JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As people look for fresh motivation in the new year, financial experts say it’s never too late to set meaningful money goals.

A NerdWallet report found more than half of Americans plan to take at least one significant financial action this year, such as investing in stocks, starting a business or buying a home.

Ashleigh Robinson with First Florida Credit Union says that the surge shows people are becoming more intentional about their finances, but she warns motivation alone won’t lead to lasting success. 

“Investing in yourself financially is just going back to that intentionality when it comes to your finances,” Robinson said.

She explains that real financial stability starts with understanding where your money goes. 

“If you don’t know where your money is going, you can’t set it up to work for you,” Robinson said. 

She recommends tracking spending, identifying “leaks” like unused subscriptions or auto-renewals, and starting with a realistic budget.

Robinson also encourages automating bill payments and savings to help people stay consistent. Automation, she says, removes guesswork, reduces stress, and helps prevent missed payments, which can impact your credit score.

Still, Robinson cautions against setting goals that are too ambitious too quickly. 

“There’s certainly some mistakes you can make — missed payments along the way, biting off more than you can chew,” she said. “If you’ve set a big goal and it’s not achievable, then you’re going to struggle to reach it, and that’s going to discourage you in the long term.”

By focusing on small, achievable habits and viewing missteps as learning opportunities, Robinson says anyone can begin investing in themselves and build long-term financial confidence.