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What would your finances look like if you felt more in control of your spending, saving, borrowing, and long-term goals?

As 2025 comes to an end, and a brand-new year awaits you, you are given a new opportunity to reset, rebuild, and recharge. Smart money habits don’t require perfection, just steady progress. One of the best ways to get started or (restarted) is by focusing on the Four Pillars of Financial Wellness: Spend, Save, Borrow, Plan.

When these four pillars are in balance, they help form a strong, sustainable financial foundation that can support you through life’s unpredictable moments and help you reach your biggest financial dreams.

Below, we’ll walk through each pillar and share simple, realistic resolutions to help you make 2026 your smartest financial year yet.

New toys, tech, and other gifts are fun to receive during the holidays, but festive spending can quickly spiral. Add in travel, decorations, and delicious meals, and it’s easy to see why many households find themselves with thousands of dollars of holiday debt after the season has passed. A recent survey found that 52% of shoppers plan to spend less this year than in the last holiday season.

To help keep your budget on track, and not completely derail from holiday purchases, consider utilizing the following smart strategies. These helpful tips—from using deal-finder apps to carefully budgeting—can help you enjoy the holidays without waking up to debit in the new year.

As summer hits its stride, the idea of financially preparing for the holidays might feel like overkill. Consider this: money is the most cited source of stress during the holidays, with 58% of US adults worrying about overspending or not having enough money.

Our financial situation can cause stress any time of the year, but the holidays can be particularly challenging. Fortunately, with a little advanced planning there are options to turn that stress into joy. From setting a realistic holiday spending plan, to creative gift alternatives such as handmade items or shared experiences, you can enjoy the season with greater ease and minimize the stress often associated with overspending.

Here are five tips designed to give you less stress and more joy this holiday season: