Vanguard Finds Consumers Want 2026 Financial Reset
After falling short of savings goals in 2025, many respondents in a Vanguard survey said they were entering the new year with renewed financial optimism.
Despite nearly 75% of survey respondents falling short of their saving and spending resolutions in 2025, many believed the new year will be a turning point, according to Vanguard’s Cash and Savings Survey. The survey found that 84% of respondents set a financial resolution for 2026, with building an emergency fund and leveraging a high-yield savings account being the most-common priorities.
Challenges Across Generations
Although 82% of respondents expressed feeling somewhat or very confident about reaching their 2026 goals, each generation faced distinct hurdles. Baby Boomer respondents were most concerned about unexpected expenses. Millennials cited insufficient income and difficulty saving as their biggest barrier. Generation Z, meanwhile, was the group most likely to live beyond their means—a challenge attributed to early-career income levels and lifestyle pressures.
Across all age groups, economic uncertainty remained the overarching concern, with 22% worried that shifting financial conditions could affect their ability to meet saving and spending goals.
The survey authors recommended that consumers focus on building emergency funds, saving for short-term goals and getting the information and tools they need to make smarter savings decisions.
“Use the end of the year as a time to reset,” said Matt Benchener, managing director of Vanguard’s personal investor business, in a statement. “Americans should take a close look at where they save to ensure they are earning the returns they deserve.”
Financial Resolutions
When survey respondents described their emotional outlook for next year’s financial resolutions, confidence (18%) and uncertainty (16%) were the most common answers. Still, commitment remained high. Keeping up with rising costs (26%) and being prepared for emergencies or unexpected expenses (24%) were the strongest motivators driving people to improve their financial fitness, according to the survey.
Notably, 83% of respondents said they have someone they feel comfortable talking to about financial goals—most often a partner, spouse, or family member. Benchener added that discussing money can be intimidating, but professional financial advice is now more accessible and affordable than ever.
The Cash and Savings Survey was conducted on October 1 by the research firm Big Village among 1,010 U.S. adults.