5 Unexpected New Year’s Resolutions That Can Make You Wealthier
Written by
Laura Bogart
Edited by
Kristen Mae
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You’ve set new goals for the new year. Naturally, you’re working on your fitness. You’ve been meaning to travel. Improving your finances in 2026 is just as important to you, but you’re not sure where to start, beyond the standbys of finding a financial advisor or paying down debt. Fortunately, some creative and unexpected resolutions can help you build a stronger financial future in the upcoming year.
Sometimes, thinking small can actually lead to major mindset shifts that help you save more over time. You might also discover that following traditional resolutions — like cutting back on takeout or sleeping better — can empower you to make smarter decisions with your money. GOBankingRates explored some unexpected resolutions that could help you get wealthier in the new year.
1. Improve Your Sleep
That next episode of your favorite show won’t binge-watch itself — but it will still be waiting for you in the morning, after you’ve gotten a good night’s sleep. What won’t be around if you don’t rest properly is your good judgment and mental alertness — both crucial for making smart financial decisions.
Being groggy and exhausted can leave you vulnerable to impulse spending. You never want to make major financial moves when you’re sleep-deprived or in a bad mood.
2. Quit One Vice Gradually
You know you need to stop smoking or cut back on happy hours. The energy drinks aren’t doing your body — or your wallet — any good, and the same goes for your DoorDash habit. If you add up the costs associated with these seemingly small vices, you’d probably see hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars going down the drain annually.
To save that money — not to mention your health — pare back the habit gradually in ways that feel productive but not overwhelming. You could put the money you would have spent on a burrito or a vape pen into the stock market, or even into a sinking fund to help you fulfill another resolution, like traveling.
3. Negotiate One Expense Every Quarter
Perhaps you’re naturally shy, or maybe you feel like negotiation is a fine art you’ll never master. But if you’re not regularly negotiating lower prices for services like insurance, internet or credit cards, you’re likely leaving money on the table.
Get on the phone with your insurance company, internet provider or credit card company to negotiate better terms or rates than what you already have. If you’re anxious about what to say, you can use a resource like ChatGPT or Claude to help you draft a script based on your current terms. Many companies have retention budgets designed to reward loyal customers, and you never know unless you ask.
4. Build a “Boredom Budget”
Human nature means you’re going to get bored sometimes. And sometimes, when you’re bored, you’ll want to make random purchases. Rather than fight reality, you might as well plan for it. Set aside a small amount of money — maybe $10 to $15 per paycheck — in a high-yield savings account as a “splurge fund.”
Ironically, once you know you have the freedom to treat yourself every now and again, you might find that the pressure valve on your money anxiety eases a bit, making you less likely to overspend in unplanned ways.
5. Make Preventative Wellness Appointments
What does going to the doctor have to do with your budget? Quite a lot, when you consider the financial ramifications of long-term health conditions that go unchecked. Paying only a copay on a preventative visit now could save you from higher expenses later, like hospitalization or home health care. While not all issues are preventable, early detection can put you in a better position physically, emotionally, and financially.
The Bottom Line
A new year is a prime time to build new habits — or revisit old ones — that strengthen your money, your mind and your body. Trying some of these resolutions could help you grow your wealth in 2026.
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