Charlottesville, VA (CVLLE RIGHT NOW) – Jill Schlesinger joined Morning News to discuss the importance of setting realistic and achievable financial goals for 2025. She emphasized that starting slow is crucial to success and warned against making overly ambitious resolutions. Many people struggle with their goals because they attempt too much too quickly, which can lead to burnout and failure. By focusing on gradual progress, individuals are more likely to stay on track and achieve their financial objectives.

Instead of setting vague, broad goals like “save more,” Schlesinger recommended that individuals focus on creating concrete, measurable targets. For example, she suggested committing to saving an extra $50 per pay period. This specific approach allows people to track their progress clearly and make steady improvements, which increases the likelihood of success. Breaking down financial goals into smaller, manageable amounts makes the process less overwhelming and more sustainable.

“If I can give you one big hint to achieving a financial resolution, it is to make sure you understand what is coming into your household and what is going out and you can lean on technology to do this,” she said.

Schlesinger also recommended using budgeting apps like PocketGuard or GoodBudget to track income and expenses, helping individuals manage their finances more effectively.

Listen here for the full conversation: