We're officially in the final stretch of the year, and you know what that means: holiday parties, family gatherings, and probably a little too much spending on gifts, decorations, and celebrations. But before we get caught up in all the festivities and lose sight of our financial goals, I want to remind you of something important: it's not too late to make some powerful moves with your money before the year ends.

Here's the thing so many people get wrong: you don't have to wait until January 1st to start improving your finances. In fact, the last few weeks of the year are actually the perfect time to reflect on your spending patterns, reset your financial priorities, and take small but mighty actions that will set you up for success in 2026.

Think about it…most people wait until New Year's to think about their money goals, but by starting now, you're already ahead of the game. You can finish 2025 strong and hit the ground running in January instead of scrambling to figure out where to start.

So in today's episode, I'm sharing 10 quick financial wins you can knock out before the ball drops on New Year's Eve. These are simple, achievable things that don't require hours of work or major lifestyle changes, but they can give you clarity, confidence, and serious momentum going into a brand-new year.

From cleaning up your finances to building quick wins and resetting your money mindset, these actionable steps will help you close out the year feeling proud and prepared.

Here's What You'll Learn in This Episode:

How to conduct a meaningful 2025 spending review and identify problem areas

Strategies for finding and eliminating wasted subscription spending

Setting up financial automation to build consistency in 2026

Creating sinking funds for specific 2026 goals and priorities

Maximizing credit card rewards and cash back before year-end

Making strategic extra debt payments for psychological momentum

Reviewing and celebrating your savings progress (no matter the amount)

Goal-setting techniques to enter 2026 with clear financial direction

Money mindset reflection practices for lasting behavior change

Why celebrating progress is essential for building financial confidence

Don't Wait for January:

While everyone else is scrambling to figure out their New Year's resolutions, you can finish 2025 strong and start 2026 already ahead. These 10 achievable wins take minimal time but create maximum impact on your financial confidence and trajectory.

Here's a glance at this episode:

• [01:54] The 10 financial wins are broken up into 3 segments: cleaning up your finances, quick wins for momentum, and reflecting and resetting your mindset.
• [03:45] 2025 Spending Review: Analyzing where your money went and identifying overspending patterns (plus tracking system resources).
• [07:50] Credit Card Rewards Strategy: Cashing out points to fund holiday spending or accelerate financial goals.
• [11:25] Setting your goals is a must, money goals included! Start thinking about your 2026 goals now to start fresh January 1st.
• [14:59] Progress Celebration: How gratitude builds financial confidence and empowers better money decisions.

Podcast Break Announcement:

The City Girl Savings Podcast will be taking a short break during Q1 2026. We'll be sharing favorite past episodes to keep you inspired, then returning with brand-new content starting the first Monday in April 2026! Stay connected via Instagram @citygirlsavings and our newsletter for updates.

Rate, Review, & Follow:

Did you love this episode? Are you a fan of the City Girl Savings podcast? If so, please consider rating and reviewing the show!

This helps spread the word about City Girl Savings, and hopefully helps more people make the best money moves possible on the way to their dream life!

To leave a review on Apple Podcasts, click here, scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select "Write a Review." Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode!

Also, please make sure you're subscribed and following the City Girl Savings podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube!

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Grab your CGS Personal Finance Portfolio

Learn about Raya's Financial Focus Coaching Program

Follow City Girl Savings on Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok

Join the City Girl Savings Facebook Group

Subscribe to the City Girl Savings Newsletter!