As we hit the halfway mark of the year, it is a great time to pause, reflect, and reset your financial priorities. Whether you’ve stuck to your money goals or life’s thrown you off course, the next six months offer a fresh opportunity to take control. Here are five achievable financial goals you can set right now to finish the year stronger and smarter.

1. Build or Boost Your Emergency Fund

An emergency fund acts as your financial safety net. It protects you when unexpected expenses pop up, like car repairs, medical bills, or job loss, so you don’t need to rely on credit or take on more debt.

Goal: Aim to save at least one month’s worth of essential expenses by the end of the year. If you already have that, push for two or three months.

Quick tip: Open a separate savings account (not linked to your main account) to avoid dipping into it for everyday spending.

2. Get Your Credit Report in Order

Your credit report tells the story of how you manage debt, and it’s what lenders, landlords, and even some employers look at before making decisions about you.

Goal: Check your credit report on Splendi. Look for incorrect information, unfamiliar accounts, or signs of fraud. If you see something off, use Splendi’s dispute tool to fix it.

Why it matters: A clean, accurate report improves your credit score, making it easier to qualify for better credit deals in the future.

3. Pay Down High-Interest Debt

Not all debt is equal. Credit cards and personal loans often come with high interest rates that grow fast and quietly drain your income.

Goal: Identify your highest-interest debts and commit to paying more than the minimum. Even a small extra payment each month can reduce what you owe faster.

Try this method: The avalanche method – pay extra on the debt with the highest interest rate first, while making minimum payments on the rest.

4. Set a Specific Savings Goal

Having a savings goal gives your money a purpose. Whether it’s for December holidays, a car service, or back-to-school expenses in January, planning now helps you avoid financial pressure later.

Goal: Choose one clear savings target and break it into smaller monthly or weekly amounts.

Example: Want R3,000 by December? That’s R500 per month from now to the end of the year.

5. Create a Monthly Budget (and Stick to It)

A budget isn’t about restriction but direction. It helps you see where your money’s going and make intentional choices about what matters most.

Goal: Create a simple budget using the 50/30/20 rule:

• 50% for needs (rent, transport, groceries)
• 30% for wants (entertainment, eating out)
• 20% for savings and debt repayments

Use a free budgeting app or a basic spreadsheet. And don’t forget to check in once a week to track your progress.

You don’t need a perfect track record; you just need a clear plan. By setting even one or two of these financial goals for the next six months, you’re already moving in the right direction.

Want to stay on top of your credit and finances? Register or log in on Splendi to track your credit profile, dispute errors, and get personalised financial tips.