We’ve all been there.
Starting the new year pumped with fresh goals: save more money, cut back on takeout, finally crush that credit card debt. But somewhere between “I got this” and “treat yo’ self,” our willpower hits a wall.
Here’s the good news: sticking to your financial goals isn’t just about willpower alone. It’s about understanding how willpower actually works, and then using practical strategies to train it like a muscle.
Let’s break down the science of willpower and how to actually stick to your money goals this time.
1. Write It Down: Your Brain Needs a Plan
There’s serious power in putting pen to paper. A well-known study by Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University in California, found that people who wrote down their goals were 42% more likely to achieve them compared to those who only thought about them. Why? Because writing brings clarity. It forces your brain to get specific.
Instead of saying, “I want to save more money,” write:
“I will save $200/month by meal-prepping on Sundays and canceling unused subscriptions.”
“I will be credit card debt-free by December 1st.”
This turns a vague wish into a clear mission. Stick it on your fridge, make it your phone background,. Whatever helps keep that vision front and center.
Tip: Use a simple notebook, a goal tracker app, or even a sticky note. What matters most is that you see it daily.
2. Keep Your Word (Especially to Yourself)
Willpower is like a bank account. Every time you follow through on a promise big or small, you’re making a deposit. Every time you flake on a commitment, especially to yourself, you make a withdrawal.
When you say, “I’m only spending $100 on non-essentials this week,” and stick to it, your brain registers that success. Over time, those wins build self-trust, and self-trust is everything when it comes to financial goals.
Even small victories matter. Did you pack lunch instead of DoorDashing it? Celebrate that. Kept your promise to review your cash flow on Sunday? That’s another deposit in the willpower vault.
Mini-Challenge: For one week, make one money promise to yourself every morning and keep it. You’ll be amazed how strong you feel by Friday.
3. Achieve It by Breaking It Down
Big goals can feel overwhelming. Want to save $10,000? Pay off $20,000 in debt? Sounds great until your brain panics and defaults to Netflix.
The trick is to chunk it down into bite-sized, achievable wins.
Instead of staring at the big number, ask:
What can I do this week to move closer?
What’s the next small step I can take today?
Maybe that’s calling your credit card company for a lower rate. Maybe it’s opening a high-yield savings account. Momentum loves motion. Once you get rolling, your willpower will have a reason to show up.
Quick Hack: Use the 15-Minute Rule. Set a timer and work on one financial task for just 15 minutes. Often, you’ll keep going longer without even realizing it.
4. Patience Is a Money Power Move
One of the biggest willpower killers? Unrealistic expectations. We live in a world of instant gratification—next-day delivery, instant likes, and TikTok dopamine hits. But financial wellness is a long game.
Willpower works best when you train your brain to delay gratification. It’s called the “Marshmallow Test” in psychology, and adults can pass it too.
Instead of giving in to the quick fix (impulse buys, emotional spending, buy-now-pay-later traps), remind yourself:
“I’m not saying no forever. I’m saying not yet so I can say YES to something better later.”
Try This: When tempted to buy something unplanned, wait 24 hours. If you still want it and it fits your goals, you’ll be making a conscious choice, not a craving-fueled one.
5. Master the Lesson, Not Just the Goal
Willpower isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being resilient. If you slip up and blow the budget, that doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re human.
The key is to learn from the setback:
What triggered the overspend?
Was it stress, boredom, social pressure?
How can you plan differently next time?
Financial success is built on progress, not perfection. Every mistake has a master lesson inside.
Mindset Shift: Don’t aim to “never mess up.” Aim to recover faster and smarter each time you do.
6. Pick Yourself Back Up Again and Again
The real science of willpower says it’s renewable. You don’t run out forever, you just run low and need to recharge.
If you’ve fallen off the savings wagon or ghosted your budget, don’t beat yourself up. Just pick up where you left off. The next right step is more powerful than all the guilt in the world.
Reframe It:
“I’m not starting over—I’m starting from experience.”
Resilience builds mental toughness. And mental toughness is your secret weapon to crush long-term money goals.
7. Surround Yourself With Willpower Boosters
You don’t have to do this alone. Willpower gets a major boost when you’re around like-minded people.
That could mean:
Following smart money creators (hey, welcome to Money Tips Money Hacks)
Joining a free accountability group
Sharing your goals with someone you trust
Reading weekly personal finance blogs or newsletters
When your environment supports your goals, sticking to them feels 1000x easier.
Certified Tip: Make your surroundings work for you. Unfollow tempting “hauls” and shopping sprees on social media. Replace them with creators who talk about building wealth, not burning it.
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Final Thoughts: Willpower Is a Skill—Not a Superpower
Here’s the truth: You don’t need superhuman discipline to stick to your financial goals. You just need the right tools, the right mindset, and the willingness to show up for yourself, again and again.
So, write it down. Keep your word. Break it down. Be patient. Learn the lessons. Get back up. Surround yourself with good vibes.
Willpower grows when you water it with action. And every smart money move you make is proof that you’re doing the work.
You've got this.
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Cervante Burrell, M.Ed., CFEI®, is the founder of Money Tips Money Hacks, a financial wellness educator, husband, and proud father dedicated to helping others thrive financially from the inside out.
Excellent!
These are great tips. I would also say part of it is about rewiring yourself to find rewards that aren't driven by money and reframe decisions so they don't seem punitive. You aren't punishing yourself by not ordering Doordash, you are rewarding yourself with healthy food you prepared.
When I talk to people about money I find so many think of budgeting like dieting. But really it is about allocating and putting energy toward your best self.