Why You Should Be Setting Micro-Goals

It’s that time of year again: wallets are thin, Back2School ads are everywhere, and both mashonisas (loan sharks) and banks are flooded with urgent loan requests. Sound familiar? For most of us, January feels like a financial hangover, with our bank accounts practically begging for mercy.

The truth is, all this stress could have been avoided if we had planned for these Janu-worries by setting financial micro-goals.

Micro-goals are small, manageable steps that help you move forward without feeling overwhelmed. It’s like committing to one push-up a day instead of a two-hour gym session. Small? Yes. Effective? Absolutely, when done consistently over time.

The problem with big resolutions

Let’s be honest. How often do New Year’s resolutions stick? I’ve jotted down my fair share of grand goals: saving 50% of my income, hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro, running a marathon, travelling to Bali. And I’ve fallen flat more often than not. The problem isn’t the ambition—it’s the lack of structure.

Traditional resolutions are often too big, too vague, and too easy to give up on by February. Promising to save R10,000 this year sounds great, but if December left you broke, where do you even begin?

Why micro-goals work

Micro-goals break big ambitions into smaller, achievable steps. Instead of aiming to save R10,000, start with R20 a day. By the end of the month, you’ll see progress and that momentum builds confidence and happiness.

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Franc makes micro-goals even easier to set up. Franc is a goal-based investing app, where you can save and invest how much you want, when you want – with no minimums. Join a weekly savings challenge on the app to help you stay accountable (and stand a chance to boost your savings), or set a savings or investment goal like “Stress-Free January” and make monthly contributions. Frequent deposits don’t just grow your savings; they also give you a sense of accomplishment with every step forward.

Some micro-goal ideas for January 💡

Do a daily savings challenge: Save R20 a day (or whatever you can afford). It’s less than the price of a braai pack and could cover a Valentine’s Day gift (if that’s your thing).
Schedule a weekly spend-free day: Pick one day a week to spend nothing. No airtime, no snacks—nothing. It might feel tough at first, but it builds discipline. Without this habit, being broke might force it on you anyway.
Make debt mini-payments: Pay an extra R100 on your credit card or loan every week. Every bit counts. Clearing debt brings freedom and makes you think twice before taking on more.

Small wins like these build habits that lead to big changes.

From Dezemba to January: Planning for next year

We all love Ke Dezemba vibes, but next time, let’s plan ahead. Starting now, we can make next year’s January feel less like a crisis. It’s about having fun responsibly. Whether that means a BYOB (bring your own bottle) braai or skipping the hosting duties altogether.

What’s one micro-goal you ~~can~~ will start today that your future self will thank you for?