Making Financial New Year’s Resolutions That Last Beyond January

By Evergreen Credit Union's Jeanna Coates and Emma Pierce

The start of a new year often brings renewed motivation. Many people resolve to eat healthier, exercise more, or break old habits. But while these goals begin with good intentions, they often fade within weeks. Financial resolutions follow a similar pattern.

Saving more money, paying down debt, or preparing for the future are among the most common New Year’s promises and also among the hardest to keep. This year, Evergreen Credit Union is encouraging families to take a more realistic approach by focusing on “financially fit” resolutions that move people forward within real budgets and real lives.

National data shows how common and challenging these goals can be. According to a 2024 survey by the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board), 97% of Americans say they begin the year with at least one financial goal. Common priorities include paying down debt, saving for a major purchase like a home or car, and thinking ahead to retirement. Yet nearly nine in ten Americans say rising costs or existing debt make those goals difficult to reach. Evergreen’s financial counseling team says the issue is rarely motivation. More often, people struggle because they do not know where to begin.

“Most people have reasonable goals but no clear starting point,” says Jeanna Coates, Community Partnerships Manager and Certified Credit Union Financial Counselor (CCUFC) with Evergreen Credit Union. “You can say you want to buy a car or a home in 2026, but unless you take the first step now, nothing really changes. Progress comes from knowing what to do next.”

The Evergreen Financial Counseling team focuses on three key ideas to help people turn New Year’s resolutions into lasting momentum.

Start With a Goal That Has Meaning
Many people begin the year with broad resolutions such as “save more” or “spend less.” While those ideas sound good, they can be hard to follow without a personal reason behind them. Coates encourages people to start by identifying a goal that matters to them. That might include buying a home, replacing a vehicle, saving for retirement, investing for the future, or building an emergency fund.

These goals are common nationwide. A Discover Financial Services survey from 2024 found that 54% of Americans plan to make a financial resolution, with top priorities including saving more money, spending less, building emergency savings, improving credit scores, and paying off debt.

“When a goal connects to something meaningful, people are more likely to stick with it,” Coates says. “That sense of purpose helps turn an idea into steady progress.”

Make Room for Progress in Real Life
One reason financial resolutions fall apart is that they do not reflect day-to-day expenses. Housing costs, groceries, childcare, heating bills, and unexpected expenses all compete for limited income.

“The focus should be on what fits your life right now,” Coates explains. “It’s not about cutting out everything enjoyable. It’s about finding balance so saving feels possible, not stressful.” Research supports this approach. A 2025 report from NerdWallet found that while 65% of Americans set a savings goal, 78% said rising expenses or unexpected costs got in the way. Only a small percentage were able to move closer to long-term goals such as saving for a home down payment.

“This tells us people are trying,” Coates says. “But without flexibility, it’s easy to lose momentum.”

Turn Intentions Into Momentum Over Time
Evergreen also encourages people to think beyond a single calendar year. Financial goals rarely happen all at once.

“If buying a home is the goal, this year might be about improving credit or setting aside a small amount regularly,” Coates says. “If retirement or investing is the focus, the first step could be learning the basics and setting up automatic contributions.”

Breaking big goals into smaller actions makes them easier to manage and easier to maintain, even when life changes.

A Resolution That Lasts Beyond January
When financial resolutions fail, it is rarely because people do not care. More often, the goal feels overwhelming or progress feels out of reach.

Evergreen Credit Union’s focus on financial fitness helps members move forward with confidence. When goals feel manageable and direction is clear, people are less likely to give up when expenses change or life gets busy.

This New Year, the most meaningful resolution may not be about doing more. It may be about choosing a direction that feels possible and continuing to move forward.

More about Evergreen Credit Union
Evergreen Credit Union is Maine’s fourth-largest credit union, with more than $620 million in assets and over 32,000 members across Maine’s six southernmost counties. Evergreen offers free financial coaching with its team of Certified Credit Union Financial Counselors (CCUFC).

For more information, visit egcu.org/tips

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