Losing weight and gaining bank: 15 million Australians have set a resolution for 2025
Aussies are feeling optimistic about the year ahead, according to new research by Finder.
A Finder survey of 1,010 respondents revealed 74% – equivalent to 15.5 million people – have set a New Year's resolution for 2025.
Australians are pledging to live a salubrious lifestyle in 2025, with 39% of Australians aiming to eat healthier, 37% planning to improve their fitness, and 33% vowing to lose weight.
Personal wellbeing is also a focus, with 17% planning to sleep more, and 9% endeavouring to have a better work life balance.
Travel is on the agenda, with 1 in 5 (20%) hoping to jet off overseas, and 5% seeking to move interstate or overseas.
Almost 1 in 10 (8%) have plans to renovate their home, 7% aim to start volunteering, and 6% want to change jobs.
Graham Cooke, head of consumer research at Finder, said the new year is an ideal time to reassess and establish new objectives.
"It's a chance to start fresh and concentrate on new goals, whether it's improving your health, saving money, learning new skills, or pursuing other passions.
"Breaking down larger goals into smaller, manageable steps can significantly increase your chances of success."
Cooke said many individuals are prioritising their physical and mental well-being in the coming year.
"Prioritising sleep and striving for a healthier work-life balance can significantly enhance productivity, performance, and overall life satisfaction.
"Remember, meaningful change takes time. Don't expect immediate improvements.
"Celebrate the small victories along the way – consistent effort, even in small doses, can lead to remarkable results."
The data found 85% of Australians – equivalent to 17.8 million people – have set a financial goal for 2025.
Saving more money (52%), spending less (32%), and reducing expenses (24%) are the top financial goals Aussies have set.
Investing more (17%), building up an emergency fund (16%), and finding ways to increase earnings (14%) are also priorities for many in the new year.
The research found 11% want to improve their financial literacy, while 10% vow to pay off their credit card.
Cooke said as many individuals seek to address rising living costs, a new year presents an opportunity to cultivate sound financial habits.
"Finder research shows that Australian investors are more likely to set goals, budget and take risks.
"Creating a budget and identifying unnecessary expenses and spending is key.
"Setting specific financial goals to save for, such as a vacation, a down payment on a property, or an emergency fund, can jumpstart your journey.
"Having clearly defined objectives can provide crucial motivation and keep you on course towards achieving your financial aspirations," Cooke said.
What are your New Year's resolutions for 2025?
| Eat more healthy | 39% |
| Improve fitness | 37% |
| Lose weight | 33% |
| Travel overseas | 20% |
| Sleep more | 17% |
| Be more sustainable | 9% |
| Work less / have a better work/life balance | 9% |
| Renovate my house | 8% |
| Volunteer | 7% |
| Change my job | 6% |
| Quit smoking | 5% |
| Start meditating | 5% |
| Move interstate / overseas | 5% |
| Find love | 5% |
| Take more risks | 3% |
| Quit gambling | 3% |
| Quit vaping | 2% |
| Quit drinking | 2% |
| Other | 2% |
| I'm not going to have any resolutions | 26% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,010 respondents, December 2024 |  |
What are your top financial goals for 2025?
| Save more money | 52% |
| Spend less money | 32% |
| Reduce expenses | 24% |
| Invest more | 17% |
| Build up an emergency fund | 16% |
| Find ways to increase my earnings (e.g. second job, get a pay rise, start a business) | 14% |
| Improve my overall financial literacy | 11% |
| Pay off my credit card | 10% |
| Pay off mortgage | 10% |
| Buy a car | 9% |
| Buy cryptocurrency | 7% |
| Buy a home | 7% |
| Save for a home deposit | 5% |
| Pay off my BNPL debt | 5% |
| Pay off other personal debt (e.g. student loan, personal loan, car loan, etc) | 4% |
| Other | 2% |
| Source: Finder survey of 1,010 respondents, December 2024 | |
Methodology
- Finder's Consumer Sentiment Tracker is a monthly recurring nationally representative survey of more than 60,000 respondents.
- Figures in this release are based on 1,010 respondents from December 2024.
- The Consumer Sentiment Tracker is owned by Finder and operated by Qualtrics.
- The survey has been running monthly since May 2019.