6 Tips to Keep Your Financial Resolutions in 2026
Millions of Americans start each year with at least one New Year’s resolution. If you are making a resolution this year, chances are it has to do with your finances. Last year, the number one resolution was to save more money, even more than to improve physical health.
Use a budgeting app
The first step to improving your financial health is knowing where your money is going. Budget tracking apps will allow you to link your financial accounts to see all your transactions in one place. Just seeing where your money is going every day can open your eyes to ways you can easily reduce spending.
Work together with your partner
Making financial goals is a team effort. Couples often have different ideas about money, and it may feel daunting to get on the same page. Each person comes into a relationship with their own “money scripts” – beliefs about money that have been shaped over time by their upbringing and life experiences. Start with small goals you can both agree on and make sure both of you have access to your budgeting app for daily tracking.
Practice “Habit Stacking”
One way to start a new habit is to add the new action onto an existing habit. This is called “habit stacking.” You can categorize your spending while you brush your teeth or when you sit down to have your coffee and read the news in the morning.
Reward your progress
If you set large goals, they might take a long time to achieve. It will be harder to stay on track if all you see is the mountain ahead, like paying off student debt or saving enough for retirement. Set smaller goals along the way and reward yourself for those accomplishments. If you and your partner track your spending for an entire month, reward yourselves with a coffee date or a movie night at home with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s.
Automate your savings
When you see money in your bank account, you’re likely to spend it. Instead, save money directly from your paycheck with 401k deferrals. If you have other saving goals like building an emergency fund or college savings, set up monthly automatic transfers to those accounts so the savings happen before you even see the funds.
Put your savings to work
Now that you have put in the hard work to save, make sure that your savings continue to work for you. Take a look at how your savings are invested. It might help to consult with a financial advisor to determine if your investments are aligned with your goals, or if they might be holding you back.
With all of these ideas, you would likely benefit from talking to a financial consultant about addressing your plans for 2026. A trusted advisor can provide you with the knowledge to assess these potentially complicated topics, and can help keep you on track as you strive to make your resolutions a reality.
This article is provided by Dan Hedge, CFP®, CKA®, a financial consultant at Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. in St. Charles, IL, and was prepared by or in cooperation with Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. The information included in this article is not intended to be used as the primary basis for making investment decisions nor should it be construed as a recommendation to buy or sell any specific security. Benjamin F. Edwards & Co. does not endorse this organization or publication. Consult your investment professional for additional information and guidance. Benjamin F. Edwards does not provide tax or legal advice.
Benjamin F. Edwards & Co., Member SIPC and FINRA
2025-3174 Exp. 12/31/2026
