I Asked ChatGPT How To Actually Stick To My Money New Year’s Resolutions — Here’s What It Said
Written by
Crystal Mayer
Edited by
Zuri Anderson
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New Year’s resolutions are a time-honored tradition that many Americans partake in. According to Pew Research, three in 10 Americans make at least one resolution at the beginning of the year.
Health, fitness and diet resolutions take the cake with 79% of those surveyed noting that their goals center around one of those, but money resolutions are a close second. Over 60% of Americans said one of their resolutions is related to money or finances.
While many people set the new year goal with the best intentions of keeping it, around 13% break them before the end of January. In the hopes of avoiding becoming another statistic, I asked ChatGPT how to actually stick to my money New Year’s resolutions. Here’s what it said.
Make Money Resolutions Specific
According to ChatGPT in order to keep my New Year’s money resolution I need to make “specific and behavioral” goals. The AI-assistant recommended avoiding goals that are too vague like “save more money” and instead make it specific. For instance, setting a certain amount of money to be transferred each week to savings.
The chatbot’s recommendation falls in line with a popular goal-setting strategy known as SMART (“S” for specific, “M” for measurable, “A” for attainable, “R” for realistic and “T” for timely”). According to Success Magazine, setting SMART goals can help improve focus, enhance motivation and lead to better accountability.
Start Small
ChatGPT said I should “shrink the first step” to help me achieve my money resolution. It noted that people are more likely to stick with goals when the first step is easy to achieve.
Make It Automatic
Another key to success when it comes to achieving financial goals is automating as much as possible, as reported by the chatbot. It said, “Automation turns good intentions into default behavior.”
While automating savings can help people keep their goals, the experts at PNC Bank caution against simply setting and forgetting. To ensure that goals are met and kept, the bank recommended checking in at least quarterly and increasing contributions when possible.
Utilize ‘Temptation Building’
ChatGPT further suggested using a method known as “temptation building” to help achieve financial goals set at the beginning of the year. This involves pairing a boring task with something enjoyable, such as going over a budget while sipping on a favorite drink.
“If it feels pleasant, you’ll keep doing it,” explained the chatbot.
Get It Calendared
Another tip for keeping money resolutions is putting them on the calendar, according to ChatGPT. Inputting monthly money check-ins or quarterly budget reviews on the calendar make the appointments more official, eventually becoming habit.
According to Science Alert, it takes around two to five months for a habit to form. For some people it may take as long as a year. Putting it on the calendar is a small step that can help ensure it gets done each month.
Track Success
Finally, the chatbot suggested tracking progress. Tracking money goals may include using things like a savings thermometer, a habit tracker, a spreadsheet or an app, according to ChatGPT. Seeing progress can provide motivation to keep going and ensure the resolution becomes a reality.
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