Once the new year begins, many people start thinking about improving their finances. The holidays are over, debt may be up and a reset couldn’t come any quicker. But a plan has to be in place to make progress.
GOBankingRates asked ChatGPT to help build a set of practical money resolutions that people can actually stick with in 2026. Here’s what it came up with.
Also see seven New Year’s resolutions if you want to spend less and save more in 2026.
Pay Down High-Interest Debt With One Clear Plan
ChatGPT said that paying only the minimum on multiple credit cards can keep you in debt. It suggested picking one card or loan at a time to focus on and create momentum. Effective debt-payoff options to consider include the debt avalanche and debt snowball methods, according to Fidelity.
The artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot also pointed out that fewer open balances can make monthly cash flow easier to manage.
Read More: 3 Signs You’ve ‘Made It’ Financially, According to Financial Influencer Genesis Hinckley
Check Out: 9 Low-Effort Ways To Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Week)
Stop Using Monthly Payments To Decide What You Can Afford
Financing can hide true costs, according to ChatGPT.
It suggested looking at the total price before buying to help avoid impulsive decisions. It added that if the purchase won’t work in your budget without payments, you probably can’t afford it.
Set a Weekly Money Check-In
When struggling with financial issues, some people choose to avoid them, which is a big mistake. Not only do they not go away, but they can also compound.
A 10-minute weekly review of your finances can help you spot issues early, ChatGPT said. Additionally, it explained that regular financial check-ins can reduce stress over time.
If you don’t already, it’s important to have a budget, so you know how much money is coming in and going out of your bank account.
According to the Money Saving Mom, weekly money check-ins don’t have to be complicated. It’s simply about looking over your spending, learning from any mistakes, making small changes and trying again over the next seven days.
Cap Lifestyle Spending Before Income Rises
Extra income can disappear quickly without a plan in place. ChatGPT suggested deciding in advance where any future income increases will go, such as higher savings or debt payments, before spending habits take hold.
It also recommended keeping upgrades and new expenses on the back burner until more important priorities are covered.
Build a Small Buffer for Irregular Expenses
No matter what, unexpected expenses, like car repairs and medical bills, show up every year.
Planning for them prevents the need to rely on a credit card, according to ChatGPT. It added that even a $500 buffer can make a difference.
To make building a buffer easy, decide on an amount to save each month and set up automatic transfers to a savings account.
Limit Convenience Spending Instead of Cutting It Entirely
According to ChatGPT, convenience isn’t the enemy; overuse is. It suggested choosing convenience spending where it matters and cutting back elsewhere. So if you know you don’t have time to cook dinner every night, allow room in your budget to order delivery once per week.
The AI said compromising instead of totally restricting this type of spending can keep things realistic and sustainable.
Review Subscriptions and Auto-Payments Twice a Year
It’s easy to forget about the expenses you have on autopay, whether it’s your credit card bills or an online subscription.
A mid-year and end-of-year review catches charges that no longer make sense, per ChatGPT. Additionally, it can put more money in your pocket once you cancel.
Tie Every Goal to a ‘Why’
Money goals stick better when they’re personal, the AI pointed out.
Take the time to make a list of your financial goals for 2026 and beyond and include why you want to achieve each one. Having a clear purpose can give you the motivation to stay committed even if there’s a setback.
Need a little extra breathing room in your budget? MoneyLion, a sister company of GOBankingRates, is giving away $2,000 a day through Jan. 24, 2026. Sign up here and see if a cash boost is in your future.
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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: I Asked ChatGPT To Build My 2026 Money Resolutions — Would You Follow This Plan?
