THE beginning of a new year can often offer a fresh start, with shoppers using it as the perfect excuse to implement smart money goals.

The U.S. Sun sat down with a number of financial experts who offered their top tips on how best to save money in 2025.

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Financial expert Einat Steklov said all people should sit down at the beginning of the year and review their budget.

This is often a good idea to do in January, off the back of the holiday period when shifting spending habits can cause added financial strain.

“A budget acts as a roadmap for your finances, guiding you to prioritize spending and avoid unnecessary debt,” Steklov told The U.S. Sun.

“Regularly reviewing your budget ensures it aligns with your current needs, resources and goals, helping you circumvent overspending and maintain long-term financial stability.”

Steklov said it was a good idea to use a budget template or an app and to write down your income and categorize expenses into “needs” and “wants.”

“Ensure your total spending doesn’t exceed your income. If budgeting feels overwhelming, start with just two categories – essentials and non-essentials – and refine as you grow more comfortable with the process.”

She also revealed that financial goals can give shoppers focus and direction, whether it’s saving for a vacation, building an emergency fund, or paying off debt.

Folks should start by identifying them into one or two specific goals and breaking them into smaller, monthly milestones.

“Tracking your progress this way makes goals more achievable and keeps you motivated,” Steklov said.

“Don’t forget to celebrate milestones along the way to maintain your momentum!”

TAME IMPULSES

Another top tip from experts was to tame impulse purchases.

According to consumer and money saving expert Andrea Woroch, the average shopper spends about $150 a month on frivolous purchases.

Consumers may want to think about turning off push notifications or deleting the shopping apps altogether.

“Just think about what you could do with that money if you didn’t waste it on frivolous purchases,” she said.

“To tame that unnecessary spending, learn how to identify and eliminate spending triggers.”

Woroch added that meal planning can be a great way to cut back on food waste and reduce your monthly grocery spend.

“Begin by looking at your calendar to determine which days you will have meals at home, or pack a lunch for you or your kids to take to work/school, and then look for recipes that use overlapping ingredients. Then shop with a list and stick to it,” she said.

SHOP SLOW

Chartered accountant and founder of personal finance platform Generation Money Alex King suggested consumers adopt a “slow shopping” lifestyle.

This means giving yourself a waiting period of 24 hours before making larger purchases, or anything over $100.

This method may help avoid impulse spending on items that you don’t really need.

“Giving yourself a wait period will help you to make sure you’re confident in your decision to buy the item without regretting it,” King said.

AUDIT SUBSCRIPTIONS

He also suggested auditing your monthly subscriptions and regular payments – a great idea at the beginning of each year.

“Check your bank statements and list what you’re signed up to which you have regular monthly payments on,” King said.

“Go through this list one by one and decide if there are any that you don’t use or don’t use enough to justify the cost.

“Cancel these where you can and you can immediately boost your monthly finances. If you use these savings to put extra cash into high-yield savings accounts or to invest, even better.”