100 Personal Finance Goal Ideas — free resource from DollarWise

1. Save $500 for a starter emergency fund
2. Build a $1,000 emergency cushion
3. Save one month of essential expenses
4. Save three months of essential expenses
5. Save six months of essential expenses
6. Open a separate high-yield savings account
7. Automate a weekly transfer to savings
8. Save $5 a day for a year
9. Complete a 52-week savings challenge
10. Save your next tax refund instead of spending it
11. Pay off your smallest debt in full
12. Pay off your highest-interest debt first
13. Make one extra debt payment this year
14. Become free of credit card debt
15. Pay off a personal loan early
16. Pay off a car loan ahead of schedule
17. Refinance a high-interest loan to a lower rate
18. Negotiate a lower interest rate on a card
19. Stop adding new charges to a card you are paying off
20. Set up automatic minimum payments so nothing is ever late
21. Create a monthly budget and stick to it for 90 days
22. Track every expense for one full month
23. Cut one subscription you no longer use
24. Reduce eating-out spending by 25 percent
25. Set a weekly grocery budget and keep to it
26. Build a monthly spending plan that includes fun money
27. Review your budget on the first Sunday of each month
28. Use the envelope method for one spending category
29. Try a no-spend weekend once a month
30. Lower a monthly bill by calling your provider and asking
31. Start investing with a small monthly amount
32. Open a retirement account if you do not have one
33. Increase your retirement contribution by 1 percent
34. Invest your first $100 in a broad index fund
35. Learn the difference between stocks, bonds, and funds
36. Set up automatic investing on payday
37. Rebalance your portfolio once a year
38. Read one personal finance book this year
39. Take a free online course about investing basics
40. Save for a child's education with a small monthly contribution
41. Save for a home down payment
42. Save for a car replacement fund
43. Save for a dream vacation without using credit
44. Save for holiday gifts all year so December is stress-free
45. Save for new tires before you need them
46. Save for a home repair fund
47. Save for a pet's vet care fund
48. Save for a wedding without going into debt
49. Save for a new laptop or phone in advance
50. Save for a professional course or certification
51. Build a second income stream
52. Sell unused items and put the money in savings
53. Start a small side project that earns its first dollar
54. Freelance one skill you already have
55. Ask for a raise with a prepared case
56. Review your salary against market rates
57. Negotiate one bill or fee this quarter
58. Earn cashback on purchases you already make
59. Turn a hobby into occasional paid work
60. Save all side income for one full year
61. Review your insurance coverage once a year
62. Write or update your will
63. Name beneficiaries on all your accounts
64. Create a simple estate folder with key documents
65. Build a one-page financial snapshot for your family
66. Set up two-factor authentication on financial accounts
67. Check your credit report twice a year
68. Freeze your credit to prevent identity theft
69. Shred old financial documents safely
70. Store account passwords in a password manager
71. Teach a child how to save part of any money they receive
72. Give to a cause you care about every month
73. Set a giving budget so generosity never strains your finances
74. Save for a family celebration in advance
75. Plan a debt-free holiday season
76. Pay for Christmas gifts with cash only
77. Create a sinking fund for annual expenses like car insurance
78. Fund a travel account with a fixed amount each payday
79. Save for a sabbatical or career break
80. Reach a net worth milestone you choose and celebrate it
81. Calculate your net worth for the first time
82. Improve your net worth by a set amount this year
83. Reduce your monthly expenses by 10 percent
84. Increase your savings rate by 5 percentage points
85. Go one full month without impulse purchases
86. Wait 72 hours before any non-essential purchase over $50
87. Cancel a membership you have not used in three months
88. Switch to a cheaper phone plan
89. Cook at home five nights a week for a month
90. Save the money from one skipped habit each week
91. Save for a replacement phone battery before it fails
92. Set aside money for annual car registration
93. Save for a home insurance deductible
94. Fund a hobby project from savings, not credit
95. Save for a family photo session
96. Build a gift fund for weddings and birthdays
97. Save for a new bicycle or sports gear
98. Set aside money for yearly subscriptions in advance
99. Save for a kitchen appliance replacement
100. Build a fund for unexpected pet care costs