Low-cost things to do in January to start off the new year right

Ready or not, 2025 has arrived!  Rather than set resolutions that get pushed to the side by mid-month, how about breaking routine and doing some different activities that shake up the normal January mindset?

Consider these creative ideas that won’t break the budget!

• Ramp up the gratitude by sending out personalized Thank-You notes! Consider the neighbor, family member or co-worker who surprised you with a gift, or maybe someone who provided an act of kindness that helped reduce your holiday stress.
• How about taking some time to not just zone out on social media, but to remove some connections and “friends” who don’t contribute to your personal social media “purpose”.
• Here’s one on my list! Defrost the freezer! Maybe you’ve got something stashed that either needs to be eaten or tossed. And we all know our appliances run more efficiently when well maintained. You could also include cleaning out the kitchen pantry and fridge for expired items that will never get eaten (totally guilty of this).
• How about reaching out to someone you’d like to connect with and schedule a lunch date? Socializing is just different after the holidays. And it’s a great way to talk about what you are looking forward to in the new year.
• Plan a vacation! Yes, January is a great time to do that! It’s totally free to plan, and if you take extra time to plan, you can include activities or sights that you might miss out on otherwise. And anticipation is part of the fun!  With extra planning, you’ll have a better idea of budget needs so your return home with more great memories and less debt.
• Decluttering is also another great focus for the new year. If you choose areas to focus on and take some time, you may get joy bringing up fond memories while you make those hard decisions of what to keep and what you can live without in the new year. Less clutter equals less stress!
• Visit local attractions around town like museums. Although there may be costs involved, I found this website that provides a lot of ideas for downtown exploring: downtowntucson.org
• And I can’t complete the list without including outdoor activities this time of year! If you want hiking, biking or just a beautiful walk, Tucson offers dozens of options. And it could be as simple as packing a lunch and heading out to a neighborhood park.  Getting outside is one of the best ways to shake off the holiday stress and open your mind to new ideas in 2025!

And if getting your finances in line is on your list, I can help! If it’s creating that money plan, getting an understanding of your credit, or setting some new financial goals, let’s meet.

Click HERE to schedule your personal financial coaching session.

Lisa Atkinson
TFCU | Personal Financial Coach
latkinson@colleensflowercellar.com

As a Personal Financial Coach, I do not provide legal or tax advice. Tucson Federal Credit Union does not guarantee that this service will achieve any particular objective or outcome. For any legal advice, please seek the advice of an attorney or tax professional.