Easy Financial New Year Resolutions That Actually Stick
Written by Karlisle Morocco
Because “new year, new you” should include your money without burning you out.
January is full of ambition.
New gym memberships. New planners. New promises.
But when it comes to money, most people either:
• set goals that are so aggressive they quit by March, or
• avoid the whole thing altogether because it feels overwhelming.
The truth is this:
Good financial years are not built on dramatic change. They are built on small, boring, consistent wins.
If you are in your forties, fifties, or sixties, earning good money but wondering where it all goes, this is for you.
No complicated spreadsheets.
No financial shame.
Just simple, practical habits that actually move the needle.
General information only. Not financial advice.
1. Make cash flow your number one priority
High income does not automatically mean healthy finances.
In Australia, we see it all the time: people earning over $200,000 a year who feel like they are “living paycheck to paycheck.”
Why? Because what matters is not what you earn. It is what sticks.
This year, make one simple resolution:
“I will know where my money goes.”
You do not need a complicated budget. Just answer three questions:
• What comes in each month?
• What goes out?
• What is left?
That is cash flow.
If your answer to what is left is “I’m not sure,” that is your starting point.
Even high earning households can leak thousands each month through:
• subscriptions that are forgotten or unused
• convenience spending, like takeaway lunches or coffee runs
• insurance premiums that have never been reviewed
• lifestyle creep, where your spending grows as your income grows
Knowing your numbers gives you control, not restriction. Start simple, track it for a month, and you will already be ahead.
2. Automate your future so willpower is not required
Australians love automating their bills, but not their goals.
This year, flip that. If you wait until the end of the month to “save what’s left,” there will be nothing left.
Instead, these should come out first, automatically:
• savings or emergency fund contributions
• extra mortgage payments if you have a home loan
• investments outside of super
• additional concessional or non-concessional contributions to super
Even a few hundred dollars a fortnight compounds into tens of thousands over time.
Set it up once, let it run quietly in the background, and watch it grow. Automation removes the stress and ensures your future is a priority, even when life is busy.
3. Use the Australian tax system properly
We have one of the most generous wealth building systems in the world — superannuation.
Yet so many Australians:
• underuse it
• do not understand it
• or ignore it completely
Small actions can make a big difference:
• knowing your super balance and checking it regularly
• checking your fund fees and investment options
• understanding your concessional contribution limits
• reviewing whether your insurance inside super is appropriate for your circumstances
You do not need to become an expert — you just need to engage and make small improvements each year. Over decades, this makes a huge difference to your retirement security.
4. Review the silent killers of your wealth
These are the things no one looks at, but they drain your finances every year.
Make this your 2026 clean up list:
• home loan interest rate — refinancing can save thousands
• insurance premiums — comparing policies could get you better coverage for less
• old super funds — consolidate or review options
• subscriptions — streaming services, apps, memberships
• credit card fees or high-interest debt
A few hours of admin can save thousands. This is often a better “return” than almost any investment.
5. Plan your lifestyle before you plan your investments
This is where most high earners go wrong.
They invest without knowing:
• when they want to slow down
• when they want to retire
• how much they actually need
• what they want their money to do
Money is just a tool.
Before worrying about returns, ask yourself:
“What kind of life do I want this money to fund?”
• Travel or holidays with family
• Time with grandkids
• Early retirement or reduced work hours
• More flexibility to pursue passions or hobbies
Your goals should drive your money, not the other way around. Investments are just the tool to make that lifestyle possible.
6. Build a buffer so money stops feeling stressful
Life happens:
• interest rates rise
• kids need extra support or education costs
• cars break down or home repairs come up
• businesses or side hustles fluctuate
• unexpected health costs appear
Having three to six months of living expenses in cash gives you:
• options
• breathing room
• better decision making
It turns financial panic into financial choice. That is real security.
7. Stop aiming for perfect. Aim for better
You do not need to:
• give up coffee
• track every dollar
• become obsessed with money
You just need to:
• be aware
• be intentional
• review things periodically
The wealthiest people are not the most extreme. They are the most consistent. Small, regular wins build real long-term financial comfort.
The New Year, New You but financially smarter
You do not need a financial overhaul. You need:
• clarity
• systems
• small habits that run quietly in the background
That is how people in their forties, fifties, and sixties go from “we earn good money but” to “we feel secure, in control, and excited about what is next.”
And that is the best New Year’s resolution of all.
Get in touch with Braeside Wealth today for a chat about how this approach could work for your situation. It’s the first step toward a calm, confident, and financially free retirement. Click here to book a 15-minute Good Fit Chat.
The information in this article is general information and does not take into account any person’s individual situation. You should always do your own research, or seek professional advice to assist you in making an informed decision about what suits your needs.