Montana And Money In 2026: Are New Year’s Resolutions Changing?

It’s that time of year when we all start thinking about New Year’s resolutions. You know the usual ones that come up when chatting with friends or family. Lose weight. Go to the gym more. Take that dream vacation. Save more money. Whether we actually stick to them is another story, but the conversations happen every single year.

Recently, a new national study from WalletHub caught my attention, and the results were honestly pretty interesting. It made me wonder if folks here in Montana feel the same way or if our outlook is a little different. According to the survey, nearly 60 percent of Americans believe that 2026 will be better for their wallet than 2025. That is a pretty optimistic number, especially considering how expensive everything still feels. At the same time, only about 26 percent of people say they are planning to make any kind of finance related resolution at all.

That contrast really stood out to me. People are hopeful about the future, yet most are not actively setting financial goals to get there. Among those who are making money focused resolutions, saving more tops the list. Making more money and spending less follow closely behind. Inflation continues to loom large, with more than half of respondents saying it is their biggest financial concern heading into 2026.

Another interesting takeaway is how quiet people plan to be about their goals. Nearly three out of five respondents said they are keeping their resolutions to themselves this year. Maybe that is a way to avoid pressure, or maybe we have all learned not to jinx it.

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So now I am curious. Do Montanans feel more hopeful about their finances next year? Are you setting goals, or just riding the wave and hoping for the best? Let us know what you think and whether you are making any resolutions at all HERE.