At the beginning of the year, Allan and his friend John set out with big dreams: financial freedom and smart investments. Fast forward to July, and those ambitions have taken a back seat. Still, all is not lost. No matter how chaotic the first half of the year has felt, a mindset shift and a few intentional moves can change your 2025 financial ambitions.
According to Valentine, ABC Bank Customer Service Officer, many of us are guilty of tapping our cards or paying via mobile money without checking if our wallets can handle it, while for others, not making a budget. For others, it’s impulse spending masked as self-care.
Over time, these unchecked habits lead to financial strain, stalled savings goals, and the constant cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. To break the cycle, Valentine highlights three habits worth picking up in the second half of the year:
- Monitor your subscription. The random premium service you signed up for and never used is funds that could have been directed to other needs. Monitor and stop subscriptions that no longer serve you.
- Have an accountability partner. With an accountability partner, you will be able to talk about how each of you spent their cash with no shame, learn from each other and grow together.
- Automate your savings. Set up a standing order to move funds to your savings the same day your salary hits your account. This helps you not to save ‘what’s left’ but to prioritise your savings.
The first half of the year is gone, but there is still time to reflect, reset, and recommit. Whether it’s ditching impulse spending or just learning to say “no”, your financial future is built on the small choices you make today. So, what money habit dragged you down these past six months? And what new habits are you embracing in the remaining months of 2025?