The beginning of the year can feel like a lot when it comes to money. The holidays are over, the credit card statements are rolling in, and suddenly everyone is talking about budgets, goals, and “getting it together.”
Before you make big plans or changes, we encourage something simpler: a money check-in.
This isn’t about guilt, shame, or perfection. It’s about understanding where you are right now—so you can make thoughtful, realistic choices moving forward.
1. What surprised me about my spending?
Take a moment to think back over the last couple of months.
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Was there a category that cost more than you expected?
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Did you spend more on convenience, travel, or gifts than planned?
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Were there expenses you forgot to account for?
Surprise isn’t failure, it’s information. Noticing patterns is the first step toward feeling more in control.
2. What stressed me out the most financially?
Money stress often shows up in specific moments:
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Checking your bank balance
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Paying credit cards
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Thinking about upcoming bills
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Trying to plan for the year ahead
Identifying what caused stress helps you focus your energy. You don’t need to fix everything, just the thing that’s weighing on you the most.
3. What actually worked well?
This question matters just as much as the others.
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Did you save consistently, even if it was a small amount?
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Were you able to avoid debt in certain areas?
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Did you communicate well about money with your family or partner?
Progress doesn’t have to be dramatic to be real. Take note of what you did right and build from there.
4. What’s one habit I’d like to adjust this year?
Instead of setting a long list of resolutions, choose one small habit to focus on.
That might be:
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Setting up automatic savings
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Cooking at home one more night a week
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Checking in on your finances once a month
Small, consistent changes are far more sustainable than big, short-lived ones.
5. What kind of support would make this easier?
You don’t have to figure everything out on your own.
Support can look like:
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Tools that make budgeting or saving simpler
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Learning alongside others who are in a similar place
The right support can turn stress into confidence and confusion into clarity.
A January money check-in is about starting aware. Wherever you are right now is okay. With the right information, tools, and support, you can take the next step forward with confidence. At Pathway Financial Education, we’re here to help you build financial skills that last, this month and all year long.
