With the arrival of 2026, countless individuals find renewed enthusiasm to tackle personal objectives, particularly those related to finance. Common aspirations include eliminating credit card debts, augmenting savings, or deepening one's understanding of financial matters. Erica Grundza, a certified financial planner affiliated with Betterment, an investment and savings platform, notes that the beginning of a new year provides an optimal occasion to reassess and realign financial priorities.
When formulating goals for the coming year, Grundza suggests concentrating on forward-looking optimism grounded in realism. She encourages individuals to reconnect with the fundamental reasons guiding their financial decisions and how these choices integrate with their lifestyle. These aims might be modest, such as consistently saving $10 weekly, or more ambitious, like amassing funds to purchase a home within a few years. The emphasis is on progress tailored to one's unique journey.
The TradeIQAI interviewed several people outlining their financial resolutions for 2026, offering diverse perspectives that may inspire others in their planning.
Emphasizing Realizable Plans Over Resolutions
MarieYolaine Toms, founder of Focused Fire, a financial coaching service, underscores the importance of setting achievable targets rather than vague resolutions. She adopts a perspective of developing plans that are practical, measurable, and adaptable. According to Toms, plans should be traceable, allowing adjustments as necessary until completion.
For instance, Toms recently advised clients to examine their credit reports from the three major credit bureaus and, based on this information, create manageable plans like incrementally increasing savings, such as adding $25 weekly to a savings account.
Creating a budget is often a crucial step towards managing money effectively. Selecting a budgeting approach compatible with one’s habits—whether the 50/30/20 rule or other methodologies—can support progress toward financial aims. Novices developing budgets can seek expert guidance to identify suitable strategies.
Addressing Debt Through Strategic Decisions
Rachel Pelovitz, age 33, confronted financial challenges after a job loss in September. Coupled with accumulated debts from her husband's year-and-a-half unemployment, Pelovitz and her spouse opted to sell their home and collaborate with a debt consolidation service to manage their obligations. Their 2026 priority includes halving their credit card debt and cautiously commencing moderate investments using part of the proceeds from selling their residence.
Focusing on Consistent Savings
For Jenni Lee, 27, the upcoming year represents an opportunity to adopt stringent habits for growing her savings. Despite a generally responsible approach to finances, recent months saw overspending she aims to reduce. Lee's larger ambition involves purchasing a home and potentially taking a trip to South Korea. To achieve these goals, she plans to curtail discretionary expenses such as clothing purchases and dining out, activities often influenced by social media microtrends that can drive impulsive spending.
Prioritizing Emergency Savings While Managing Debts
Melanie Duarte, 23, based in Worcester, balances paying off student loans and credit card debts with building an emergency fund. She allocates budget allowances, even modest amounts like $50, towards this fund to ensure gradual growth. Having grown up in a family where finances were not openly discussed, Duarte has been refining her financial relationship since launching her own marketing agency.
Striving for Harmony Between Saving and Enjoying Earnings
Finding a middle ground between securing long-term financial stability and enjoying present earnings presents challenges. Tiana Stewart, 26, motivated by the passing of her grandfather shortly after retirement, emphasizes the importance of appreciating current life while preparing for the future. In 2025, she focused on travel and personal experiences, but now aims to shift attention towards debt reduction, saving, and investing, seeking a balanced approach.
Engaging in budgeting challenges, such as no-buy periods, can support establishing discipline in spending and prioritizing saving. Participants may commit to such challenges for a month or the entire year as part of their financial strategy.
Disclaimer: This article is supported by an educational grant from the Charles Schwab Foundation, which operates independently of Charles Schwab and Co. Inc. The content reflects the editorial responsibility of the publishing entity.