The new year is always a good time for a fresh start. You’ve probably listed down some resolutions to get fit or to improve your professional prospects. But what about your finances? Financial goals are as important as focusing on your health and career if you want to set yourself up for success in 2025.
Whether you’re trying to recover from a big holiday, rebuild after a tough financial year, or just make smarter choices with your money, now is the perfect time to get your finances on track for the year ahead.
Let’s talk about how to set goals that’ll stick and avoid the big mistakes that could slow you down.
Whether you’re trying to recover from a big holiday, rebuild after a tough financial year, or just make smarter choices with your money, now is the perfect time to get your finances on track for the year ahead.
Let’s talk about how to set goals that’ll stick and avoid the big mistakes that could slow you down.
1. Don’t overestimate income, and don’t undervalue expenses
It’s easy to get excited and assume your salary will increase or that you’ll somehow keep living expenses low even with everything going up in price. But here’s the thing: life happens, and things change.
Be realistic. Assume your income won’t increase drastically, and work in a little extra cushion for unexpected expenses. For example, a car repair or a sudden price hike on groceries can throw off your plans. Put together a budget that covers regular and irregular costs, so you’re not caught off guard.
Be realistic. Assume your income won’t increase drastically, and work in a little extra cushion for unexpected expenses. For example, a car repair or a sudden price hike on groceries can throw off your plans. Put together a budget that covers regular and irregular costs, so you’re not caught off guard.
2. Don’t put all your money in one basket
We’ve all heard of that one hot stock or investment everyone’s raving about. Sure, it seems like a guaranteed win, but putting all your money into one “basket” is a risky move.
3. Don’t forget to check in on your progress
Setting goals is just the start. However, if don’t track your progress, it’s easy to miss the mark.
Make it a habit to check in on your finances every few months. For example, take 15 minutes every quarter to review your spending and savings. Are you on track to hit your goals? Did any unexpected expenses pop up? Adjust your plan if you need to.
Make it a habit to check in on your finances every few months. For example, take 15 minutes every quarter to review your spending and savings. Are you on track to hit your goals? Did any unexpected expenses pop up? Adjust your plan if you need to.
4. Build an emergency fund – it’s non-negotiable
Life is unpredictable. You never know when you might need extra cash for an unexpected medical bill, car repairs, or a sudden job loss. Without an emergency fund, you could end up using credit cards or going into debt.
Aim to save enough to cover 3 to 6 months of living expenses. It’ll give you peace of mind and help protect your other financial goals.
Aim to save enough to cover 3 to 6 months of living expenses. It’ll give you peace of mind and help protect your other financial goals.
5. Watch out for scammers promising “get rich quick” schemes
You’ve seen those posts on social media claiming you can “guarantee” big returns on an investment or “exclusive” opportunities that sound too good to be true. Most of the time, they are.
Scammers love to target people who are looking to make quick money. In 2023, scams in Brunei were up 11% from the year before, with people falling for fake investment schemes, social media scams, and phishing emails that looked like they came from banks.
Scammers love to target people who are looking to make quick money. In 2023, scams in Brunei were up 11% from the year before, with people falling for fake investment schemes, social media scams, and phishing emails that looked like they came from banks.
Ali’s scam story
What happened to Ali could happen to you. He had proudly served for 26 years as uniformed personnel, diligently working and contributing to his community. After retiring, he decided to make the most of his hard-earned money by turning to investments.
Not long after, he was added to a Telegram group labelled “Syariah Halal Investment,” a seemingly legitimate platform dedicated to investment opportunities. The group appeared active, with many locals sharing their investment experiences and profits. The admin frequently posted what looked like official profit receipts, adding credibility to the operation.
Curious but cautious, Ali reached out to the admin for more information. The admin assured him that the group was trustworthy and promised returns of three times his investment within just six months. Enthusiastic about the potential for such high returns, Ali decided to invest $20,000.
Six months later, Ali’s expectations quickly turned to despair. He found himself suddenly locked out of the group. Attempts to reach the admin proved futile, and soon, Ali realized the harsh reality: the admin had disappeared, and so had his $20,000 investment.
Ali’s story was shared by Cyber Security Brunei (CSB) as a sobering reminder of “too good to be true” offers. Always verify investment opportunities with licensed financial institutions. Never trust unsolicited investment groups on social media. And, whatever you do, don’t share financial info unless you’re 100% sure it’s legit.
Not long after, he was added to a Telegram group labelled “Syariah Halal Investment,” a seemingly legitimate platform dedicated to investment opportunities. The group appeared active, with many locals sharing their investment experiences and profits. The admin frequently posted what looked like official profit receipts, adding credibility to the operation.
Curious but cautious, Ali reached out to the admin for more information. The admin assured him that the group was trustworthy and promised returns of three times his investment within just six months. Enthusiastic about the potential for such high returns, Ali decided to invest $20,000.
Six months later, Ali’s expectations quickly turned to despair. He found himself suddenly locked out of the group. Attempts to reach the admin proved futile, and soon, Ali realized the harsh reality: the admin had disappeared, and so had his $20,000 investment.
Ali’s story was shared by Cyber Security Brunei (CSB) as a sobering reminder of “too good to be true” offers. Always verify investment opportunities with licensed financial institutions. Never trust unsolicited investment groups on social media. And, whatever you do, don’t share financial info unless you’re 100% sure it’s legit.
Spotting scams: what to watch out for
The start of the year is when scammers are especially active, hoping you’re motivated to reach your financial goals. Keep an eye out for:
Remember, if someone’s rushing you to decide, that’s a red flag. Always double check the legitimacy of offers, and never feel pressured to act fast.
- Fake investments that promise high returns with little risk.
- Phishing emails or phone calls pretending to be from your bank.
- Debt relief companies offering to erase all your debt for a fee.
Remember, if someone’s rushing you to decide, that’s a red flag. Always double check the legitimacy of offers, and never feel pressured to act fast.
Navigating 2025 with confidence
If you set clear, realistic financial goals, stay on top of your progress, and keep your money safe from scammers, you’ll be in a great place to achieve your 2025 goals. Financial success doesn’t happen overnight, but by being smart, cautious, and proactive, you can get there.
So, are you ready to start the year strong and set yourself up for a financially bright future?
So, are you ready to start the year strong and set yourself up for a financially bright future?
If you suspect that your bank account or personal information have been compromised, contact your bank immediately. Baiduri Bank customers can call our 24-hour Customer Helpline at 244 9666.
If you believe your social media accounts have been compromised, notify all your contacts through a post and report the incident to the respective social media platform.
You can also reach out to CyberSecurity Brunei for queries and advice, via their hotline at 245 8001 (24 hours), WhatsApp at 717 0766, or email at [email protected].
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