What Americans Think of New Year’s Resolutions

Do you believe in New Year’s Resolutions? For the Americans who follow the practice, financial goals are at the top of their list for 2026. A new study found 37% of Americans 25 or older who make less than $100,000 per year expect to make resolutions for the new year. Among those, a whopping 97% have or will be setting financial goals. Here’s a breakdown of the poll results:

• Just under two-in-five (37%) Americans age 25 or older with an annual household income under $100,000 have or expect to have any New Year’s resolutions for 2026. The other three-in-five do not have nor expect to have any New Year’s resolutions for 2026 (42%) or are not yet sure (22%).
•  
• 2026 Financial New Year’s Resolutions: Among those who have or expect to have New Year’s resolutions for 2026, nearly all (97%) have already set or are considering financial resolutions as part of their 2026 resolutions…
• •  
  • Among those with 2026 New Year’s resolution plans, saving more money is the top financial resolution, garnering 70% selection. About half (49%) resolve to spend less or reduce expenses, while roughly two-in-five strive to improve their credit score (39%), pay off debt (38%), or start a side hustle or new income stream (35%). Survey participants selected almost four (3.7) of the twelve financial resolution types presented.
  •  
  • Among those planning New Year’s financial resolutions in 2026, one-third (34%) are very confident they will achieve their financial goals, followed by half (52%) who are somewhat confident, and one-in-seven (14%) not very confident or not confident at all.
  •  
• Financial Goal Setting: The majority (72%) of Americans age 25 or older with an annual household income under $100,000 feel tracking financial goals helps keep them accountable as opposed to the 28% who state tracking financial goals feels so overwhelming they avoid it altogether….
•  
  • A large portion (85%) agree (strongly + somewhat) they feel more confident when having clear financial goals.
  •  
  • Eight-in-ten (81%) agree having financial goals makes it easier to say no to unnecessary spending.
  • Another eight-in-ten (80%) agree that creating a budget helps them feel more in control of their finances.
  •  
  • Nearly two-thirds (64%) agree setting financial goals is easy – sticking to them is where they have difficulty.
  •  
  • Fewer than four-in-ten (39%) agree they find it challenging to align my personal goals with my family’s priorities, with 51% disagreeing (disagree strongly 22% + disagree somewhat 29%) and 11% responding this does not apply to them.
  •  
  • About one-quarter seek financial goal guidance from family members (27%) and/or financial professionals (24%). Additionally, an equal portion turns to friends (16%), financial apps/budgeting tools (16%), and books/articles/podcasts (16%) for guidance in setting financial goals. One-third (34%) do not seek guidance, doing it themselves.
  •  
• Attitudes Toward Savings: While saving money has a favorable connotation in terms of self-care, happiness, and freedom, a compromise between saving and spending exists.
•  
  • More than four in five (81%) feel saving money feels like self-care versus 19% who feel saving money feels like self-denial.
  •  
  • The majority (72%) also feel saving money makes them happy as compared with 28% who state saving money means sacrificing happiness.
  •  
  • Saving money gives 70% freedom versus 30% who select saving money limits my freedom.
  •  
  • Affordability to save is split between 56% who state they can’t afford not to save right now versus 44% who can’t afford to save right now.
  •  
  • Nearly equal proportions spend first and save what’s left (51%) versus saving first and spending what’s left (49%).
  •  
  • Almost half (48%) agree (strongly + somewhat) with the statement I believe enjoying life now is more important than saving for the future.
  •  
  • Similarly, nearly half (47%) agree they often spend impulsively, even when they intend to save.
  • Three in ten (30%) agree they rely on their credit card too much, even when it’s not the best financial choice.

Read the full article here.

Setting resolutions is not essential for meeting your financial goals, of course. But it can help you recognize and focus on the specific areas that can have the most impact. Having a goal to work toward helps increase your chances of success, too!