Start by reviewing your credit, budget and spending. Then set a clear financial goal and break it into smaller monthly steps so you can track progress and stay consistent over time.
Learning Center / Financial Planning / How To Set and Stick To New Financial Goals
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How to Set and Stick to New Financial Goals
Key takeaways
- Start with a clear picture of your finances by reviewing your credit, budget, and spending.
- Break large goals into smaller monthly steps to make progress feel manageable.
- Use resources early – emergency savings, workplace benefits, and community programs can help reduce financial stress.
New Year’s resolutions come in many forms, from fitness goals to productivity hacks to bucket-list aspirations. But don't forget about your finances, either. When it comes to your financial health, a new year is the perfect time to evaluate where you’ve been and where you’re hoping to go — by taking concrete steps and completing mini-goals along the way.
“Everyone should be looking at their finances, but not everyone wants to,” said Mandy Kelso, Head of Financial Education, TD Bank U.S. “Think of it as investing in your own future. The amount of time you put into planning will pay dividends in the long run.”
Here are six helpful tips for setting yourself up for financial success in 2026 and beyond.
1. Why check your credit report
Ignorance isn’t bliss, especially when it comes to your credit report.
If even the thought of reading a credit report — which is available for free once per year — gives you the same anxiety as taking an exam in high school, check out our quick and easy guide to make it painless. If you are unsure what you are looking for, visit our online learning on Credit Scores and Reports. Before long, you’ll know your FICO score like you know your phone number — and you'll have taken an important step in safeguarding yourself from fraud.
If you are aiming to limit credit card usage, it is not always recommended to close the account(s), which can impact your credit score. Instead, think like winter and freeze it. This way, you won’t impact your available credit, but you will ensure nobody else can try to use it either, Mandy noted.
2. Do I need a budget?
It’s easy to think of a budget as a vehicle to limit fun, but establishing a budget will help you say “yes” in the future to the things and experiences you really want. Fewer than half of adults in the U.S. have a budget and track spending, but it's an essential tool for the 26% of Americans who are spending more than they make, a number that has jumped 19% from the previous year, according to the Finra Foundation.
“Update that budget and confirm what your monthly expenses are really like… make sure none of them have increased without your knowing,” Mandy said.
And don’t forget an important part of knowing your cash flow: the subscriptions we all forget we’ve been paying. Ask if each one is still serving you, then start unsubscribing.
“If you haven't used that app in six months and you have no specific purpose for that app: Boom, out the door. The new year is a great time for a clean start,” Mandy said.
3. How do I set realistic financial goals?
Mandy recommended being specific about your goals both for the short-and-long term.
Some of these types of short-term goals might be taking that big European trip you’ve dreamed about or paying for a new car. While they might seem impossible, they can happen with some reverse planning or starting with the end goal in mind. Break down your goal into smaller, attainable milestones to keep up motivation along the way. For example, if you want to save a certain amount for a trip you want to take in two years, divide the amount of savings needed by the number of remaining months to ensure you have a plan, not just a hope, that it happens.
Mandy also suggested picturing where you want to be financially at three specific points: in the next year, the next five years and the next 10 years. Your financial decisions now will make or break your ability to reach those goals.
“Let's think big,” she said. “Let's get those big, hairy goals out there so that we can align our finances. It's not Mission Impossible. It's Mission Budget. You can make it happen.”
4. Why is an emergency fund important?
No one likes being caught off guard, and when it comes to money and unexpected expenses, a well-established emergency fund can prevent difficult situations in the future. Yet it’s an everyday occurrence for some Americans. The TD Bank Financial Preparedness Survey for 2025 found that nearly three in four respondents (72%) have been impacted by unexpected bills. Among those affected, 59% went into debt, and half (51%) had to reallocate part of their budget or savings.
“Figure out what your emergency savings need to be,” Mandy said. “The rule of thumb is three months, but we are living in uncertain times. Now, you might need more than three months. This accounts for a tough job market where it might take more time to land in another stable position.”
At the beginning of the year, take a look at your equity. This includes ownership in a home as well as other financial assets like savings, stocks, bonds, retirement accounts along with physical assets such as potentially valuable possessions that could be sold. Figure out where your equity lives, Mandy recommended, and how accessible it is. “If you don't have enough liquid equity, that means you need to beef up your savings.”
5. What resources can help me stay on track?
Many jobs offer more than just a paycheck for your financial wellbeing; today’s workplaces offer tools or resources that can improve your financial health, Mandy noted. These benefits might include:
- Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
- Dependent Care/Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Financial counseling programs
- Mental health care programs, apps, or stipends.
6. What should I do if I'm struggling financially?
With a fluctuating economy driving financial concerns common across the country, it’s important to prioritize asking for more help when it is needed.
“Keep in mind that oftentimes you have to go looking for these resources because they're offered by smaller nonprofits,” Mandy said. “As citizens, we really need to seek them out. Ask the question — it never hurts.”
Some resources include:
- FindHelp.org — Those who are unemployed or don’t have employer-based resources can look for food banks, school supply assistance and other community resources here.
- Fundica — For small businesses, local grant opportunities await, if you know where to look. Start here.
- Financial education modules like the TD Bank Learning Center provide information on many key financial topics.
- Estate planning modules — It’s tough to talk about, but estate planning should be on your 2026 to-do list if you haven’t completed it already. This TD article provides suggestions on how to get started.
- Government resources at all levels — Don’t overlook local, state or federal funding that could take some items off your bottom line to free up your budget for other essentials.
- Other resources — From support services to technical help, look to the United Way, YMCA and other nonprofits.
The best plan begins with writing down where you want to be in a year and setting monthly to-dos from there, whether it’s meeting with an estate planning attorney or attending workshops to learn more about debt-management strategies. You can achieve your financial goals this year, and for decades into the future, with some minor tweaks and planning that starts now.
FAQs
Start by reviewing your full financial picture, including your credit report, monthly expenses, subscriptions and savings. From there, write down where you want to be by the end of 2026 and break those goals into smaller monthly steps.
Checking your credit report can help you understand your financial standing, spot potential errors and identify signs of fraud. It can also help you make more informed decisions before applying for credit or working toward a major financial goal.
Build your budget around your real monthly expenses, then look for costs that may have increased or no longer serve you, such as unused subscriptions. A budget can help you prioritize what matters most and create room for future goals.
Focus on building or strengthening an emergency fund and understanding where your accessible savings or other assets are. If money concerns feel overwhelming, consider workplace benefits, financial education tools, nonprofits or government programs that may offer support.
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