These Are the Top Financial New Year's Resolutions for 2026

More than half of Americans plan to set a financial New Year's resolution for 2026, but only about 2 in 5 think they'll stick with it, according to Motley Fool Money's Financial New Year's Resolution Report, featuring a survey of 2,000 adults.

However, the data reveals a clear tension: people want to save more, pay down debt, and establish better financial habits, yet most aren't confident they'll stick to their 2026 goals.

Across generations and income levels, the top money resolutions are consistent: pay off debt, save for major milestones, and cut back on spending. But motivation can fade fast, and cost pressures are the biggest cited threat to follow-through among respondents.

Here's what Americans hope to change next year about their finances -- and what stands in their way.

Paying off debt tops financial goals for 2026

Debt repayment is the most common financial resolution, with 25% of adults citing it as their top goal, according to Motley Fool Money's Financial New Year's Resolution Report.

These are the top five financial resolutions heading into 2026:

1. Paying off debt (25%)
2. Saving for a major milestone, like a home down payment, wedding, or car (16%)
3. Saving for a large purchase, like a vacation, electronics, or furniture (8%)
4. Saving more for retirement (9%)
5. Increasing income (9%)

Generational trends show:

• Gen Z focuses on saving for large financial milestones (23%) and investing (11%).
• Millennials prioritize debt repayment (26%) and saving for a large purchase (10%).
• Gen X emphasizes adding more to their retirement savings (14%) and paying down debt (28%).
• Baby boomers prioritize retirement (18%) and debt repayment (24%).

Debt remains a universal concern across generations, indicating that balancing spending with income is a significant financial stressor regardless of age. For those looking to tackle high-interest debt quickly, a balance transfer card can help consolidate balances and reduce interest costs, giving your debt repayment plan a head start.

30% of Americans with savings goals are eyeing vacations or travel

When it comes to specific savings targets for 2026, vacations and travel lead the way, at 30%, among respondents who have resolved to save for a major financial milestone. That's followed by a vehicle down payment (20%), home improvements (19%), and house down payments (16%). Education expenses, such as tuition, starting a business, and saving for a wedding, accounted for less than 10% of the respondents who are saving up for a milestone.

Generational differences include:

• Gen Z saving for vehicle down payments (25%) and education expenses (13%).
• Millennials prioritizing vacations (28%) and house down payments (19%).
• Baby boomers and Gen X focus heavily on vacations (41% and 34%) and home renovations (29% and 23%).

For those planning to make the most of their travel savings, a travel rewards credit card can help rack up points or miles while covering everyday expenses, turning short-term goals into long-term perks.

Paying off credit card debt tops 2026 repayment plans

For those aiming to tackle debt in 2026, 37% are prioritizing credit cards. Other debt types that respondents are seeking to pay down in the new year including mortgages (13%), personal loans (11%), auto loans (7%), and buy now, pay later debt (9%).

Younger generations are more likely to focus on student loan debt, credit card debt, and buy now, pay later debt. Older generations prioritize mortgage repayments in addition to credit card debt.

Less than half are optimistic about sticking to the financial goals for 2026

Only 43% of respondents believe they will successfully maintain their financial resolution in 2026. Confidence is highest among baby boomers (60%) and lowest among Gen Z (30%).

Top barriers include:

• Cost (39%)
• Difficulty maintaining habits (30%)
• Lack of time (17%)
• Insufficient knowledge (7%)
• Limited support from family/friends (7%)
  

Only a quarter of Americans kept their financial resolution in 2025

Looking back, just 27% of adults successfully maintained their financial resolution in 2025. Another 10% abandoned their goals due to cost, 7% struggled with habits, and 52% did not make a resolution at all. Younger adults attempted resolutions more frequently but were less likely to follow through, while older adults were more confident when they did set goals.

Hitting your money goals in 2026

Many Americans use the new year as an opportunity to set new financial goals. Nearly all financial New Year's resolutions tend to be long-term. They are goals that are realized over months, if not years, and require commitment of both time and money.

Given that, here are some tips that may help along the way.

1. Open a high-yield savings account to grow your cash without risk and fees.
2. Consider a balance transfer credit card to eliminate credit card interest and make paying off credit card debt more manageable.
3. Make a retirement plan and stick to it with automated deposits.
4. Strategically use a travel credit card to help build rewards that can go toward a big trip.

Of course, even the best New Year's resolutions can be tough to keep, and unforeseen circumstances can get in the way. Simply making a resolution and trying to stick with it for as long as possible, even if you don't meet all your goals, can make a significant difference.