts – Try The Financial Confessions or Afford Anything for expert insights.
• Attend financial workshops & webinars – Learning from industry professionals can help you stay ahead of market trends and make smarter investment decisions.

Knowledge is power—the more you learn, the more confident you’ll be in managing your money.

Final Thoughts: Make 2025 Your Year of Financial Confidence

Building financial confidence takes awareness, action, and education. By understanding your financial standing, making proactive changes, and continuously learning, you’ll set yourself up for a secure and successful future.

Start today! Take one step—whether it’s tracking your budget, automating your savings, or reading a financial book—and watch your confidence grow.

Check out Stacy’s other videos here!