Ambitious, but practical: How Americans are setting their 2026 financial goals

After another year of stubborn inflation and uneven markets, Americans are heading into 2026 with bigger financial ambitions – and a more grounded sense of what could knock them off course, according to survey research from Edward Jones and Fidelity Investments.

Edward Jones, working with Morning Consult, found that 41% of adults say their financial goals for 2026 are larger and more ambitious than those they set for 2025. But the same research reveals a familiar stumbling block: inflation. More than half of respondents (52%) expect rising prices to be the main obstacle to keeping those resolutions, and 82% say higher costs are already shaping daily decisions, particularly on groceries and saving.

While the consumer price index slowed to a below-consensus 2.7% annual rate in November, Edward Jones' research showed rampant inflation worries that climb steadily with age. Among Gen Z, 41% cite rising prices as their biggest challenge in staying financially accountable next year, compared with 49% of Millennials and 51% of Gen X respondents. The angst around everyday costs peaks among Baby Boomers, with two-thirds (64%) flagging inflation as their top obstacle heading into 2026.

Fidelity’s annual resolutions study echoes that concern. Forty-five percent of respondents to its 2026 New Year's Financial Resolutions study are most worried about the impact of everyday prices next year, up from 37% a year earlier. That squeeze is feeding broader anxiety about paying monthly bills and having enough set aside for retirement and health care.

Even so, both surveys point to a renewed push to build savings. Fidelity says 71% of people see themselves on at least as solid financial footing as a year ago, and 78% plan to add to emergency savings. Among those considering a formal financial resolution, 44% want to save more money in 2026. Similarly, growing a savings account stood among the top three priorities in the Edward Jones study, alongside earning more income and tackling credit card balances.

Debt-busting also stood high on people's 2026 agenda. Fidelity finds that 36% of resolution-makers aim to pay down debt, and many are prioritizing short-term obligations – credit cards, mortgages, and other near-term bills – over long-range goals like retirement or college funds. Edward Jones highlights paying off credit card debt as a core resolution, underscoring how higher borrowing costs and persistent inflation are pushing people to clean up their balance sheets before taking on new aspirations.

When it comes to financially staying on track in 2026, basic budgeting was the strategy of choice for 81% of respondents in the Edward Jones survey, with family, friends and digital apps also playing a role. Only 42% say artificial intelligence tools are helpful, and nearly one-fifth say AI does not help at all, suggesting that most households still prefer human-driven accountability over automated nudges.

Fidelity's study leaned more into the idea of formal planning. Amanda Lott, head of financial planning and advice capabilities at the firm, said “committing to purposeful financial planning in all market environments is a smart strategy.” She argued for “creating a financial plan that is both purposeful and realistic is essential to achieving financial goals,” noting that small, consistent steps can make resolutions easier to maintain.

Regardless of their goals, many Americans feel better with an advisor in their corner. Edward Jones says about one-fifth of Americans are working with a financial professional to jump-start 2026 goals, and nearly four-fifths plan to meet before the end of March. Fidelity notes that people who already have a plan – and, in some cases, an advisor – are more likely to say they can absorb unexpected setbacks without abandoning their resolutions.