Better Year Ahead? WalletHub Finds Rising Financial Hope—Tempered By Inflation And Thrift / Fresh Today / CUToday.info

MIAMI–Nearly 60% of Americans believe 2026 will be better for their personal finances than 2025, according to a new WalletHub survey, signaling cautious optimism even as inflation remains a dominant concern for households.

The survey found that while many consumers are hopeful about the year ahead, spending restraint remains widespread. More than three in five Americans expect to spend less on New Year’s celebrations than they did last year, reflecting continued pressure on household budgets and lingering economic uncertainty.

Despite that optimism, relatively few people are planning formal financial changes. Just over one in four Americans said they intend to make a finance-related New Year’s resolution for 2026. Among those who do, saving more money is the top goal, cited by 31% of respondents. At the same time, more than half of Americans identified inflation as their biggest financial concern heading into the new year.

WalletHub also noted a growing tendency toward discretion around personal goals, with nearly three in five respondents saying they plan to keep their resolutions private rather than sharing them publicly.

“It’s interesting that nearly 60% of people expect more financial success in 2026 than they enjoyed in 2025, yet only 26% of people plan to make a finance-related New Year’s resolution,” said John Kiernan, WalletHub editor. “Hope is not a strategy, and we’re far from a situation where a rising tide is lifting all boats. People need to make some concrete plans for how they’re going to turn their financial dreams into reality.”

Alongside the survey, WalletHub released a list of its Top 16 Financial Resolutions for 2026, aimed at helping consumers navigate inflation pressures, rebuild savings, and avoid repeating financial missteps from the prior year (see below).