Being disciplined when it comes to money is a challenge, but a new year is the perfect time for a reset. Developing new financial habits is easier if you take things one day at a time and allow yourself to grow into them \u2014 and give yourself some time.<\/p>\n
\u201cHumans are wired to prioritize immediate satisfaction over long-term rewards \u2014 it\u2019s a phenomenon called \u2018hyperbolic discounting,’\u201d said Jack Howard, head of money wellness at Ally<\/a>. \u201cToday\u2019s digital world makes that even easier with click-and-buy technology and mindless scrolling that feeds impulsive shopping habits.\u201d<\/p>\n You won\u2019t conquer all your money goals at once, and putting too much pressure on yourself to reach lofty expectations may do more harm than good. So, in 2026, take it one step at a time. Here are nine ways to actually stick to your money resolutions this year<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n 1. Confront Your Money Stressors<\/p>\n Howard recommended being aware of how much money you are spending and finding out why.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cCommon reasons range from FOMO or social pressure to keep up with trends to small triggers like \u2018treating yourself\u2019 after a rough week,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you are overspending, explore where you learned this behavior and dig for the root issue behind the spending.\u201d<\/p>\n Trending Now: I Asked ChatGPT How Much Money I\u2019ll Need To Retire in 5 Years: Here\u2019s What It Said<\/a><\/p>\n For You: 6 Things You Must Do When Your Savings Reach $50,000<\/a><\/p>\n 2. Create a Plan for Finances Moving Forward<\/p>\n According to Howard, a good way to do this is to start practicing conscious spending.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis refers to spending extravagantly on things you want and cutting mercilessly on everything else,\u201d she explained. \u201cThis works best when you have a practical budget to reference, helping you prioritize purchases to avoid feeling guilty about spending.\u201d<\/p>\n 3. Create a List Before You Go Shopping and Stick To It<\/p>\n Consider making a list before going shopping and not deviating from it to save some money and avoid impulse purchases.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you come across a sale either online or in-store, ask yourself if the item is on your shopping list,\u201d Howard said. \u201cBe wary of shopping for fun in your downtime when there isn\u2019t an item you need.\u201d<\/p>\n 4. Reflect on Your Purchases Before You Buy<\/p>\n Another common shopping tactic is to wait and reflect on any purchases before you actually buy.<\/p>\n \u201cAsk yourself, how will you feel about this purchase in three, six or nine months from now,\u201d Howard explained. \u201cI often implement the \u201948-hour rule\u2019 where I sit on purchasing an item for a full two days before I follow through with buying it. This small window of time helps you decide if you really want or need the item.\u201d<\/p>\n 5. Avoid Comparing Yourself to Others<\/p>\n Howard said that when you compare your experiences to those of others, you can lose sight of your values and overspend.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cAccording to the book \u2018Wellbeing\u2019 by Tom Rath and Jim Harter, if you\u2019re feeling pressured to buy things in order to \u2018keep up\u2019 with others, you may want to give more attention to your social and career well-being,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n 6. Use Budgeting Apps or Tools<\/p>\n Howard said that budgeting apps<\/a> or tools offered by your bank can help you stick to your money resolutions. One tool you could consider is Ally\u2019s buckets tool, which allows you to visually keep tabs on savings for necessities, fun and emergency funds.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThese digital tools also make it easier to stay motivated with alerts, reminders and automatic transfers so you can make progress without overthinking it,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n 7. Automate Savings or Investments<\/p>\n Howard said that sometimes, your biggest enemy is yourself when it comes to managing money, and automating deposits can help solve the problem.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cSlow and steady wins the race for goals like a down payment or retirement, but really, the sooner you start, the better,\u201d she explained. \u201cBy intentionally making space for the future in your budget, you will develop important habits \u2014 and accrue some interest \u2014 that your future self will thank you for.\u201d<\/p>\n 8. Share Your Money Goals<\/p>\n Sharing your money goals with others is a great way to keep you accountable and motivated.<\/p>\n \u201cIt can feel vulnerable at the time, but sharing your money goals with someone you trust not only helps keep you accountable but also tends to make you more motivated,\u201d Howard said. \u201cThis looks different for everyone. Some people might prefer weekly or quarterly check-ins with their partner, while others may be looking for more traditional support from a financial advisor.\u201d<\/p>\n 9. Identify Your \u2018Why\u2019<\/p>\n Howard explained that managing your finances isn\u2019t only about budgeting skills. It\u2019s also about the psychology, behaviors and emotions that are tied to money.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThat can include how your family did \u2014 or didn\u2019t \u2014 discuss finances growing up, misconceptions and traditions society teaches us, or mindless scrolling through social feeds that urge us to keep up with what we see online,\u201d she explained.\u00a0<\/p>\n Howard suggested taking a moment to reflect on the past year and identify the moments that resulted in the most joy, allowed you to lean into your passion or genuinely inspired you.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cTo make those financial resolutions more achievable, move from \u2018what\u2019 and identify your \u2018why\u2019,\u201d she said. \u201cEach individual\u2019s \u2018why\u2019 is different, but by grounding the resolution in your values \u2014 rather than job security, family or a host of other factors \u2014 you are more likely to stick to it.\u201d<\/p>\n Howard suggested making those things a reality once you understand your motivations. She encouraged everyone to visualize what their dream life would look like in key well-being areas, including career, community, health, finances and relationships. Best of luck!<\/p>\n Caitlyn Moorhead<\/a> contributed to the reporting for this article.<\/p>\n More From GOBankingRates<\/p>\n This article originally appeared on
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