The Great Lock-In: How to Reset Your Finances Before the New Year

The viral TikTok trend “The Great Lock In” dares people to turn September–December into a laser-focused season to intensively work on their personal goals, from getting fit to resetting their finances, rather than waiting for January to start. 

The trend has exploded worldwide over the past month, with Google searches for the term skyrocketing 1,733% to hit 28,000.

Olle Pettersson, personal finance expert at independent finance information site Finansplassen weighs in on this trend:

“September to December is often a ‘lost season’ for money. People either drift financially after summer or overspend in the run-up to the holidays. The Great Lock-In reframes that period as a chance to reset.

By starting now, you can enter the holiday season with more control, less debt pressure, and a clearer plan for the year ahead. It’s an opportunity to turn what is usually a financially challenging time into one of the most productive seasons for building habits.”

Pettersson shares six tips to help you kick-start “The Great Lock-In” and transform your finances before the year ends:

Start with a Financial Reality Check 

Before you lock in, spend your first week tracking every single pound you spend. Don’t change anything, just write it down. This reality check shows you exactly where your money goes and gives you the motivation to stay locked in when things get tough. Most people are shocked by what they discover in just seven days.

Set Up Your Money on Autopilot Day One 

Don’t wait to “ease into” saving. Immediately set up automatic transfers to savings and automatic payments for all your bills. Front-load the boring stuff so your willpower can focus on the harder changes.

Choose One Debt and Go All-In 

Pick your smallest debt or highest interest debt and commit to eliminating it during the lock-in period. Calculate exactly how much extra you need to pay each month until December 31st. Having one clear target keeps you motivated when you want to quit.

Create a £1,000 Emergency Fund Challenge 

Commit to saving your first £1,000 during the lock-in period. That’s about £8 per day. Find that money immediately by cancelling one subscription, selling something you don’t need, or picking up one extra shift per week. Make it a game: see how fast you can find £8 daily without changing your lifestyle dramatically.

Delete All Shopping Apps and Unsubscribe from Sales Emails 

Take 30 minutes on day one to delete every shopping app from your phone and unsubscribe from every store email list. This removes the temptation during weak moments during the lock-in period. You can always re-download them in January, but removing the friction stops impulse buys.

Write Your December 31st Victory Letter 

On day one, write yourself a letter dated December 31st, 2025, describing exactly how you’ll feel when you’ve completed the lock-in period. Be specific: “I have £1,000 in savings,” “I paid off my credit card,” or “I didn’t buy anything I didn’t need for four months.” Read this letter whenever you want to give up during the lock-in period.

Pettersson adds:

“The Great Lock-In works best when you set yourself up properly at the start and stay consistent. Many people lose momentum because they take on too much at once or set unrealistic expectations.

Set clear goals, avoid temptations, and start by putting systems in place. Those who start strong in September and stick with steady habits are the ones most likely to see meaningful financial progress by the new year.”

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