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12 Months of Financial Planning: Make 2025 the Year of Better Financial Management

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4 MIN. READ

How do you see yourself growing in 2025? Are you looking at colleges with your soon-to-be high school graduate? Perhaps you envision celebrating being debt-free, proposing, or even preparing for parenthood.

One thing is certain: A better future starts with consistent financial planning. Here are simple steps you can take each month to make 2025 the year you take control of your finances!


January: Meet with a PFCU advisor

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in more than 73 years of serving the South Florida community, it’s that no two households have the same financial needs.

A good financial plan should be adapted to your unique situation. Not sure where to get started? Meet with a Power Financial Credit Union (PFCU) advisor to review your individual goals and create a personalized plan.

This will be your financial roadmap for 2025!


February: Rethink your budget

Better budgeting doesn’t have to be complicated. Experts recommend spending:
  This rule of thumb won't necessarily fit everyone's unique needs. We recommend reviewing your spending to understand where your money goes and prioritizing financial goals like saving, investing, or paying off debt.


March: Pay off a credit card

Making room for saving or investing is easier if you have one less credit card payment to worry about. Your mission for March: Take a credit inventory, find the card with the highest interest rate (or lowest balance), and put together a plan to pay it off ASAP.

Both of Power Financial Credit Union’s Visa® credit cards have very attractive credit card balance transfer offers to help you save on interest payments and get out of debt faster. 


April: Time to invest

What will your finances look like 10 or 20 years from now? For a brighter future, wealth management should be a priority, starting with investing.

You don’t have to go big. Making your first investment can be a great goal for April!

If you already have investments, now would be a good time to ask a few questions:
 
  • How are they performing?
  • Are they still adapted to your risk tolerance?
  • What could you do to diversify?
  • Are you investing enough of your monthly income?
For guidance, think about using our friends at Power Investment Services, available through LPL Financial. Whether you have an existing portfolio or are new to investing, one of our investment experts can answer your questions and create a personalized investment plan. As a member of Power Financial Credit Union you can schedule a free consultation. 


May: Planning for college-bound kids

Congratulations on making it through another school year! Whether you have a little one in pre-school or a teen in high school, it’s never too early or too late to save up for college.

Did you know that college costs an average of $38,000 per year? Make sure you have enough saved up by opening an education savings account to take advantage of tax-free earnings.


June: The road to homeownership

June is traditionally a busy time for home sales. It’s the perfect opportunity to take a peek at listings and get an idea of what homes go for in South Florida!

Would homeownership make sense for you? If yes, it’s time to put together a savings plan for a down payment or perhaps learn more about our program for first-time homebuyers.

For current homeowners, June could be a good time to compare mortgage refinance rates or consider whether moving could be a smart financial decision given current home values.


July: Build an emergency fund

Here’s a fun project for July: turn saving and cutting costs into a game for the whole family. Aim to save up at least $1,000 for an emergency fund. 

Do you already have an emergency fund? Consider adding to it or creating a fund for a different financial goal you’ve been putting off.


August: Holiday savings

It might be too early to get into the Christmas spirit, but August is actually a good time to start budgeting for the holidays.

Our secret? Open a club savings account! There are four months left until December, which gives you plenty of time to put money aside for gifts and fun holiday activities.
 

September: Financial literacy

Back-to-school season always seems to come too soon after the summer. This year, make learning fun by turning financial literacy into a family matter!

Get started with these important money lessons for a refresher on key financial concepts every adult should master. For your kids and teens, look into getting the Greenlight app for a fun introduction to financial responsibility. The earlier they start learning about managing money, the better off they will be in the future.
 

October: Get a better deal

In October, try looking into refinancing your current loan with the highest interest rate. In most cases, credit unions will offer a better interest rate when refinancing an auto or recreational loan.

You should also think about a balance transfer if you have a credit card with a high balance. Consolidating or refinancing high-interest debt can help you save money over time and put you in a better position financially.
 

November: Boost your credit score

Gaining a few points on your credit score is easier than you think. Your task for November is to get your free credit report and review it to identify opportunities to improve your score.

While you’re looking at your credit report, take a look at our easy tips for boosting your score. A higher credit score can save you money on loans and improve your financial opportunities.
 

December: Are you on track for retirement?

As the year comes to an end, it’s time to start thinking about financial planning for 2026. Why not make retirement a top priority?

We recommend using this checklist and looking into opening an IRA with PFCU if your employer doesn’t offer a retirement plan. Retirement may seem far away, but the sooner you start saving, the easier it will be to reach your retirement goals.
 

A Year of Financial Planning With PFCU

It's a lot to take in, but breaking down financial planning into small monthly goals makes taking control of your finances much more achievable.

Remember: You don’t have to do it alone! At PFCU, we’re here to support you every step of the way and help you reach your goals. PFCU has an entire family of banking products adapted to your unique needs, from savings accounts to credit cards, investment services, loan refinancing options, and more. 

And if you’re not sure where to start with financial management, schedule an appointment with one of our advisors for one-on-one financial planning!