If you have decided that 2026 is The Year for you to get in the best financial shape you have ever been in, you need to set the right goals to make that happen. Winging it might get you so far, but the people with the most successful habits generally follow a plan to get from A to B.
With that in mind, here are four smart money-related resolutions you can adopt to make 2026 your best financial year so far.
1. Build a Budget That Fits Your Life
Budgeting might take you back to the days of pocket money and school dinners, but it is a boring task that is worth doing. Creating a budget will help you know exactly where your money goes each month, so you can avoid overspending and work towards your investing and savings goals.
To build a budget, start by calculating your monthly income and fixed costs, then set yourself some clear spending limits for the remaining money. If spreadsheets are not your thing, you can use a free budget planner, like this one by Money Saving Expert, or download a budgeting app.
2. Start an Emergency Fund
It might be tempting to steamroll straight into an ambitious savings plan, but if you do not currently have an emergency fund, our recommendation is to start there.
An emergency fund is something you can fall back on if you ever find yourself facing an unexpected expense. If you do not have one, you will end up dipping into your other savings pots or resorting to a loan or another form of credit to make the unexpected payment. A good rule of thumb is to save three to six months' worth of living expenses, so you are covered if you face any unexpected hardship.
3. Review & Reduce Your Bills
In today’s world of subscriptions for everything, most of us are tied into at least one online streaming service, not to mention meal delivery, gym memberships and healthcare/beauty/food products that we may or may not actually need. The Guardian reported that Brits are spending up to a staggering £1,200 a year on subscription services, but could save up to £400 by killing off those that are unused.
If you cannot remember the last time you reviewed your subscriptions, do it now. Those here-and-there payments of £8.99 and £15.99 all add up and you will probably find at least one service that you can reduce in price or cut out altogether.
4. Start Investing For Your Future
Investing can seem like a scary concept if you have never done it before, but it is one of the best things you can do for your future. It is just like saving money, but those savings work for you, helping you earn more money than you would if you simply left it in your bank account.
One of the most tax-efficient ways to save for the future is with a pension. You will receive tax relief on your personal pension contributions, so you can create a retirement fund that grows free from income and capital gains tax. Tax-efficient ISAs are another low-risk option if you just want to dip your toe into investing this year.
Takeaway
Now that we are a few weeks into 2026, it is time to take your New Year’s resolutions seriously. Hopefully, this list has inspired you with some smart, achievable goals for better finances going forward.
You do not need to make any huge, overwhelming changes. Just start small, see how you can make personal finance fun and adopt new habits that help you save, spend and invest smarter in 2026 and beyond.
