5 Ways to get financially fit before the end 2025

This article was sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union. Navy Federal Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA.

As we step into 2025, it’s time for many military members to reflect on the past year, set goals, and make adjustments for the upcoming year. It doesn’t come as much of a surprise to us that among the top New Year’s resolutions every year are to lose weight and save money. Achieving both fiscally and physically fit requires commitment, discipline, and the right tools. Whether you’re aiming to eliminate debt, save more, or make smarter financial decisions, these five strategies will help you shape up your finances in 2025.

1. Define your fitness goals

Just like deciding to run a marathon or lose 10 pounds, financial fitness begins with clear goals. Are you looking to pay off debt, save for a big purchase, or build an emergency fund? Write down your objectives and break them into manageable milestones. For example:

• Pay off $5,000 in credit card debt by paying $450 per month on all balances.
• Save $10,000 for a down payment on a house by putting $850/month.
• Build a $5,000 emergency fund by contributing $420 per month.

Tracking your progress could help keep you motivated and on course. Use budgeting apps or spreadsheets to monitor your spending and saving habits.

2. Clean up your diet

In fitness, cutting out junk food is a quick win. Financially, identifying and reducing unnecessary expenses can help you find extra cash to allocate toward your goals. Start by auditing your monthly subscriptions, dining-out habits, and impulse purchases. Small changes can add up:

• Think moderation over deprivation. You don’t have to cut out your lattes and foodie fun completely! Just set a budget for each category and do your best to stick to it each month. 
• Conduct a subscription service audit monthly. Is your favorite show you watch on Netflix on hiatus? Consider canceling until it starts back up again. Have 12 audiobook credits you won’t use anytime soon? Cut. It. Out. 
• Shop with a list to avoid unnecessary splurges. Better yet, opt for delivery or pickup so you avoid the big shiny object syndrome, also known as impulse spending.

3. Lift heavy to build strength

Debt consolidation is like strength training for your finances—it builds the foundation for long-term financial health. If paying down debt is a goal for you this year, consider transferring your current debt to a card with a lower interest rate. Navy Federal Credit Union is an excellent option because it actually has no balance transfer fees, unlike the standard 5% charged by other institutions. Navy Federal also offers powerful tools to help you tackle high-interest debt with these offers available 1/2/25-3/31/25:

• cashRewards and cashRewards Plus offer: Get 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on balance transfers made within your first 60 days. After that, a variable APR between 15.15%-18% applies.¹ Plus, enjoy $250 cash back when you spend $2,500 within 90 days.²
• Navy Federal More Rewards American Express^® Card offer: Earn 20,000 bonus points (a $200 value) when you spend $2,000 within your first 90 days of account opening.³ Like cash Rewards, this card offers a 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on balance transfers made within your first 60 days. After that, a variable APR between 15.15% and 18% applies.¹

• Platinum offer: This card is designed for serious debt consolidation with its 0% intro APR for 12 months from account opening on balance transfers made within your first 60 days. After that, a variable APR between 11.24% and 18% applies.⁴
• Balance Transfer Calculator: Crunch the numbers on how much you could save on interest this year. This Navy Federal tool helps users calculate the amount of savings they could expect by adjusting their rates and payments. 

4. Focus on core strength

Strengthening your core in fitness means building stability and resilience—the same applies to financial fitness. Begin by establishing an emergency fund that covers three months of living expenses. Once you’ve established that safety net, consider:

• Increasing contributions to your retirement accounts, such as a TSP, 401(k) or IRA.
• Investing in diversified index funds or ETFs (Exchange-Traded Funds) to grow your wealth over time.

Utilize automatic transfers to ensure consistency. Even small contributions add up over time.

5. Use the right equipment

The right tools make achieving fitness goals more manageable, and the same applies to your finances. Navy Federal’s Balance Transfer Calculator is a valuable resource for individuals considering a balance transfer. It helps you see how much you could save by lowering your interest rate and adjusting your payment plan.

Additionally, consider exploring other financial tools, such as budgeting apps, savings calculators, and financial planning services. These resources can provide valuable insights and keep you accountable.

Getting financially fit in 2025 requires a combination of discipline, strategy, and the right resources. By setting clear goals, cutting unnecessary expenses, consolidating debt with Navy Federal’s tools, building your savings, and leveraging technology, you can achieve your financial resolutions and build a healthier financial future. Remember, just as physical fitness is a journey, financial fitness is also a journey. Stay consistent, celebrate your milestones, and enjoy the rewards of financial wellness.

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¹ As of 02/03/2025, rates range from 14.90% APR to 18.00% APR, are based on creditworthiness, and will vary with the market based on the US Prime Rate. ATM cash advance fees: None, if performed at a Navy Federal branch or ATM. Otherwise, $0.50 per domestic transaction or $1.00 per foreign transaction. Balance transfer offer: Application must be submitted by 3/31/2025. Offer valid for balances transferred from non-Navy Federal credit cards within 60 days of account opening. Balance transfers are not eligible to earn rewards. Maximum total transfer amount is limited to your available credit line. Balance transfers using convenience checks are excluded from this offer. If you transfer a balance with this offer, interest will be charged on purchases made with your credit card unless your purchases have a 0% APR, or you pay the entire balance, including any transferred balances, in full each month by the payment due date. Limit of one promotional offer at account opening. Navy Federal reserves the right to change or end this offer at any time without notice.

² Offer valid for cardholders issued new cashRewards or cashRewards Plus credit card accounts. To be eligible for the $250 cash back, you must make $2,500 or more in net purchases within 90 days of account opening. Rewards are earned on eligible net purchases. “Net purchases” means the sum of your eligible purchase transactions minus returns and refunds. Eligible purchase transactions do not include, and rewards are not earned for, the following transactions: cash advances, convenience checks, balance transfers, gambling, or fees of any kind, including finance charges, late fees, returned check fees, ATM cash advance fees, and annual fees, if any. Cash-equivalent transactions, such as the purchase, loading, or reloading of gift and prepaid cards (e.g., money orders, GO Prepaid Cards, and other cash­equivalent gift cards), may not be eligible purchase transactions and may not earn rewards. Please allow up to 8 weeks after the 90-day period for the $250 to post to your rewards balance. Account must be open and not in default at the time the $250 is scheduled to post to your rewards balance. Limit of one promotional offer at account opening. Offer valid for accounts applied for between 1/2/2025 and 3/31/2025. Navy Federal reserves the right to change or end this offer at any time without notice.

³ Offer valid for cardholders issued new Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card accounts. To be eligible for the 20,000 points offer, you must make $2,000 or more in net purchases within 90 days of account opening. Rewards are earned on eligible net purchases. “Net purchases” means the sum of your eligible purchase transactions minus returns and refunds. Eligible purchase transactions do not include, and rewards are not earned for, the following transactions: cash advances, convenience checks, balance transfers, gambling, or fees of any kind, including finance charges, late fees, returned check fees, and ATM cash advance fees. Cash-equivalent transactions, such as the purchase, loading, or reloading of gift and prepaid cards (e.g., money orders, GO Prepaid Cards, and other cash-equivalent gift cards), may not be eligible purchase transactions and may not earn rewards. Please allow up to 8 weeks after the 90-day period for the 20,000 points to post to your rewards balance. Account must be open and not in default at the time the 20,000 points are scheduled to post to your rewards balance. Limit of one promotional offer at account opening. Offer valid for accounts applied for between 1/2/2025 and 3/31/2025. Navy Federal reserves the right to change or end this offer at any time without notice.

⁴ As of 02/03/2025, rates range from 10.99% APR to 18.00% APR, are based on creditworthiness, and will vary with the market based on the US Prime Rate. ATM cash advance fees: None, if performed at a Navy Federal branch or ATM. Otherwise, $0.50 per domestic transaction or $1.00 per foreign transaction. Balance transfer offer: Application must be submitted by 3/31/2025. Offer valid for balances transferred from non-Navy Federal credit cards within 60 days of account opening. Balance transfers are not eligible to earn rewards. Maximum total transfer amount is limited to your available credit line. Balance transfers using convenience checks are excluded from this offer. If you transfer a balance with this offer, interest will be charged on purchases made with your credit card unless your purchases have a 0% APR, or you pay the entire balance, including any transferred balances, in full each month by the payment due date. Limit of one promotional offer at account opening. Navy Federal reserves the right to change or end this offer at any time without notice.

The Navy Federal More Rewards American Express® Card is issued and administered by Navy Federal Credit Union. American Express is a federally registered service mark of American Express and is used by the issuer pursuant to a license.

This content is intended to provide general information and shouldn’t be considered legal, tax or financial advice. It’s always a good idea to consult a tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to your situation and about your individual financial situation.