Whether this year felt financially heavy or everything went right for you, you’re in good company. For some, rising costs, unpredictable markets, and shifting economic conditions forced many households to rethink what “financial stability” really means. We know that finances influence nearly every aspect of your life: your time, relationships, opportunities, and even your overall sense of peace.
When things get tough financially, we tend to see our habits, priorities, and values with sharper focus. We learn what truly matters to us and what we can and cannot live with. And we learn (sometimes the hard way) that intentional planning isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline.
And when things are going well financially, it’s easy to overlook the small things to make sure financial health stays consistent.
What This Year Made Clear About Our Money Habits
If you felt unstable at any point, that is not a sign you failed, but that you need a stronger foundation. Implementing a strong financial foundation is important regardless of your financial stability and health. Here are a few takeaways from this year to help you into next year:
1. Budgeting is a mental health tool just as much as it is a financial tool.
Budgeting is less about restriction and more about empowerment. At Crux, this means your finances are supporting the life you want.
It’s important to understand where your money is going. Your spending should reflect your values, not your habits.
When your money is organized, your mind often follows. Spend some time looking at your budget, or creating one: And if you’re not sure where to start, a Crux advisor can help you plan, budget, and understand your finances and goals.
2. Subscriptions and autopilot spending matter more than you think.
If you’ve ever heard that skipping your daily coffee can lead to retiring early, don’t stress out too much because that’s a massively oversimplified version of the truth.
While opting out of daily coffee purchases would put some money back in your pocket, the more innovative (and slightly more realistic) strategy is to start auditing the leaks in your wallet that don’t bring you joy or add meaning to your life. (So your coffee is safe).
A CNET 2025 subscription survey found that while streaming services made up for 61% of all subscriptions, consumers were spending an average of $90 per month on subscriptions in total, or $1,080 per year. And of that, $205 worth went unused.
Furthermore, several households found themselves unknowingly paying for multiple subscriptions to the same services. Others found subscriptions to several similar, but different services, such as simultaneous paid memberships to Apple Music and Spotify. Before getting rid of the subscriptions you actually use, do some deep diving into those you don’t use regularly. Consider downgrading your most-used subscriptions to a cheaper plan.
3. Emergency funds and financial cushions matter more than ever.
Job changes, surprise bills, and economic uncertainty reminded many people that financial stability depends on a strong foundation. While it’s impossible to plan or predict costly surprises, developing an emergency fund can help ensure you’re prepared. Consider your housing and utilities costs, groceries, gas, prescriptions, and fun money. It’s important to leave a bit of a buffer as well, since financial surprises can be sneaky, but incredibly damaging. Start small, even just two weeks’ worth of living expenses set aside is meaningful progress.
4. Reviewing your financial plan annually is essential, not optional.
A new year brings exciting new opportunities, goals, markets, and fees.
This is the very reason we believe so strongly in helping our clients optimize their lives and wealth at every level. The process begins with understanding your goals, designing a financial plan around them, and adjusting your strategy as life unfolds.
A year-end review is your chance to ask:
- Do my spending habits align with the life I want?
- Has anything changed in my job, family, or priorities that affects my plan?
- Is my portfolio still aligned with my risk tolerance and timeline?
- Are there tax or retirement opportunities I’m overlooking?
Crux advisors can help you audit your expenses and set goals for next year.
Finding Gratitude in a Challenging Year
If finding gratitude for your finances this year is a tall order, then start small.
Gratitude changes your perspective before it changes your budget, but we know how closely finances and overall well-being are linked. Feel grateful for your income, ability to adjust, your desire to do better, and the lessons you’ve learned throughout the year.
Progress is measured in steps and small wins; you should take pride in these foundational actions. You’re forming good habits and making forward progress.
Turning Insight Into Momentum for 2026
This is where the real shift happens, and spoiler alert: you don’t need a complicated plan or dozens of goals.
Start by identifying what matters most to you and build your financial plan around those values.
Set one “quality of life” goal:
This is a life goal, not a financial goal.
Ask yourself:
- What do I want more of this year?
- What do I want less of?
- What would make me feel more grounded, joyful, or secure?
Then align your financial goals and habits to support it. This is the kind of values-based planning Crux believes so strongly in.
Meet with a Crux advisor if you’re looking for personalized help and support in defining these goals, forming habits, or establishing a plan.
Choose one financial goal to improve.
We applaud you for being ambitious, but consistency beats intensity every time. Instead of picking multiple financial habits to work on, focus on one at a time.
You might choose to:
- Pay an extra $50 a month toward debt
- Increase retirement contributions by 1–2%
- Track your spending for 30 days
- Start a two-week emergency fund
- Review your subscriptions quarterly
Small habits compound, just like investments. Lots of progress on one goal feels more visible than a little progress across five goals, and when this goal becomes a habit, set a new one, but avoid juggling several goals at once.
Don’t feel like you need to do this alone; our advisors are here to help every step of the way.
Revisit your Investment and Retirement Strategies.
You don’t need to be an expert (that’s what Crux advisors are here for), but you do need to ensure your plan adjusts to a new year.
Crux’s ongoing guidance underscores the value of regularly reviewing your risk tolerance, contributions, and long-term strategy. A quick check-in with your Crux advisor can help ensure your portfolio is up-to-date and optimized for the new year.
Give Your Future Self the Gift of Updated Financial Documents.
Making sure your financial documents are up to date and stored in a safe, memorable place will make it easy for you to access them later.
This includes:
- Beneficiaries
- Wills or trusts
- Insurance documents
- Retirement account contributions
Your Crux advisor can help with your estate planning. Remember, it’s about intention and peace of mind, no matter what state of life you are in.
A Final Word: You’ve Done Better Than You Think
You should be proud of yourself for finding your financial footing this year. Whether it was the hardest year of your life or things went better than expected at every turn, it’s likely your finances were always at the forefront of your mind.
You’ve learned, adapted, adjusted, and made it to the other side with more financial awareness and clarity than you started with. This awareness and clarity are fuel for a stronger, freer, more confident 2026.
At Crux Wealth Advisors, we believe clarity comes from understanding your goals, aligning your finances with your values, and building a plan that supports the life you want.
If you’re ready to turn this year’s lessons into next year’s momentum, we’re here to guide the process with intention, warmth, and expertise.
Your future is worth investing in. Let’s build it together.
Crux Wealth Advisors is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration as an investment adviser does not imply a certain level of skill or training, and the content of this communication has not been approved or verified by the United States Securities and Exchange Commission or by any state securities authority. Securities offered through Arete Wealth Management, LLC, member FINRA and SIPC.The information contained in this material is intended to provide general information about Crux Wealth Advisors and its services. It is not intended to offer investment advice. Investing involves risk. Information regarding investment products and services is provided for informational purposes only. Market data, articles and other content in this material are based on generally available information and are believed to be reliable. Crux Wealth Advisors does not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this material. Past performance does not guarantee future results.