As we welcome 2025, it's natural to reflect on the significance of the year ahead. We’re nearly a quarter of the way through the 21st century—an interesting milestone, to be sure. But why do we find meaning in such markers? It turns out this is an example of a cognitive bias known as apophenia—our tendency to see patterns and assign meaning to dates, numbers, or events, even if they are arbitrary (think about how many people choose their birthday as a lottery number). While this bias might not always be logical, we can use it to our advantage!
"Significant" dates like the start of a new year offer us a moment to pause, reflect, and reset. While you may assign your own significance to 2025, this is an ideal time to take stock of your financial past and future. Have you been putting off any important financial tasks that deserve your attention? Here are a few to consider: