Top advisors suggest what should be on your financial to-do list for 2025.

• According to a recent survey, a top financial resolution for the new year is to pay off debt.
• Other financial advisors suggest prioritizing mindful spending to achieve better financial balance in the new year.
• Here's some money moves advisors recommend considering in 2025.

In 2025, many people prioritize paying off their debt as their top financial resolution.

Financial advisors who work with clients daily have their own wish lists for what they believe should be the top financial priorities for 2025.

Experts on the CNBC FA Council offer advice on budgeting, estate planning, and other financial matters.

"It's wise to begin with small, achievable financial goals and gradually increase them, as advised by Lee Baker, a certified financial planner and founder of Claris Financial Advisors in Atlanta. This approach will help you accumulate successes and avoid feeling overwhelmed."

Make sure your budget aligns with your goals

It's a good idea to reassess your spending habits at the beginning of a new year.

Spending a little time understanding your spending and aligning it with your goals and values is a worthwhile investment, according to CFP Jude Boudreaux, a partner and senior financial planner with The Planning Center in New Orleans.

Examining your spending habits can help you determine if they align with your goals and values, and if they should continue.

Ensuring you're making the most of your income requires being mindful of your spending, advisors suggest.

Rianka Dorsainvil, a CFP and founder and senior wealth advisor at YGC Wealth, stated that mindful spending that aligns with personal values can result in increased satisfaction and stronger relationships.

Evaluate where you can cut back on spending

It's a great time to reduce your spending as credit card debt reaches new heights and prices continue to rise.

It is a good practice to review your credit and debit card statements at the beginning of the year, advised Ted Jenkin, a CFP and CEO of oXYGen Financial, a financial advisory and wealth management firm in Atlanta.

He advised canceling unused subscriptions, apps, and memberships.

Jenkins advised families to evaluate their streaming service subscriptions and look for ways to reduce costs. Having multiple subscriptions can result in expenses exceeding a cable bill. Families can save money by reducing the number of subscriptions or sharing accounts with multiple family members.

Jenkin advised to be mindful of grocery bills and the tendency to make impulsive purchases that can accumulate.

Create a personal investment policy statement

The market's natural fluctuations lead to the urge to act.

Missing the upside is a risk when selling during a market drop, as research indicates that the market's worst days are often followed by its best days.

A personal investment policy statement can help you remain focused on your goals and avoid being swayed by market fluctuations, as advised by CFP Carolyn McClanahan of Life Planning Partners in Jacksonville, Florida.

An investor with a long-term perspective before retirement may opt to allocate 80% of their portfolio to equities and the remaining 20% to fixed income. When the market experiences a decline or surge, they can choose to rebalance their portfolio back to the 80% equity allocation rather than succumbing to the urge to react to the latest market movements, McClanahan advised.

Try to negotiate a higher salary

Cathy Curtis, a CFP and the founder and CEO of Curtis Financial Planning, a fee-only financial planning and investment advisory firm, stated that the beginning of a new year often presents an opportunity to have a meeting with your supervisor or boss to discuss your accomplishments and worth to your team and company.

Before the meeting, research your market value and decide on a clear, concise pitch to justify the salary or compensation you want to ask for.

She advised me to evaluate whether my work may be more highly rewarded elsewhere.

Make sure your estate plan is up to date

Louis Barajas, a CFP, enrolled agent and CEO of International Private Wealth Advisors in Irvine, California, notes that estate planning is often overlooked in financial planning.

Completing an estate plan is crucial for both property owners and parents of young children, according to Barajas.

Estate planning does not have to be expensive, as there are affordable online resources available for people with simple financial situations. These resources can assist in creating wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and guardian nominations for a low cost.

Proper estate planning is crucial to ensure your wishes for your money and digital assets are respected after your death, according to CFP Preston Cherry, founder and president of Concurrent Financial Planning in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

Cherry stated that annual reviews are necessary for these areas to account for life and financial milestones and adjustments in your value system.

The biggest return season of the year follows the holidays.

Set time to meet with family to discuss money

A recent Fidelity survey revealed that over half of Americans, specifically 56%, never had their parents discuss money with them.

Discussing family finances is more productive when a formal time is set for the conversation.

The Real Wealth Coterie's founder and managing principal, Lazetta Rainey Braxton, a CFP, advises scheduling at least two multigenerational family meetings annually to discuss intergenerational wealth.

What are some important topics to discuss with a financial advisor?

If married, make your spouse a priority

A marriage that leads to happiness is often a predictor of personal happiness, according to Tim Maurer, a CFP and the chief advisory officer at SignatureFD, with offices in Atlanta and Charlotte, North Carolina.

If you have a spouse, investing more time and money in your marriage will pay off, he said.

Maurer suggested starting open money conversations where both spouses answer the questions "What's working?" and "What could work better?"

Weekly meetings can help identify adjustments needed to calendars and budgets, he said.

Maurer advised creating a new budget category for date nights and scheduling weekly time together, keeping it sacred.

Identify key financial deadlines — and start early

Starting early can help you meet the deadline for getting your tax return in before April 15 or a required minimum distribution before Dec. 31.

Plan for the year's events in advance, advised Baker of Claris Financial Advisors in Atlanta.

"It's better to plan ahead," Baker advised. "You and your advisors will benefit."

Consider gifting money now

It can be wise for retired or nearly retired individuals with financial means to give money to loved ones now instead of waiting, according to Boudreaux of The Planning Center in New Orleans.

Boudreaux stated that by identifying the family's values and directing money in alignment with that purpose, it is possible to provide financial assistance to adult children who are currently raising grandchildren.

In 2025, the annual gift tax exclusion will increase to $19,000 per recipient. Nevertheless, individuals can still give more than this amount by filing a gift tax return with the IRS and utilizing their lifetime gift tax exemption of $13.99 million in 2025, as stated by Boudreaux.

Notably, direct funding for education is not subject to gift tax limitations, he stated.