Six Ways to Start Your Personal Finances Off on the Right Foot in 2026

If managing your finances is at the top of your list for 2026, you’re not alone. Some of the most common include saving more, spending less, and doing more with what you have.The beginning of the year offers a great opportunity to reevaluate where your money goes and what you want to achieve with it.  While creating a financial plan can feel daunting, it’s one of the most effective ways to prepare for the unexpected and build confidence in your decisions. By breaking the process down into manageable steps, you can set yourself up for a successful year ahead.

1. Review Your Statements

To understand your financial picture, you need to start with the basics: how much money is coming in and going out? Start with your checking account and include your credit card statements to get a complete picture of your financial health. As you go through them, look for patterns in your spending. Highlighting each category, groceries, transportation, or entertainment, to easily identify where your money is going. Ask yourself:

• What categories did I spend more on than I expected?
• Are there any recurring subscriptions I no longer use?
• What do I wish I had done differently with my spending?

The answers to these questions will provide the foundation you need to navigate the rest of these steps with clarity.

2. Reevaluate and Adjust Your Budget

Now that you have a better grasp of your spending patterns, you can reevaluate your budget and adjust as needed. A budget doesn’t have to mean restriction, but it can tell you what area your money is going to. Your budget should reflect your real life and position you for long-term success.

After your essentials are accounted for including housing, utilities, loan payments, and groceries, look at what you’re spending on discretionary items versus what you want to be spending. If you don’t have a budget, now is the perfect time to create one.

3. Set Goals for The Year

After reviewing your budget, look to see what’s left over at the end of each month. Whether there’s a little or a lot, this will serve as the foundation for your 2026 goals.

If your budget is tight and there isn’t much left over at the end of the month, consider prioritizing paying down debts, starting with high-interest debt. Small sacrifices like eating out less often, can create a snowball effect and allow you to make higher payments on your statements. This will allow for more money in your pocket long-term.

If you have a larger or more comfortable amount left over in your budget, make a goal for how to use it. A great place to start is with an emergency fund with three to six months’ worth of living expenses. From there, consult with a financial planner to determine how to best utilize your money.

4. Set up Automatic Payments

Automation is your friend when it comes to building healthy financial habits. If you’re working to pay down debt, set up automatic payments for a set amount each month. You can also set up automatic transfers from your checking account into a savings account. A High-Yield Money Market account can offer a better return than a traditional savings account, helping your money grow faster.

5. Look at Your Long-Term Future

While it’s important to account for the year ahead, also consider even further down the road. Take a moment to review your long-term savings, such as retirement accounts like a 401(k) or an IRA.

6. Improve Your Organization

Keep your important financial documents in a safe and secure location. This could be a fireproof box for physical papers or a secure digital storage solution for online records.

It’s also crucial to protect your information. Security is also a key consideration to avoid identity theft. Every 12 months, you can get a free copy of your credit report. Reviewing it regularly helps you spot and dispute any inaccuracies or fraudulent activity.

No matter where you start, the most important thing is taking that first step. These money moves are the beginning of a healthier financial future, not just for this year, but for years to come. As you begin this process, it can be helpful to have a trusted partner. Talk to one of our WSFS Associates by visiting a banking office or setting up an appointment to get personalized guidance and ensure you’re set up for success all year long.