Seeing in the new year with healthy habits

Get off to the best start in 2026 by rethinking the way you spend and save

- By CAMILLA FOSTER

If you have no idea where all your money went this year and your finances feel like a huge source of stress, don't worry because 2026 offers a fresh start.

As the new calendar year speedily approaches, it's the perfect time to pause, reflect and reset. "A lot of people set New Year's resolutions and see January as a fresh start," says Dan Browne, financial planner at Smith & Pinching.

"January can be a difficult month for many because a lot of people spend more than they probably should or could afford during the Christmas period so are often looking to cut back at the start of the year.

"If you take certain steps, you can start to enjoy 2026 and hopefully by the end of it you're not going to get yourself in the same predicament with spending too much because you will have better financial habits in place."

Here's how to make 2026 the year you finally get on top of your finances...

TRACK YOUR SPENDING

"If you have a monthly income, you want to be reviewing your finances on a monthly basis," advises Dan.