Several year-end personal-finance roundups point to a common theme heading into 2026: many Americans want more control over their money, from day-to-day budgeting to longer-term investing and retirement planning. A Motley Fool survey of 2,000 U.S. adults highlights the most popular financial New Year’s resolutions, signaling where household priorities may be shifting as the calendar turns. Financial experts interviewed by CBS News recommend a set of practical “money moves” to review now—positioning people to start 2026 on firmer footing. Business Insider adds lessons from financially independent investors, emphasizing measurable goals like tracking net worth and setting a target “number” for approaches such as Coast FIRE.

Highlights:

• Survey snapshot: The Motley Fool polled 2,000 American adults to identify the most common financial resolutions people are setting for 2026.
• Planning cadence: CBS News frames the advice as an end-of-year financial check-in—reviewing accounts and plans now to reduce “mounting money worries” going into 2026.
• FIRE variation: Business Insider highlights “Coast FIRE,” described as reaching a point where retirement savings can grow via compounding without further contributions, allowing a person to “coast” while covering current expenses.
• Goal math: One investor profiled by Business Insider used an online WalletBurst calculator to estimate a personal retirement target based on inputs like age, retirement age, and expected spending.
• Multiple playbooks: Business Insider notes that financially independent investors it has interviewed built wealth through varied paths including index investing, real estate, and entrepreneurship, suggesting no single template dominates.

Perspectives:

• Motley Fool survey (via Quartz): The survey approach treats New Year’s resolutions as a measurable barometer of what U.S. households say they want to improve financially in 2026, based on responses from 2,000 adults. (Quartz)
• Financial experts (via CBS News): Experts emphasize that a proactive review of finances before the year turns can help people feel steadier as they enter 2026 amid ongoing money stress. (CBS News)
• Financially independent investors (via Business Insider): Investors who reached financial independence stress using concrete metrics—like tracking net worth and calculating a target “number”—to translate broad goals into actionable plans. (Business Insider)

Sources:

• Americans’ 5 top financial New Year’s resolutions for 2026 - qz.com
• 5 money moves to make in 2026, according to financial experts - cbsnews.com
• Worried about your finances in 2026? Here are 5 money moves recommended by experts. - CBS News - google.com
• 5 financially independent investors share their top wealth-building advice as we head into 2026 - businessinsider.com