(InvestigateTV) — As the calendar inches closer to a new year, many people start thinking about resolutions and fresh starts, especially when it comes to money. If you want to start 2026 on the right financial foot, experts say the first step is getting honest about where you stand right now.
To start off 2026 on the right foot, you need to examine where you currently are financially.
Kionnie Epps, creator of the popular YouTube channel “The Responsible Homegirl,” said one of the biggest mistakes people make is avoiding their numbers, whether it is how much they owe or how much they earn.
She said numbers can cause anxiety, shame and even embarrassment. Her advice: Do not let them. Face your finances.
“Once you’ve got a clear picture of where you currently are, it’s almost like a breath of fresh air, like you can look at where you currently are right now. And then the second thing is make plans for where you want to go. So, if I’m looking at my finances and I’m like, ‘okay, I have way too much debt and not enough savings, that is a clear indicator of something that I can work on,” Epps said.
Epps stressed the importance of setting clear, specific goals instead of vague targets. Rather than simply saying you want to save $10,000, she suggests tying your goal to something concrete and meaningful. That can make you more likely to stick with your financial resolutions past the first few weeks of the year.
The next step, she said, is to be honest about what you are willing to change.
Epps encourages people to ask themselves: What are some things that I am willing to do differently this year to make my goal a reality?
“What are some things that I don’t mind sacrificing on to make these goals a reality? Because sometimes we have to go through a sacrifice season where we can’t do all of the same things if we want to be in a better place financially. And then the last thing that I would suggest is just starting today. So, no matter where you are, right now, start today,” she said.
That means not waiting for the ball to drop on New Year’s Eve and not waiting for a promotion or a new job to begin.
Do not wait on the calendar change or wait on getting a new job, Epps says. Start your new goals right away.
Make them a way of life, something you live and breathe, to build better money habits and improve your financial situation in 2026 and beyond.
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