Are Your New Year Financial Goals Slipping? Time to Reset

By mid-February, many New Year financial resolutions begin to lose momentum. This can be the perfect time to pause, reset and refocus.

When good intentions meet real life

The start of a new year often feels like a clean slate. Goals are set with optimism and motivation is high. But by the time February arrives, everyday life has a habit of intervening.

We recently spoke with several clients about their New Year financial goals. While their situations differed, a common theme emerged. Progress rarely follows a straight line, and a reset can be far more valuable than pushing on without reflection.

**Jane*: recognising when complexity increases**

Jane* shared that her financial life has become more complex over time. With growing assets, changing family circumstances and multiple financial moving parts, she realised that managing everything alone no longer felt efficient.

Her resolution this year was not about doing more. It was about leaning on professional advice to ensure her strategy remained appropriate and well structured. For Jane*, the value was not only in uncovering new opportunities but also in gaining reassurance that she was on the right track.

As financial circumstances evolve, seeking advice can be a practical step rather than a sign of uncertainty.

**Tom*: focusing on consistency over resolutions**

Tom* does not set traditional New Year resolutions. Instead, he focuses on longer-term financial goals and consistency over time. But this is not a “set and forget” mindset!

His priority this year is maintaining strong savings habits and gradually increasing income-producing assets. While the goals are long term, his focus remains on what can be controlled in the present. Regular contributions, patience and staying disciplined through changing conditions.

Tom’s approach is a reminder that steady progress often matters more than short-term milestones.

**Sarah*: aligning financial goals with wellbeing**

For Sarah*, financial goals and personal wellbeing are closely connected. After successfully reducing unnecessary spending and increasing investment contributions, she has shifted her focus slightly this year.

Rather than viewing health-related spending as a setback, she sees it as an investment. Redirecting a small portion of her budget towards better nutrition, fitness and preventative care supports both her wellbeing and her long-term financial stability.

This perspective highlights that good financial planning supports the whole person, not just the numbers.

**Michael*: thinking differently about income**

Michael* has traditionally focused on growth investments, assuming income strategies were something to consider later in life. This year, his thinking has shifted.

By starting to build income-focused investments earlier, he aims to create flexibility and options for the future. Small, deliberate changes now can have a meaningful impact over time.

It is a reminder that financial strategies do not need to be fixed. They can evolve as understanding and priorities change.

Why February is a good time to reset

By mid-February, enough time has passed to assess what is working and what is not. This makes it an ideal point to reset goals without judgement.

A reset might involve:

Revisiting priorities and adjusting expectations

Simplifying goals to make them more achievable

Seeking advice to bring structure and clarity

Letting go of goals that no longer fit can be just as important as recommitting to those that do.

Progress is rarely linear

Financial progress is not about perfection. It is about adapting, reassessing and staying engaged with your plan over time.

If your New Year resolutions feel like they are slipping, that does not mean you have failed. It may simply mean it is time to pause and realign.

Resetting with purpose

The most effective financial plans are flexible. They allow room for change while still keeping long-term objectives in sight.

A mid-February reset can help restore momentum and ensure your financial strategy reflects where you are now, not just where you hoped to be at the start of the year.

If you would like to revisit your financial goals or discuss whether your current strategy still suits your circumstances, Poole Advisory is here to help. Get in touch or book an appointment to start the conversation.

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This information contains general advice only, that is, advice which does not take into account your needs, objectives, or financial situation. You need to consider the appropriateness of that general advice in light of your personal circumstances before acting on the advice. You should obtain and consider the Product Disclosure Statement for any product discussed before making a decision to acquire that product. You should obtain financial or credit advice that addresses your specific needs and situation before making investment or borrowing decisions. Taxation information is based on our interpretation of the relevant laws as at 1 July 2018. While every care has been taken in the preparation of this information, Prosperitas Partners Pty Ltd does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information. The case studies are hypothetical, for illustration purposes only and are not based on actual returns.

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