Top New Year’s Resolutions That Make Money

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On the JJ Barnes Blog, as we enter 2025, I share the top new year’s resolutions that make money so we can enter a new era of financial freedom and success.

As we step into 2025, I’m ditching the generic “lose weight” resolutions and instead focusing on goals that will truly transform my life. This year, I’m prioritizing resolutions that not only improve my well-being but also pave the way to a brighter financial future.

I believe that true success isn’t just about accumulating wealth, but about creating a life of abundance and freedom. That’s why I’m excited to share my top picks for money-making New Year’s Resolutions with you.

These aren’t just about getting rich quick schemes; they’re about building a solid foundation for long-term financial success. I’ll explore strategies for ditching debt, growing your wealth wisely, and unlocking your full earning potential.

Let’s embark on this journey together and enter a new era of financial freedom and success in 2025!

Top New Years Resolutions That Make Money

1. Invest in Yourself (and Your Future):

Skill Up

Identify a valuable skill in high demand within the ever-evolving job market. This could include in-demand fields like software development (coding), data analysis, digital marketing, graphic design, or project management.

Dedicate consistent time to learning and mastering this skill. Leverage the wealth of resources available to you, including online courses on platforms like Coursera, Udemy, and edX, workshops, free online tutorials, and even mentorship opportunities.

Continuous learning and skill development are crucial in today’s dynamic economy, opening doors to new career paths and increased earning potential.

Negotiate a Raise

Thoroughly research current salary ranges for professionals with your experience level and skillset in your field and within your geographic location. Utilize resources like salary comparison websites (Glassdoor, Salary.com, LinkedIn), industry reports, and networking with colleagues.

Document your accomplishments and contributions to the company. Quantify your achievements whenever possible. For example, instead of saying “Increased sales,” say “Increased sales by 15% over the past year.”

Prepare a compelling case for a raise by highlighting your value to the company. Emphasize how your skills and contributions directly align with the company’s goals and how a raise would be a fair and equitable compensation for your performance.

2. Tame Your Spending Habits:

Track Your Expenses

Embrace budgeting tools to gain a clear understanding of your spending habits. Utilize budgeting apps like Mint, Personal Capital, or YNAB (You Need A Budget), or create a detailed spreadsheet to track all your income and expenses.

Categorize your spending into different areas like housing, transportation, groceries, entertainment, and dining out. Regularly review your spending patterns to identify areas where you may be overspending. You might be surprised by how much you’re unknowingly spending on seemingly small expenses like daily coffee, impulse purchases, or subscriptions you no longer use.

Cut Back on Unnecessary Costs

Conduct a thorough review of your recurring expenses, such as subscriptions to streaming services, gym memberships, and online services. Cancel any subscriptions that you rarely or never use.

Explore cost-effective alternatives to dining out. Consider meal prepping at home, utilizing grocery store meal deals, or exploring local restaurants with budget-friendly options.

Seek out affordable entertainment options. Enjoy free activities like visiting local parks, attending free community events, exploring free museums on designated days, or hosting game nights with friends. Embrace digital entertainment options like online libraries, free streaming services, and online gaming communities.

Create a “No-Spend” Day (or Week)

Challenge yourself to a “no-spend” period, where you consciously restrict non-essential spending for a designated period, such as a day, a weekend, or even a week. This exercise can be incredibly eye-opening, helping you identify and eliminate unnecessary spending habits.

During your no-spend period, focus on enjoying free activities, utilizing existing resources, and finding creative ways to entertain yourself without spending money. This can include activities like cooking at home, reading books from the library, enjoying nature walks, or spending quality time with loved ones.

3. Explore Side Hustle Opportunities:

Freelancing

Explore freelance platforms like Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer.com to offer your skills and services to clients worldwide. Identify your unique skillset and create compelling profiles that showcase your expertise and experience.

Actively seek out relevant projects, submit competitive proposals, and build strong client relationships. Provide high-quality work, meet deadlines, and actively solicit client feedback to improve your services and build a positive reputation within the freelance community.

Writing & Content:

Article/Blog Writing: Create engaging content for websites, blogs, and social media.

Copywriting: Write compelling ad copy, website content, and sales scripts.

Proofreading & Editing: Improve the clarity, grammar, and style of written work.

Resume & Cover Letter Writing: Help job seekers create professional and impactful resumes and cover letters.

Creative Writing: Write short stories, poems, or even scripts for clients.

Design & Multimedia:

Logo Design: Create unique and memorable logos for businesses and individuals.

Graphic Design: Design social media graphics, brochures, flyers, and other marketing materials.

Photo Editing: Enhance photos, remove blemishes, and create stunning visual content.

Video Editing: Edit videos for YouTube, social media, or personal use.

Social Media Design: Create visually appealing content for social media platforms.

Technical Skills:

Website Development: Build basic websites using platforms like WordPress or HTML/CSS.

Data Entry: Accurately and efficiently enter data into spreadsheets or databases.

Virtual Assistant Tasks: Offer a variety of tasks, including scheduling, email management, and research.

Social Media Management: Manage social media accounts, schedule posts, and engage with followers.

Transcription & Translation: Transcribe audio or video files, or translate text between languages.

Other Valuable Skills:

Voice Over: Provide professional voice-over services for commercials, audiobooks, and other projects.

Online Research: Conduct thorough research on various topics for clients.

Teaching & Tutoring: Offer online tutoring services in specific subjects.

Life Coaching/Consulting: Provide guidance and support to clients on various life areas.

Start a Blog or Podcast

Building a successful blog takes time and effort. But with consistent content creation and a loyal audience, you can explore various strategies to monetize your hard work and turn your passion into a profitable venture. Here are some effective ways to generate income from your blog:

1. Advertising:

• Google AdSense: A popular option, Google AdSense allows you to display targeted ads on your blog. You earn revenue based on clicks or impressions.
• Direct Advertising: Partner with relevant brands to feature their ads directly on your blog. This approach often yields higher revenue but requires more effort to secure deals.
• Ad Networks: Explore other ad networks like Ezoic, and Magenet for potential higher earnings and more control over ad placement.

2. Affiliate Marketing:

• Promote relevant products or services: Join affiliate programs with companies whose products align with your blog’s niche.
• Use affiliate links strategically: Integrate affiliate links naturally within your content, such as in product reviews, resource guides, or recommended tools sections.
• Disclose affiliate relationships transparently: Always disclose your affiliate relationships to maintain trust with your audience.

3. Sponsored Content:

• Collaborate with brands: Create sponsored blog posts, reviews, or social media campaigns for brands that resonate with your audience.
• Negotiate fair compensation: Ensure you receive fair compensation for your time, effort, and the value you bring to the brand.
• Maintain editorial integrity: Always prioritize your audience’s trust by only promoting products or services that you genuinely believe in.

4. Selling Digital Products:

• Create and sell e-books, courses, or online workshops: Share your expertise and knowledge with your audience through valuable digital products.
• Offer premium content: Create exclusive content for paying subscribers, such as access to premium articles, webinars, or a private community forum.
• Develop and sell templates or design assets: If you have design skills, create and sell templates for social media, website graphics, or other digital assets.

5. Offering Services:

• Freelance writing or consulting: Leverage your blogging experience and expertise to offer freelance writing services, consulting services, or coaching to other businesses or individuals.
• Public speaking engagements: Build your reputation as an industry expert and offer speaking engagements at conferences, workshops, or local events.

Key Tips for Maximizing Your Blog’s Earning Potential:

Experiment and adapt: Continuously experiment with different monetization strategies and adapt your approach based on your audience and their preferences.

Build a loyal audience: Focus on creating high-quality, engaging content that resonates with your target audience.

Grow your email list: Collect email addresses from your readers and nurture those relationships.

Track your progress: Monitor your blog’s performance using analytics tools to identify areas for improvement.

4. Invest in Your Financial Future:

Start Investing

Investing can be a powerful tool to help you grow your wealth over time. However, it’s important to approach investing strategically and with a long-term perspective. Here are some key pieces of advice to help you on your investment journey:  

Don’t let emotions cloud your judgment: Make investment decisions based on your long-term goals and risk tolerance, not on fear or greed.

Define Your Investment Goals:

Determine your financial objectives: What are you saving for? Retirement? A down payment on a house? Your child’s education?

Set a timeline: When do you need to reach your investment goals?

Assess your risk tolerance: How comfortable are you with the potential for market fluctuations and the possibility of losing money?

Diversify Your Portfolio:

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket: Spread your investments across different asset classes (stocks, bonds, real estate, etc.) and sectors to reduce risk.  

Consider a mix of growth and income investments: Growth investments aim for capital appreciation, while income investments provide regular cash flow.  

Start Early and Invest Regularly:

The power of compounding: The earlier you start investing, the more time your money has to grow through compound interest.  

Dollar-cost averaging: Invest a fixed amount of money at regular intervals (e.g., monthly) regardless of market conditions. This helps to average out the cost of your investments over time.  

Keep Learning and Adapting:

Stay informed: Stay updated on market trends, economic news, and investment strategies.

Review your portfolio regularly: Monitor your investments and make adjustments as needed to align with your changing goals and risk tolerance.  

Consider seeking professional advice: If you’re unsure where to start or feel overwhelmed, consult with a qualified financial advisor.

Avoid Common Investment Mistakes:

Don’t panic sell: Don’t make impulsive decisions based on short-term market fluctuations.  

Don’t chase trends: Avoid investing in “hot” stocks or chasing after quick gains.  

Learn About Investing

Educate yourself on different investment strategies and build a basic understanding of the stock market.

Consider a Financial Advisor

If you’re unsure where to start, a financial advisor can provide personalized guidance.

Making Money-Making Resolutions Stick:

• Set SMART goals: Make your goals Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
• Break down large goals into smaller, more manageable steps.
• Find an accountability partner to keep you motivated.
• Reward yourself for achieving your goals.

Remember, these are just a few ideas to get you started. The key is to choose resolutions that align with your personal and financial goals. By focusing on building your financial well-being, you can set yourself up for a more prosperous and secure future.