From taking time off with a newborn to buying a small home, readers reveal their wishlist for the new year

• Energy caps to stamp duty changes: your personal finance diary for January-April 2025

The UK’s economic performance in 2024 was mixed to say the least: while inflation fell below the 2% target in early autumn – and has been outstripped by annual wage growth of 5.2% – it is on the rise again. Meanwhile, forecasts for the pace of interest rate cuts have been trimmed and businesses have warned they expect an imminent slowdown in activity. As the year nears its end, people from across the country have shared their financial hopes and concerns for the coming year.