As the calendar turned to 2026, Americans across the country found themselves at a familiar crossroads: the annual opportunity to hit the reset button on their finances. This year, that ritual feels even more urgent. According to a new study by Fidelity Investments released on January 1, 2026, a record 64% of Americans say they are considering making a financial resolution for the new year—an uptick from 56% last year, as reported by Fox Business. The study, which has become something of a bellwether for consumer sentiment each January, paints a picture of a nation grappling with persistent economic uncertainty, but also clinging to hope and determination.
What are Americans resolving to do with their money in 2026? The priorities are strikingly consistent with recent years, and perhaps not all that surprising given the economic headwinds many households have faced. The top three financial resolutions remain unchanged: 44% of respondents want to save more money, 36% aim to pay down debt, and 30% are determined to spend less. These figures, highlighted in both Fox Business and the original study, underscore a continued focus on the basics of financial wellness—even as the broader economy throws curveballs.
“This was the second year in a row where Americans were prioritizing more of those short-term savings,” Leanna Devinney, market leader at Fidelity Investments, told Fox Business. "So this was similar to last year where they were saying, 'I want more short-term savings goals like building up an emergency fund or paying down debt versus longer-term goals.'" That shift toward immediacy speaks volumes about the mood of the nation. With inflation still biting and market volatility fresh in people’s memories, it seems many are less interested in pie-in-the-sky retirement dreams and more focused on weathering the next unexpected storm.
And storms there have been. Fidelity’s study found that nearly three-quarters—an eye-opening 72%—of Americans experienced some kind of financial setback in 2025. Of those, 20% faced an unexpected non-health emergency, the kind of surprise expense that can upend even the best-laid plans. It’s little wonder, then, that 25% of respondents said their top priority in 2026 is to build up an emergency fund, while another 23% are resolved to stick to a spending budget. For many, the goal isn’t just to get ahead—it’s to avoid falling further behind.
The emotional toll of this financial uncertainty is palpable. According to the study, 55% of Americans say they feel overwhelmed by their personal finances, and 31% describe their relationship with money as stressful. Millennials and Gen Zers are feeling the heat most acutely, with 68% of Millennials and 64% of Gen Z respondents reporting that they are overwhelmed by their financial situations. The stress points are familiar: saving money for goals after paying monthly bills (35%), simply being able to pay those bills (34%), worrying about healthcare costs in retirement (30%), and having enough saved to retire as planned (30%).
“In 2025, 72% of Americans said they experienced some type of financial setback, and then 55% said they’re overwhelmed by their personal finances,” Devinney explained to Fox Business. “Due to rising prices, 33% shared they feel they have significantly less money.” That sense of depletion is widespread, with inflation continuing to erode purchasing power and many families dipping into savings just to make ends meet. The feeling that money isn’t going as far as it used to is hardly unique to 2026, but it’s clearly top of mind for millions.
Yet, for all the anxiety and belt-tightening, there’s a surprising undercurrent of optimism running through the data. A full 70% of respondents said they see themselves in a better or similar financial situation compared to the same time last year. Even more telling, 43% feel better about their finances than they did five years ago—a notable jump from 36% who said the same last year. It’s a reminder that, while the headlines may be dominated by tales of struggle, many Americans are quietly finding ways to adapt and even improve their financial footing.
Devinney sees this as a positive sign. “While those are factual worries, what we’re also seeing is optimism,” she noted. The beginning of 2025, she said, “really started as a roller coaster. We saw significant market volatility and then a significant market rebound, and then also just the continued concern around being able to compete with rising prices, and, year over year, we have seen tough inflation.” Despite these challenges, Americans are not giving up. Instead, they’re recalibrating—focusing on what they can control, like building emergency funds and sticking to a budget.
Why the shift toward short-term savings? Devinney offered a plausible explanation: “I think why the last two years we’re seeing a little bit more prioritization around short-term savings is probably due to some volatility that we saw, as well as Americans this time around saying that they did have to dip into some of their savings.” It’s a practical response to a turbulent economy, and one that resonates across generations and income levels.
The study’s findings also provide a snapshot of how different age groups are coping. Millennials and Gen Z, in particular, are feeling squeezed—not just by student loans and housing costs, but by the broader economic landscape. For them, the traditional markers of financial success—homeownership, retirement savings, debt-free living—can seem frustratingly out of reach. Yet, their willingness to make resolutions and take incremental steps toward stability suggests a resilience that shouldn’t be underestimated.
For older Americans, the focus on healthcare costs and retirement savings looms large. With 30% of respondents citing these as major stressors, it’s clear that the challenges of planning for the future are as daunting as ever. But even here, the data hints at a quiet determination to persevere, to adapt, and to keep moving forward—one budget, one emergency fund, one resolution at a time.
Of course, making a resolution is one thing; sticking to it is another. But the sheer number of Americans setting financial goals in 2026 suggests a collective desire to regain control, even in the face of uncertainty. Whether those resolutions translate into lasting change remains to be seen, but the intent is unmistakable.
In a year marked by both volatility and hope, Americans are responding not with resignation, but with resolve. As Devinney observed, “It’s encouraging that Americans are prioritizing their short-term financial goals more.” If nothing else, that spirit of determination may prove to be the most valuable asset of all as 2026 unfolds.
