Kick Off the New Year with a Solid Plan

by Michael J. Garry
Esquire, CFP®, MBA
Founder & CEO of Yardley Wealth Management

Picture this: It’s December 31st, and you’re looking back at 2025, celebrating not just the holidays, but your financial victories. I’ve witnessed countless success stories, and they all begin with the same crucial first step – taking action in January. Let’s map out your path to financial success, but this time, we’re doing it differently.

The Million-Dollar Mindset Shift

Forget New Year’s resolutions – they often fade faster than your holiday decorations. Instead, let’s talk about your money story. What’s the narrative you’ve been telling yourself about wealth? Are you the hero who overcomes financial obstacles, or the side character watching others succeed? As your CFP®, I’m here to help you rewrite that story.

Think of your finances like your favorite streaming series – each episode (or month) should keep you engaged and moving toward an exciting finale. Your mission: Transform from a passive viewer into the director of your financial story.

Becoming Your Own Money Detective

Channel your inner Sherlock Holmes. Your first case? The Mystery of the Vanishing Dollar. Pull out your bank statements like case files. Where’s the money really going? You might be surprised to find your daily coffee isn’t the culprit – it’s often the unused subscriptions playing hide and seek with your bank account.

Create a “Finance Detective’s Journal”:

• Track unexpected money drains (those sneaky auto-renewals)
• Document your financial “aha!” moments
• Note patterns in your spending triggers

Creating Your Wealth Blueprint

Imagine your finances as a LEGO® construction set. Each financial goal is a unique creation, but you need the right pieces in the right places. Let’s build your masterpiece:

• Foundation Blocks: Emergency fund and basic insurance
• Support Structures: Retirement accounts and investments
• Decorative Elements: Lifestyle goals and dreams

Setting Your Money on Autopilot

Think of automation as your financial sous chef – preparing ingredients while you focus on the main dish. Create a system where your money automatically flows to the right places, like a well-choreographed dance. No more forgetting to pay bills or transfer to savings – your money moves while you sleep.

Building Your Financial Force Field

Your wealth needs protection like a garden needs a fence. We’ll create multiple layers of security:

• The Shield: Proper insurance coverage
• The Moat: Legal protections and estate planning
• The Watchtower: Regular credit monitoring and identity protection

Planting Your Money Trees

Investment isn’t just about stocks and bonds – it’s about planting seeds that grow into sturdy money trees. Some will bear fruit quickly (short-term investments), while others need time to develop strong roots (long-term holdings). Like any good gardener, you’ll need patience, consistency, and the right tools.

Future-Proofing Your Finances

Think of this as creating your financial time capsule. What do you want your future self to thank you for? We’ll build flexibility into your plan because life, like the weather, is unpredictable. Your financial plan should bend like a palm tree in the wind, not break like a rigid oak.

The Daily Money Minute

Dedicate just one minute each day to your finances. It could be checking your accounts, reviewing a bill, or reading about a new investment strategy. Small actions, consistently taken, create powerful results.

Remember, this journey isn’t about deprivation – it’s about building a relationship with your money that energizes and empowers you. Think of me, as your financial fitness trainer. I’m here to help you develop the strength, flexibility, and endurance your finances need.

Ready to write your 2025 financial success story? Let’s start with page one. Sometimes the most important step is simply beginning the journey. As your guide in financial planning, I’m here to help you navigate each chapter of your financial story, ensuring it’s one worth telling at next year’s holiday gathering.