6 New Year’s Money Resolutions That Really Work
Money decisions only stick if they are built to last. About 61% of US adults base their New Year’s resolutions on money or finances, according to data from the Pew Research Center. Tracking is a different story: An October Vanguard survey found that nearly 75% of Americans were unable to achieve their money resolutions by 2025.
For many people, unrealistic goals are a sticking point. Ambitious decisions quickly fade away, so instead of trying to completely overhaul finances, focus on small, sustainable changes that have a big impact.
Here are a few of our favorites.
1. Put your savings on autopilot
Directing a portion of each paycheck to a high-yield savings account (HYSA) is one of the easiest ways to build your savings.
As of this writing, the best HYSAs offer annual percentage yields (APYs) above 4% — more than 10 times the national average. Bread Savings and Newtek Bank, both, offer 4.05% and 4.35% APYs, respectively.
The upside is twofold: You’re less likely to use something you don’t see, and you don’t have to remember to do the transfer yourself.
If you’re not sure how much money you can realistically set aside, budgeting apps can help you see where your money is going and identify an amount that won’t affect your cash flow.
2. The size of your 401(k) match.
If your employer offers you a retirement match allowance – usually up to 4% or 5% of your salary – this is something you should take advantage of.
The start of the year is a good time to reassess your retirement account, review how much you’re putting in each month and make sure you’re not leaving any free money on the table.
3. Determine the (financial) fat.
Recurring debts can be quietly consolidated. Between forgotten subscriptions and dramatic price increases, it’s easy to pay for services you no longer need (or even use).
Doing a quick study of your monthly expenses can free up money with relatively little effort. You can do this manually, by reviewing your bank statements line by line, or use a budgeting app to automate the process.
4. Organize
Staying on top of your finances isn’t just about budgeting and cutting back – it’s also about knowing exactly where your most important documents live. From insurance policies and tax records to IDs and passports, scattered papers can make everything from filing taxes to dealing with emergencies unnecessarily stressful.
Backing up and consolidating important documents in one secure location is a decision that pays off year-round. Digital vault tools are designed for this purpose, and allow you to store important documents, passwords and identification cards in one encrypted digital location.
5. Prioritize stability over strategy
You may have heard of the “pay yourself first” approach, which emphasizes sending money directly into your investment accounts and saving as soon as your paycheck arrives. The concept is simple, but if you’re working your way out of debt, it’s wrong.
Prioritizing important expenses that have real consequences if neglected — like rent, student loans and credit card payments — helps support a solid financial foundation. If your 2026 resolution is to make meaningful progress toward paying off debt, take care of your negotiable budget before spending money elsewhere.
6. Build your budget to last
The goal of budgeting is not to deprive yourself of the things you enjoy, but to make your money work harder for you.
Start by mapping out fixed income and expenses, then set aside a realistic amount to spend as you see fit. Tools that track spending and break down expenses can simplify this process — and help you adjust as your habits and priorities change over time.
More from Mali:
Budgeting Apps Get Smarter. Here’s How To Find One You’ll Actually Use
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