New survey reveals nearly all 2026 New Year’s resolutions will have a financial component.

November 19, 2025 – A new Wells Fargo survey, with data collected by Ipsos among U.S. adults 25 years of age or older with a household income under $100,000 finds nearly all planning on New Year’s resolutions for 2026 are considering finances as part of their 2026 resolutions, with saving more money the top resolution. Among those setting financial resolutions, confidence in achieving those goals in the coming year is high with one-third very confident, half somewhat confident, and only one-in-seven less than somewhat confident. Financial goal setting adds a feeling of financial control and makes it easier to say no to unnecessary spending for the majority. Saving money has a positive association with self-care, happiness, and freedom for most, even though about half are at odds with spending versus saving.

Detailed Findings

• 2026 New Year’s Resolutions: 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. These financial goal setters have fairly high confidence in achieving the goals in 2026.
  • 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. Goal setting increases confidence and helps reduce unnecessary spending for most.
  • 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.

These are findings of a Wells Fargo survey, with data collection provided by Ipsos, conducted between November 6 and November 10, 2025. For this survey, a sample of 1,369 adults aged 25 and older, residing within the United States, with an annual household income under $100,000 were surveyed online in English. The results of this research have a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.0 percentage points for all respondents. Further details about the methodology can be found below.

For full results, please refer to the following annotated questionnaire:

Full Annotated Questionnaire

As we step into a new year, many people set goals to improve their lives—personally, professionally, and financially. We’d love to hear about your resolutions and what financial priorities are top of mind for you in 2026.

About the Study:

These are findings for research conducted between November 6 and November 10, 2025, by Ipsos. For this survey, a sample of 1,369 U.S. adults aged 25 and older with an annual household income under $100,000 were surveyed online in English. Surveys were collected as part of a multi-client omnibus program, where questions on various topics are included in one interview and clients share demographic information collected.

The sample was randomly drawn from Ipsos’ online panel, partner online panel sources, and “river” sampling and does not rely on a population frame in the traditional sense. After a sample has been obtained from the Ipsos panel, Ipsos calibrates respondent characteristics to be representative of the Population of U.S. adults aged 25 and older with an annual household income using standard procedures such as raking-ratio adjustments. The source of these population targets is U.S. Census 2023 American Community Survey data. The sample drawn for this study reflects fixed sample targets on age and gender. Post-hoc weights were made to the population characteristics on age, gender, education, race/ethnicity, and household income. 

Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online non-probability surveys. Instead, the precision of Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, the survey has a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.0 percentage points for all respondents. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to rounding.