Making Resolutions You’ll Actually Stick To

The new year has a way of inviting reflection. It’s a natural pause point where we close one chapter and open another. You can’t rewrite the past, but you can decide what the next chapter looks like. That’s why New Year’s resolutions have endured for thousands of years, dating all the way back to the Babylonians over 4,000 years ago.[i]

At their core, resolutions are about hope. We make them because we want progress. But while the motivation is real, follow-through often isn’t. Studies consistently show that only a small percentage of people fully stick to their resolutions.[ii] That doesn’t mean resolutions are pointless; it means most plans stop at intention.

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From a financial perspective, however, the new year is a powerful opportunity to do things differently. From a financial perspective, however, the new year is a powerful opportunity to do things differently. And that’s no coincidence. January is also recognized as Financial Wellness Month, a dedicated time to step back, assess your financial health, and make thoughtful choices for the year ahead. It’s less about drastic change and more about building a plan you can actually follow.

Financial Resolutions Matter

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Money touches nearly every part of life, yet it’s easy to put financial goals on the back burner. The new year creates a clean break. It’s an opportunity to step back and ask, Is my money aligned with the life I want to live in 2026 and beyond?

Common financial resolutions often include:

• Getting debt under control
• Saving more for retirement
• Building or replenishing an emergency fund
• Getting organized for taxes
• Reviewing insurance and estate documents

These aren’t flashy goals, but they’re foundational. When handled intentionally, they create stability, flexibility, and peace of mind.

Start With Clarity, Not Pressure

One reason resolutions fail is that they’re often too vague or too ambitious. “Save more” or “do better with money” sounds good but it’s hard to act on.

Instead, start by understanding your current position. Knowing your net worth, reviewing last year’s financial wins and missteps, and identifying what actually matters to you sets the stage for meaningful progress. Clarity turns goals from abstract ideas into something tangible.

From there, focus on three to five specific, realistic goals. Fewer goals mean more focus – and better odds of success.

Build Habits That Do the Heavy Lifting

The most successful financial resolutions aren’t about willpower; they’re about systems.

Automation is your friend. Automatically funding savings, retirement accounts, or debt payments removes emotion from the process and builds consistency without constant decision-making. Small, steady actions done repeatedly often outperform big, short-lived efforts.

It’s also important to break large goals into manageable steps. Paying off debt or building an emergency fund can feel overwhelming until you zoom in on the next actionable move. Progress compounds, and momentum matters.

Accountability Changes Everything

Following through is easier when you’re not doing it alone. An accountability partner – especially a trusted financial advisor – can help turn intentions into execution. Advisors provide perspective, structure, and course-corrections along the way, so goals stay aligned as life evolves.

And don’t overlook the power of celebrating small wins. Progress is motivating when you acknowledge it.

A Resolution That Lasts Beyond January

The most effective financial resolutions aren’t about perfection. Life happens. Plans change. What matters is having a framework you can return to again and again.

As part of our spotlight on Financial Wellness Month, we’ve created a simple Financial Reset worksheet. It’s designed to be filled out in just a few minutes and brought to your next financial review as a guide for what matters most to you.

As you step into 2026, think less about “fixing” your finances and more about directing them. A thoughtful plan, paired with the right guidance, can help ensure this year’s goals don’t quietly fade by February but instead shape the years ahead.

[i] https://www.history.com/articles/the-history-of-new-years-resolutions

[ii] https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/01/29/new-years-resolutions-who-makes-them-and-why/