11:44 pm - February 4, 2026
New research reveals that financial resolutions fail at an alarming rate, with 7% of people abandoning their goals within the first week of the year. The study, conducted by Opinium for a major financial services provider in September 2025, found that after six months, nearly two-thirds (63%) of financial resolutions have been abandoned entirely.
According to the survey of 2,000 respondents, a staggering 76% of people who set financial resolutions admit they have never managed to maintain them through the end of the year. The research also highlights a significant generational divide, with only 14% of those aged 18-34 sticking with at least one financial resolution for a year, compared to 39% of people aged 55 and over.
Why Financial Resolutions Fail
Financial experts suggest that unrealistic expectations represent the primary reason people struggle to maintain their money goals. Setting overly ambitious targets and attempting to achieve them too quickly often leads to burnout and abandonment of the resolution altogether.
Additionally, attempting too many lifestyle changes simultaneously makes long-term success nearly impossible. Complete overnight transformations prove incredibly difficult to sustain, according to financial advisors who recommend focusing on clear, achievable objectives one at a time.
Setting Achievable Financial Goals
Industry professionals recommend establishing realistic targets such as paying down expensive debts, building emergency savings, or making regular contributions to pensions and investment accounts. Creating a monthly budget around these goals helps ensure that allocated amounts remain sensible and affordable.
However, the research indicates that focusing on small daily sacrifices, like eliminating takeaway coffee, can backfire. Making ten difficult decisions daily eventually leads to resolution fatigue and abandonment. Instead, experts suggest cutting unnecessary expenses first, such as overpaying on energy bills or purchasing expensive grocery brands.
Creating a Roadmap for Success
Financial advisors emphasize the importance of developing a detailed plan rather than simply identifying a destination. Successful money management requires knowing not just where you want to be financially, but also the specific first, second, and third steps needed to get there.
Meanwhile, automation emerges as a powerful tool for maintaining financial discipline. Setting up direct debits for savings accounts, regular investment contributions to ISAs, or increased pension payments removes the monthly decision-making burden and ensures consistent progress toward financial goals.
The Power of Regular Investment
The study illustrates how modest, consistent contributions can yield significant results over time. For example, investing £100 monthly for ten years with average growth of 5% after charges could result in accumulated savings of £15,528, though investment returns vary and values can fall as well as rise.
In contrast to tackling everything at once, financial experts recommend setting new goals monthly or every few months. This measured approach prevents overwhelming lifestyle changes while still moving toward improved financial health throughout the year.
Financial institutions continue monitoring whether these strategic approaches will improve resolution success rates in the coming year. The effectiveness of automation and incremental goal-setting remains to be seen as the current year progresses, though early indicators suggest these methods may help more people overcome the traditional barriers to maintaining their financial commitments beyond the critical six-month mark.
