‘The Great Lock-In’ isn’t just about steps and salads — it can jump-start your money goals, too

As 2025 winds down, a TikTok challenge called “The Great Lock-In” is having a moment. The idea is simple: from Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, you “lock in” — internet-speak for laser-focus — and sprint to the finish on goals you’ve been putting off. For many, that’s gym time and greens. But the same mindset works wonders for your wallet.

There are no hard rules here, which is part of the charm.

“It’s like New Year’s resolutions’ little sister,” says financial therapist Lindsay Bryan-Podvin, who runs the Mind Money Balance podcast and blog.

San Diego resident Julissa Mercedes, 28, is using it to stash a $2,500 emergency fund.

“Having some liquid cash will make me feel a little bit safer,” she says.

She’s also using the window to dial in a morning routine, pick up a hobby, and even make a new friend.

If your January promise to pay down debt or cut impulse spending fell off by spring, this four-month push can be the reset.

“People are tired of feeling stuck,” says personal-finance educator Ben Markley, host of “Sketchy Advice” by YNAB.

His take: start by actually looking under the hood — income in, money out — and then set targets you can realistically hit by New Year’s. Think of it like a 5K, not a marathon, says Bryan-Podvin. Goals that blow up your life for a few weeks rarely stick; ones that fit your budget and routine tend to last.

Habits beat hype. If you want to spend less on takeout, build a cooking fallback you’ll actually use: a rotation of easy, edible meals at your skill level. Track the habit with whatever you’ll stick to — calendar reminders, a notes app, a habit tracker — so your phone nudges you before your cravings do. Community helps, too. Mercedes is posting her progress on TikTok because the public check-in keeps her honest:

“Seeing that people are still watching makes me feel like they’re part of the journey, too.”

Use the season to get intentional with your cash. Markley’s rule of thumb is to give every dollar a job so you’re not swiping on autopilot. A quick weekly money check-in — solo or with a partner — can keep you aligned and adjust for curveballs. And if the Lock-In vibe isn’t for you? No shame.

“It’s no reflection on your character if you don’t pull it off,” Markley says.

The point is progress, not perfection — and a few focused months is plenty of time to make a dent.

The original story by Adriana Morga for AP.