Throughout the nation, young adults are embracing a lifestyle of staying in, engaging in regular exercise, and prioritizing hydration as part of the viral movement known as the Great Lock-In of 2025. This self-improvement initiative challenges participants to eliminate distractions and concentrate intensely on establishing healthy habits before the arrival of 2026. The goal is to facilitate personal growth and transformation during the remaining months of the year.
However, if you are taking part in this transformative journey, it is crucial to incorporate a financial component into your plan.
“Initiating small changes and creating lasting impacts is often a daunting task, but there is still ample time to make significant progress in the remaining months of this year,” states Felicia Wong, the founder of Aventurine Planning. “Everyone must begin their journey at some point, and the best time is now.”
The Great Lock-In does not necessitate a total transformation of your current lifestyle. Instead, it can serve as an excellent opportunity to evaluate your financial health — including assessing your savings, analyzing your spending habits, evaluating your debt levels, and reviewing your investments. This self-assessment can help you reset your financial goals and strategies as needed.
While the journey of self-improvement can certainly present challenges, participating in a trend such as this can effectively transform your perspective on tasks that might otherwise feel burdensome, explains Timothy Klecker, a goals coach at U.S. Bank.
Consider the often-dreaded task of budgeting, for example.
“When you think to yourself, ‘I must adopt a budget, and it’s going to be a lifelong commitment,’ it’s likely that you will feel overwhelmed and resistant. It sounds quite unpleasant, doesn’t it?” Klecker reflects.
However, if you shift your perspective to “I am going to conquer this challenge within a set timeframe, and I will excel at it,” suddenly, the task of budgeting becomes far more manageable and achievable.
By breaking down larger financial goals into smaller, more manageable steps, you can maintain your motivation and momentum. Wong suggests that if you aspire to take a vacation next summer, aim to save a specific amount each month leading up to your trip. If your goal is to reduce everyday expenses, consider setting a deadline to negotiate your internet bill for lower rates.
“Establish goals and cultivate habits that are both rewarding and sustainable. Long-term financial habits should focus on consistency,” emphasizes Wong, who is also a certified financial planner.
Michelle Riiska, a senior financial planning product and research consultant at eMoney Advisor, advocates for starting with your emergency fund. The ultimate objective is to save enough to cover three to six months’ worth of essential expenses. You can gradually build this fund by saving a few thousand dollars before January, thus minimizing the likelihood of incurring additional debt during a financial crisis.
Moreover, you might find ways to integrate your lifestyle upgrades with your financial goals.
For instance, while striving for healthier eating habits, you could impose a limit on your spending with food delivery services like Uber Eats. Likewise, if you wish to curb unnecessary shopping, removing the Amazon app from your phone could be a beneficial step. The potential for synergy between your lifestyle and financial improvements is significant.
Klecker adds that even trialing a new behavior can yield positive outcomes, provided you have clear objectives regarding the results you seek.
Going cold turkey for a few weeks only to revert to old habits the moment the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve will not foster meaningful, lasting change. To ensure these adjustments endure, your goals should extend beyond the fleeting nature of a lighthearted TikTok challenge.
With the right discipline, Klecker asserts that you will emerge from the Great Lock-In with a newfound appreciation for how valuable and surprisingly enjoyable the experience can be. You will also have validated to yourself that you are capable of achieving your goals.
“This initiative provides the ideal framework to dedicate your time, energy, and focus to a specific endeavor, allowing the outcomes to demonstrate the worth of your commitment,” he concludes.
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