Reflecting on Your Financial Growth in 2025

Reflection is critical to financial wellness. By taking a long hard look at what went well and what could have gone better in 2025, you’ll have a wealth of information to help support even more healthy financial growth next year. Here are six key questions to ask.  

What were your biggest expenses? 

Start your end-of-year reflection with a look at where the bulk of your spending was concentrated. For many people, this will be rent, utilities and childcare—but for others, it may be vehicle maintenance and travel. Understanding your biggest expenses will help you to budget smartly in the new year or cut down on costs where possible.  

How did you credit profile change?  

Look at your credit score at the beginning and the end of 2025. Did this number change? How and why? Often, changes to a credit score have to do with changes to debt—so you’ll also want to reflect on what debt was paid off and what new debt was incurred. If debt has been steadily rising, consider a consolidation strategy to lower your interest rate.  

Which financial goals did you meet?  

If you made money goals at the start of the year, now is the time to review your progress and successes. Did you save what you intended, or stick to a monthly budget, or pay off credit cards? Celebrate the wins and be honest about which goals weren’t met and why—then, use those reflections to help you make ambitious but achievable goals for the next twelve months.  

How did you balance long- and short-term finances?  

Planning for the future while staying on top of next month’s budget is one of the most challenging aspects of financial wellness. Evaluate your balance of long- and short-term financial planning in 2025, including retirement savings, keeping up with mortgage payments, and avoiding credit card debt on a month-to-month basis. Does either area need more focus next year?  

Where did surprise costs come from? 

Unexpected expenses can quickly tip your budget from balanced to in the red. Take a closer look at any surprise costs in 2025. These often include home repairs and vehicle repairs, but also consider smaller expenses that pulled more money from your account than expected. Hopefully, understanding last year’s surprises can help to build a better budget for the year ahead.  

What mistakes were made?  

While it’s important to celebrate financial wins, it’s also important to consider what could have gone better. From ignoring a budget, to giving in to impulse buys, to prioritizing spending over saving—we all make financial mistakes. The answer isn’t to strive for perfection, but to be honest about what could go better next time. As always, steady progress is the goal.