As New Year's Approaches, More Americans Prioritize Financial Goals, Fidelity Says.

Americans are stressed about finances—more so than in recent years. According to a new study from Fidelity Investments, more than half of surveyed Americans feel overwhelmed by personal financial matters and more individuals than last year identified rising everyday prices as their top financial stressor. One third of respondents said they have significantly less money in 2025 due to rising prices.

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But the study also finds that this stress is translating into a focus on financial planning, with 71% respondents having developed a plan to reach their financial goals in the new year.

The study, which has been conducted online for the last 17 years and includes over 3,000 adults, finds that a record number of participants are considering financial resolutions—or personal financial goals—and developing specific plans to meet these goals in 2026. Of those who are considering making New Year's resolutions, over one-third said they are planning to prioritize financial resolutions more in the year ahead than in the past.

"This past year has been a financial roller coaster for many Americans—from rising prices in various areas to market volatility and then a rebound in the second half of the year," says Amanda Lott, head of financial planning and advice capabilities at Fidelity.

Expecting the unexpected. In addition to rising everyday prices, Americans are concerned about unexpected expenses and financial surprises, which was last year's top concern, as well as rising healthcare and insurance costs. Concerns about healthcare aren't surprising: Fidelity's recent Retiree Health Care Cost Estimate found that a 65-year-old retiring in 2025 could expect to spend an average of over $172,000 in healthcare and medical expenses throughout retirement, up 4% compared with 2024.

"Committing to purposeful financial planning in all market environments is a smart strategy and helps to build confidence and lays a strong foundation for achieving short and long-term financial goals," Lott says.

Thinking short-term. For the second year in a row, Americans resolving to save more money are focusing on short-term savings goals, including building emergency savings, paying down credit card debt, and spending less. The trend marks a shift from previous years, during which long-term goals like retirement spending and college savings were a higher priority.

The study notes, though, that in the case of actual financial setbacks, Americans tend to cut back on other expenses or get a second job rather than actually dip into their emergency savings.

These mindful approaches to financial planning are indeed helping people improve their financial situations overall. More than 70% of respondents see themselves in a better or similar financial situation than they were at the same time last year, in part, the study suggests, as a result of positive savings behavior. More Americans are also feeling better about their finances today than they did five years ago, despite market volatility and rising prices.

Among those who say they were able to keep to their 2025 financial resolutions, most said that they were able to do so by creating realistic and easily maintainable goals. "Creating a financial plan that is both purposeful and realistic is essential to achieving financial goals," says Lott.