Has your income changed? Did a new family member arrive (human or furry)? Did your roof leak, your car die, or your kid suddenly decide college is for them after all? Life, as they say, is a constant state of "plot twist!" So it’s time to ask yourself: Are you still on track with your money goals—or are you just winging it and hoping for the best?
You’ve probably noticed: your money doesn’t go as far as it did last year. That’s not just you—it’s inflation.
According to The Economist, inflation in the U.S. is still hanging around more than expected in 2025, especially when it comes to sticky costs like rent and services. What that means for you: your budget from January might already be outdated.
Now’s the time to adjust. \ Take a fresh look at your monthly spending. If groceries, gas, or health insurance have gone up (spoiler: they probably have), shift things around. Cut what doesn’t matter. Protect what does.
Remember that beautiful spreadsheet you made at the start of the year? Time to dust it off. Have there been big changes at home or work?
Even small changes can throw off your budget. So pull up your numbers and tweak, tweak, tweak.
This one’s easy, and super important. Your credit score affects everything from loan approvals to interest rates.
You can check it for free at:
Spot something weird? Dispute it ASAP. A good score gives you more power in all kinds of financial decisions.
If you’ve got money in stocks, retirement accounts, or a robo-advisor, now’s a good time to check how things are doing.
You don’t have to overhaul everything—but small course corrections now can save you big headaches later.
Still carrying that balance on a non-deductible, high-interest credit card? Yeah, time to tackle it.
Focus on paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first. That 20% APR is basically a financial leak in your wallet. Plug it.
If you're lucky enough to have a bit of financial tailwind this year, don’t let it sit in a low-yield checking account. Increase your retirement contributions—especially if your employer offers a 401(k) match. That’s free money. Take it.
Big life changes = tax ripple effects.
These changes might mean you’re withholding too much—or too little. Either way, talk to a tax professional or use a withholding calculator to make sure you're not giving Uncle Sam an interest-free loan… or racking up a future tax bill you can’t pay.
A quick mid-year money check-in doesn’t just help you course-correct—it gives you peace of mind.
So light a candle, put on your favorite playlist, and spend 30 minutes getting reacquainted with your money. It’s not sexy, but it is empowering.
And hey, if all goes well, maybe next year you can actually take that vacation instead of just saving it to your Pinterest board.