Time flies, doesn’t it? One minute you’re setting New Year’s resolutions, and the next thing you know—it’s June. If your financial goals for 2025 have gotten a little sidetracked, you’re not alone. Life happens. The good news is, mid-year is the perfect time to regroup, realign, and reset your financial priorities.

Think of this as your personal financial halftime. It’s a chance to check in on your progress, make some smart adjustments, and finish the second half of the year strong. Whether you’re hoping to save more, pay off debt, improve your credit, or just gain more confidence with your money, these five steps will help get you there.

1. Revisit Your Budget and Adjust for Seasonal Changes

Your budget is the backbone of your financial wellness—but it’s not something you set once and forget. Life changes, and your budget should too. Mid-year is a great time to take a fresh look at your income, spending habits, and financial responsibilities to see if your current plan is still working for you.

Start by comparing your projected spending from earlier in the year to what’s actually happened. Did you spend more than expected on travel or car repairs? Have you picked up a new subscription or streaming service? Are gas and grocery prices affecting your monthly flow?

Also consider seasonal shifts. Summer often brings new spending categories—vacation expenses, kids’ activities, higher utility bills, and back-to-school shopping on the horizon. Preparing now can prevent budget surprises later.

Update your budget by:

• Reviewing your last 2–3 months of bank and credit card statements
• Identifying any categories where spending has crept up
• Setting new targets for the next six months
• Accounting for known future costs like holidays or school supplies

Pro tip:
If you want a straightforward approach, try the 50/30/20 rule:

• 50% of your income for needs (housing, groceries, bills)
• 30% for wants (entertainment, dining out)
• 20% for savings and debt repayment

If your current budget feels too rigid or hard to track, it may just need a little simplifying. And if you need help figuring out what fits best, Ozark Federal Credit Union offers online budgeting tools and personal financial guidance to help you get started.

2. Recheck Your Savings Progress

Savings goals are often one of the first things we set in January—and one of the first things to fall by the wayside. If you haven’t made as much progress as you hoped by this point in the year, don’t get discouraged. There’s still plenty of time to save meaningfully in 2025—you just need a strategy that fits your life now.

Ask yourself:
Are you saving regularly? Do you know how much you’ve put away so far this year? Are you saving with a purpose—or just when you think about it?

Being intentional with savings can be the difference between wishing you had the money and actually having it when you need it.

Easy ways to boost savings mid-year:

• Set up automatic transfers to a dedicated savings account—out of sight, out of mind (in a good way!)
• Open a purpose-driven account, like Ozark Federal Credit Union’s Vacation Club or Christmas Club, to keep savings separate and focused
• Redirect savings from cut expenses (like paused streaming services or reduced utility bills in summer months)

Even small amounts—$10 here, $20 there—can snowball into something impactful over time. The key isn’t how much you save at once, but how consistently you commit to saving.

3. Take a Closer Look at Your Credit Score and Report

Your credit score affects more than just whether you get approved for a loan—it impacts your interest rates, insurance premiums, and even rental or job opportunities in some cases. That’s why doing a mid-year credit check is such a smart move.

Start by reviewing your full credit report from the three major bureaus. It’s completely free once a year at AnnualCreditReport.com, and during certain periods you may be eligible to check it more frequently. Look for any errors, unfamiliar accounts, or inaccurate balances. Even a small mistake can lower your score and cost you money.

Next, review your credit score itself. It’s influenced by a few key factors:

• Payment history: On-time payments are crucial.
• Credit utilization: Keep balances under 30% of your total credit limit.
• Length of credit history: Older accounts can help your score—don’t close them unless necessary.
• New credit inquiries: Applying for too much new credit in a short period can bring your score down temporarily.

To stay on top of your credit health:

• Set up reminders or auto-pay to avoid missed payments
• Pay down balances, especially high-interest credit cards
• Avoid opening new accounts unless you really need to
• Check in monthly using credit monitoring tools

Ozark Federal Credit Union offers SavvyMoney®, a free credit score tool available within online and mobile banking. It not only gives you your updated score but also breaks down what’s helping or hurting it, so you can make informed improvements.

4. Make a Debt Reduction Game Plan That Works

Debt can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re juggling multiple balances, interest rates, and payment due dates. But a solid strategy can help you regain control—and mid-year is an ideal time to create one.

Start by gathering the details: total balances, interest rates, and monthly minimums. Once you know where you stand, you can prioritize which debts to tackle first.

Popular payoff methods:

• Snowball Method: Focus on paying off the smallest debt first to gain momentum and build confidence
• Avalanche Method: Pay off the debt with the highest interest rate to save more over time
• Debt Consolidation: Combine multiple debts into one with a lower interest rate (often through a personal loan or credit card transfer)

Choose a method that keeps you motivated and consistent. Financial wins—like paying off one credit card or reducing your monthly interest costs—add up quickly.

Helpful debt-reduction tips:

• Apply any “found money” (like refunds, bonuses, or gifts) toward balances
• Set mini-goals (e.g., “Pay off $1,000 by October”) to track progress
• Consider a loan from Ozark Federal Credit Union to consolidate higher-interest debts

Most importantly, don’t beat yourself up for past decisions. Focus on what you can do today. Even small steps now can relieve big stress later.

5. Refresh Your Goals for the Second Half of the Year

We all start the year with high hopes and good intentions, but by mid-year, goals can feel out of reach—or out of touch. That’s totally normal. The key is giving yourself permission to revise, refocus, and reset.

Instead of vague resolutions like “save more” or “spend less,” create goals that are achievable and measurable. One way to do this is by using the SMART method, which helps you define clear, meaningful targets.

SMART goals are:

• Specific: Clearly state what you want to achieve
• Measurable: Include a way to track your progress
• Achievable: Make sure it’s realistic given your time and income
• Relevant: Align with your personal financial priorities
• Time-bound: Set a deadline to stay accountable

Examples of SMART financial goals:

• “Save $500 for holiday gifts by November 30”
• “Pay off my smallest credit card by September”
• “Increase my emergency fund by $1,000 by year-end”

This mid-year check-in is a great moment to give yourself credit for what you’ve already accomplished and reframe what’s next. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being intentional.

Let Us Help You Cross the Finish Line

At Ozark Federal Credit Union, we understand that money can feel complicated. But it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Whether you need budgeting tools, credit advice, savings strategies, or debt solutions, we’re here to guide you every step of the way.

Here’s how we can support you:

• Free credit monitoring through SavvyMoney
• Specialty accounts for holidays, vacations, and emergencies
• Low-rate personal loans for debt consolidation or big purchases

📅 Ready to reset your 2025 goals?
Let’s talk. Schedule a mid-year financial wellness review with Ozark Federal Credit Union and take the next step toward a more confident and secure future.

You’ve Got Time—and Support

June isn’t just the halfway point of the year—it’s a golden opportunity to check your financial pulse and course-correct if needed. Even small tweaks today can lead to huge wins by December.

Remember, progress isn’t about perfection. It’s about being consistent, intentional, and willing to adapt. And no matter where you are in your financial journey, Ozark Federal Credit Union is here to help you reach your goals with tools, encouragement, and real support.

Let’s finish 2025 stronger—together.