Count Your Financial Wins - and Manifest Your Next Ones!
Nov 13, 2026
You’ve made it to the last two months of the year. Congratulations! But before we start looking ahead to the new year, it is just as important to look back.
Reviewing where you struggled can help you learn from mistakes and strategize your next steps, but don’t forget to count your wins, too! Financial wins, even the small ones, can help you see the progress you’ve made and stay motivated.
Your wins do not have to be related to your longer-term goals, either. In fact, recognizing your minor successes, even the unrelated ones, can provide a positive psychological boost that encourages good habits and inspires future positive choices. As you’re looking back over your year, start with a list of your wins.
Having trouble coming up with your successes? Here are some examples to get you thinking:
- Got a great birthday gift for a loved one.
- Splurged on yourself with zero regrets.
- Kept the weekly grocery bill lower two weeks in a row.
- Learned a new recipe using ingredients you already had.
- Made more than the minimum payment on your credit card.
- Contributed a little more to your savings accounts one month.
- Cleaned out your closet and donated a bunch of old clothes.
- Stayed in budget on your last road trip.
Give yourself a pat on the back for your hard work! Then, check in on your longer-term goals and make sure you’re still on track. Perspective is crucial – for example, if your savings goal was $10,000 but you only managed $5,000, that’s still $5,000 more in savings than you had last year. This part of your financial checkup is to make sure you understand where your finances are currently, and that you’re satisfied with your progress.
Once you’ve reviewed your past year, it’s time to plan for the next.
Set SMART Goals for the New Year
Set yourself up for more wins with careful planning and goals you can actually meet! As you prepare for the new year, consider using the SMART framework to outline your plans.
- Specific: Clearly define one, small, actionable goal. Avoid vague resolutions.
o DO: “I will save 5% more of my paycheck each month.”
o DON’T: “I will save more this year.”
- Measurable: Make sure progress towards your goal can actually be tracked.
o DO: “I’ll fit my extra savings into my budget and watch them add up.”
o DON’T: “I’m sure whatever I save will be enough.”
- Achievable: Set realistic goals. Be honest with yourself.
o DO: “If I cancel one of my subscriptions, I can save that money instead.”
o DON’T: “I will immediately save 10% of my paycheck and worry about my other expenses later.”
- Relevant: Connect your smaller goals to your larger, long-term goals.
o DO: “Increasing my savings now will help me afford a down payment on a house in five years.”
o DON’T: “I’m sure something will come up that I’ll want to spend my money on.”
- Time-Bound: Set a clear, achievable timeframe to keep yourself on track.
o DO: “I will keep this savings habit going for at least six months.”
o DON’T: “I’ll go for as long as I can.”
More financial wins are in your future. If you need any extra help budgeting or managing your finances, we are always here for you. Remember to stay positive – you got this!
References:
- https://www.wealthenhancement.com/blog/financial-vital-signs-to-check-annually
- https://www.yourmoneyline.com/blog/achievable-and-clear-financial-goals
