Every new year, we often have new goals or resolutions. Your finances may not have come up in those this year, but it probably should have.
Maybe you're sitting pretty, atop a pile of gold. Or, like many of us, each month is an exciting journey to make it through with any money left over 😅.
Wherever you're at, here are seven great steps you can take in 2025.
1. Start Saving Money
Building a savings habit is one of the most powerful financial moves you can make. If you don’t already have a savings account, now is the time to open one. Radiant Credit Union offers competitive rates on savings accounts to help you grow your money faster.
Maybe you're already saving money in your savings account. That's awesome! In 2025, go ahead and take the next step by opening a share certificate, sometimes called "CDs." Share certificates offer higher returns for your money compared to most savings accounts. They're a great next step toward reaching your long-term financial goals.
2. Track Your Spending
You can’t manage what you don’t measure.
Find a budgeting app like Mint, YNAB (You Need a Budget), or EveryDollar to track where your money goes each month. These tools make it easy to see patterns in your spending and identify areas where you can cut back. This knowledge is crucial for you to be better equipped to make informed decisions and stick to your financial goals.
3. Start an IRA
It’s never too early (or too late) to invest in your retirement.
Opening an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) is a smart way to save for the future while taking advantage of tax benefits. Radiant offers Traditional and Roth IRAs, so you can choose the option that best fits your financial situation. The earlier you start, the more time your money has to grow.
Wait, you already have a 401k? That's cool, here's your next step for 2025 [link to max your 401k post]
4. Set Up SwitchCards
If you haven’t tried our SwitchCards tool yet, you’re missing out on a major life hack. SwitchCards makes updating and replacing your payment information a breeze, whether you’re dealing with an expired card or switching to a new one. Spend less time managing your payment details and more time focusing on what matters.
There's not much to this step, but it's definitely one of the biggest time-savers you can set up. Don't sleep on SwitchCards – start now.
5. Secure Your Money
Now that you're making some pro money moves, it's even more important to keep your safe and secure.
Start by updating your passwords – stop using the same one for everything! Then go and enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. Radiant’s Card Manager App adds another layer of security. The app let's you monitor transactions, set spending limits, and even freeze your card if it’s lost or stolen.
These small steps can make a big difference in keeping your money safe.
6. Embrace Digital Banking
If you’re not already using digital banking, 2025 is the year to take that step.
The rewards far outweigh the risks. And you just secured your money in the step above, so let's get on it.
Setting up eBanking and Radiant's mobile app lets you do SO much more, and all of it way more easily.
You can manage your accounts, view your balances, pay bills, deposit checks, and transfer money—all from the convenience of your phone or computer.
It’s secure, convenient, and designed to help you stay on top of your finances.
7. Show Interest in Your Interest
Loan interest rates can have a significant impact on your finances, so it’s worth checking them regularly.
If you’re paying high interest on a car loan, home loan, or credit card, refinancing might save you money.
Radiant offers competitive rates and personalized advice to help you find the best solution for your needs.
A quick review of your rates on a regular basis could lead to big savings over time.
What are you waiting for?
So, there you have it. The world is a crazy place these days and you owe it to your future self to build a strong financial foundation.
There are plenty of things outside of our control, so let's do everything we're able to do to take control of our financial future.
Radiant Credit Union is here to support you every step of the way—from opening your first savings account to planning for retirement.
Let’s make this your best financial year yet!