The 30-minute new year money reset

Financial freedom doesn’t always start with a spreadsheet; it can start with one bold reset. This isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress.

And there is good news. For some individuals, financial optimism is rising. In fact, 44% of Americans expect their finances to improve in 2026. With inflation still a concern, top goals for the new year include cutting debt, boosting savings, budgeting smarter, investing more and even pursuing higher-paying jobs.¹

Whatever stage of life you are in, and whichever goals you are trying to reach, anyone can reset anytime throughout the year. But this new year is the perfect time to start fresh. Take 30 minutes to reset your finances with a few quick steps. Here’s how to get started:

Step 1. First 10 minutes: Review your numbers

Take stock of where you stand financially.

• Log in to your online retirement account, as well as any personal banking or investment accounts. Review your investments, gather balances from savings and credit cards, and collect all financial records.
• Then, while logged into your online retirement account, click on the Financial Wellness tab to access My Financial Wellness. From here, you can click Get started to take the assessment and see your score across the six pillars of financial wellness.

Why it matters: You’ll have a big picture view of where you stand, and your assessment results will show where you're strong and what areas, if any, you need to improve. 

Step 2. Next 5 minutes: Reflect and reset 

Write down at least three financial wins and three challenges from last year. Maybe you paid off a credit card, saved for a vacation or didn’t have to use a credit card for an unplanned expense. On the other hand, did you overspend on takeout or miss a bill? 

Why it works: Reflection primes your brain for change to reveal patterns. When you reflect, you can celebrate your wins and know where to reset your challenges. 

Step 3. Final 15 minutes: Quick hits, big impact

Start with six fast actions to help boost your financial confidence. Focus on areas flagged in your financial wellness results — or dive into these quick wins that can help make a significant impact.

1. Check your credit report. It’s free once a year from AnnualCreditReport.com to spot errors, track your score and protect yourself by detecting unusual activity.  
2. Review your budget. Review and revise your budget by using our budget calculator to find your balance between needs, wants and savings. We recommend using the 50/30/20 rule (needs/wants/savings) here, too.
3. Unsubscribe from unused services. Cancel the streaming service you haven’t watched in months, or the app collecting virtual dust on your phone. Every dollar counts.
4. Automate your savings. Simplify your savings by automatically depositing a portion of your paycheck into savings. Or, if offered by your employer, consider automating 1% increases to your retirement savings annually.
5. Review and update your beneficiaries. Knowing your retirement accounts, HSA and life insurance policies reflect your current wishes can help you feel confident that your financial plans are aligned with your intentions.
6. Set one new financial goal. This can look different for everyone, but could include paying down debt, investing more for retirement or starting your emergency savings. Keep working toward your goals one step at a time and moving on to the next goal once each is achieved.

Why it matters: Small wins with immediate action can help boost your confidence and momentum to carry forward into the year as you work toward longer-term money goals.

Go ahead, try our financial wellness assessment and free online budgeting calculator. These tools are quick and easy and can help you feel more in control of your finances. By taking small steps, you can build healthier financial habits and gain greater clarity and control over your finances.