Even financial advisers make money-related New Year’s resolutions. So we asked 10 of them: What financial resolutions are you making for 2026?
“My resolution is to stay disciplined about investing consistently every month and not trying to time the market. Even with experience, it’s easy to get distracted by headlines and short-term moves. I’ve seen again and again that steady, regular investing through different market cycles leads to better long-term outcomes than waiting for the perfect moment,” says Jack Fu, CEO of Draco Evolution, a financial technology firm that uses AI-driven ETF strategies.
Lean into automation
“This year, my resolutions are mostly about making money work smarter and more purposefully. I’m continuing to automate as many processes and financial tasks as possible — savings, investments, rebalancing, bill pay and cash flow systems. I’ve found that automation dramatically reduces mistakes, procrastination and emotional decision making. It keeps me on track even when I’m overwhelmed with other tasks, but it’s important to review those automations periodically to make sure they still align with my goals,” says certified financial planner Don Grant.
Invest in my health — which could help my finances
“In finance, we talk about risk management and the single greatest risk to my ability to generate income and enjoy my life is my health. As an older dad with a unique spread of children — a 9-month-old baby, a 15-year-old and a 19-year-old — I don’t have the luxury of slowing down. I’ve committed to competing in two HYROX fitness races in 2026. This isn’t vanity, it’s an investment in my health and lifespan,” says Scott G. Kyle, chief investment officer at Coastwise Capital Group.
Establish an estate plan
“It’s time for my husband and I to establish an estate plan. We bought a home in 2025 and although our financial situation is straightforward for the time being, our finances will only get more complicated. By creating a revocable trust, wills, powers of attorney and advanced healthcare directives now, we’ll ensure our wishes are clear, our loved ones are taken care of and legal complications are minimized. If I get overwhelmed, I’ll remind myself that we can always amend the documents in the future, the most important step is simply setting it up,” says Hallie Kraus, certified financial planner at Treehouse Wealth Advisors.
Cut back on discretionary spending
“I eat out too much which is a big expense. I can afford it, but it’s a waste of money. I’m planning on cutting back in that area for both financial and health reasons,” says certified financial planner Joe Favorito at Landmark Wealth Management.
Increase contributions
“I am aiming to increase contributions to my children’s college savings accounts. With the significant rise in the cost of living, I am concerned that the funds I have set aside may not be sufficient to cover their living and tuition expenses if they decide to pursue higher education. I recognize that saving even a dollar today, rather than waiting two years, allows more time for the investment to grow. Even modest additional contributions, beyond what I am currently saving, are preferable to doing nothing at all,” says Mandy Kelso, head of financial education at TD Bank.
Pay fast, buy slow
“One thing I’ve been pretty good at lately and want to stick to is the ‘pay fast, buy slow’ method. This resolution could solve a lot of problems for consumers who can be impulsive during their shopping and slow to make payments. If I see an item that I want, I do my research and then take a 24 to 48 hour break from it to ensure that I actually want the item and that I’m purchasing at the right time, at a competitive price, from a reliable retailer. I also pay my bills as they arrive so I’m never behind,” says Bobby Ghoshal, CEO of Dupe.com, an AI shopping tool.
Update estate and protection planning
“Two resolutions I always prioritize are updating estate and protection planning and aligning money with time and goals. Life changes like getting married, having children or other major life events often require updates to beneficiaries, insurance and estate documents. Equally important is making sure investments match current goals and time horizon,” says certified financial planner Ryan Haiss at Flynn Zito Capital Management.
Make disciplined decisions
“A money-related New Year’s resolution I am personally making this year is to recommit to my discipline in financial decision making. If I lean away from disciplined decisions, I will find myself in decisions made by default and that environment won’t support successful financial outcomes in 2026. The balance of increased wages, stubborn inflation, combined with the desires for Americans to invest more will require astute financial discipline,” says Umberto Leone, financial adviser at Edward Jones.
Reassess our 529 plans
“My biggest financial resolution is being more intentional with how we use our 529 plans now that we have two kids in college at the same time. Our senior is just now getting college letters. When you’re saving for college, it’s easy to think the hard part is over once the money’s there. The reality is, how and when you use a 529 matters just as much as how you fund it. There are tax credits to coordinate, timing issues with distributions, investment risk to manage and real cash flow decisions to make each semester. It gets more complex when you’re juggling two different students, two different timelines and often two different 529 accounts. My resolution is to slow it down, plan each withdrawal deliberately and make sure we’re using the 529s in a tax-smart, investment-smart way, not just a convenient way,” says certified financial planner Mark Struthers at Sona Wealth Advisors.
How to stick to your resolutions
“Accept progress, not perfection. The quickest way to quash a good resolution is to set an impossible threshold. The first sign of disappointment can discourage you from continuing. You will fall off track temporarily. Reset and restart,” says Grant.
And when it comes to financial goals specifically, Struthers recommends starting small. “Let small wins compound. Start tracking spending before trying to implement a spartan budget. Automate one good decision like increasing savings 1% or setting up a weekly transfer. Pick one keystone habit that makes everything else easier. Consistency beats intensity every time,” says Struthers.