Did you start the year with financial goals, but lost sight of them because life got busy? If so, you're not alone. A mid-year pause can help you get back on track.

In just 15 minutes, you can review your spending, savings, debts, and financial plans to see where you stand. Small changes now can lead to fewer surprises later. Let's take a look at some simple steps you can take to reset your finances and finish the year strong.

1. CANCEL OR DOWNGRADE WHAT YOU'RE NOT USING

Subscription creep refers to the gradual buildup of subscription services that you rarely or never use. You might have signed up for a free trial and forgotten to cancel, or your needs may have changed. These fees can add up quickly. Money spent on these services could be used to pay down debt, grow your emergency fund, or save for the future.

List your subscriptions and identify what you can cancel or downgrade. Consider lower-cost or no-cost options. For example, you may be able to replace paid software subscriptions with comparable tools or use ad-supported streaming apps instead of services you rarely use.

Something else to look for are “silent spenders.” These are routine, recurring charges you pay each month without realizing it. For example:

• Gym membership you stopped using
• Fitness app from a past weight-loss program
• Software used with a former project
• Meal kit you no longer use

Review your bank statements or digital banking transaction history to find them. Each charge might seem insignificant, but together they can take a bigger bite of your budget than you realize.

2. REBALANCE YOUR SAVINGS (EVEN BY 1-2%)

If your savings progress has stalled, look for one manageable way to move closer to your goals. Increasing your savings rate by just 1–2% can be doable without straining your budget. Over time, even a slight increase can make a meaningful difference, especially with regular contributions and compound interest. 

You may find room for the increase by paying off a debt or reducing an expense. For example, bringing coffee from home instead of spending $5 on a daily cup could free up money to boost your monthly savings contributions. A small increase is often easier to maintain than an unrealistic goal.

Automating your savings can help you make steady progress, so you don't have to rely on motivation alone. Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account each month. You could also direct a portion of each paycheck into your savings account through direct deposit.

3. CHECK YOUR CREDIT (NO PANIC REQUIRED)

A mid-year financial checkup is also a good time to review your credit. Checking your credit report can help you spot errors, identify potential fraud, and confirm your information is accurate.

You can access free credit reports through AnnualCreditReport.com and review them for unfamiliar accounts, incorrect payment history, or personal information that doesn't belong to you.

If you discover inaccurate information, it's important to dispute it as soon as possible. Texans Credit Union Visa debit cardholders can also take advantage of Dovly Uplift, a free credit monitoring and improvement tool that helps identify and dispute eligible errors on your credit report.

Reviewing your own credit report or credit score won't affect your score. It's considered a soft inquiry and can help you stay informed about your financial health.

4. REFRESH PASSWORDS & AUTOPAY SETTINGS

While reviewing your financial accounts, check the security and settings to verify everything is up to date and protected. Update all your passwords with new, unique ones that are difficult to guess. It's also a good idea to enable two-factor authentication for an extra layer of protection against unauthorized access and identity theft. 

Review your automatic payments, as the amounts may vary from month to month. Insurance premiums can increase, utility costs vary by season, and credit card bills might be higher than expected. Confirm you're comfortable with the amounts being deducted.

KEEP THE MOMENTUM GOING

Now that you've completed your mid-year money checkup, choose one small step you can take to keep the momentum going. For example, you might:

Increase your savings goal by 1% with your next paycheck

Set up an automatic transfer to your savings or money market account

Create a spending alert in your digital banking app

Review your checking account history for unused subscriptions

Set up account alerts to notify you of large purchases

Mobile banking apps make it easier than ever to stay on top of your finances. You can view account balances, review recent transactions, set up account alerts, and monitor your finances wherever you are. 

TURN INSIGHT INTO ACTION

A mid-year money checkup doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. It only takes a few minutes to review your finances and make sure you're still moving in the right direction. Financial progress often comes from consistent habits, not major changes or overly ambitious goals.

Set aside 15 minutes today to review your finances. One intentional change could bring you closer to your financial goals.

LOG IN TO DIGITAL BANKING