New research has revealed a stark reality about the financial ambitions of Americans as each year begins. A comprehensive study indicates that the vast majority of people in the United States are unable to follow through on the money-related resolutions they set for themselves.
The Scale of Financial Resolution Failure
A survey conducted by the debt consolidation firm Beyond Finance, which polled more than 2,000 US adults, uncovered a startling statistic. It found that 83 percent of people failed to achieve some or all of their financial goals during 2025. The research, published in early January 2026, showed that a significant 38 percent of those who set resolutions abandoned them entirely within the first three months.
Dr. Erika Rasure, Chief Financial Wellness Advisor at Beyond Finance, provided insight into this trend. "January may still feel like a reset, but Americans have stopped believing it leads to lasting financial change," she stated. Dr. Rasure emphasised that the problem is not a simple lack of willpower. "People aren't failing at resolutions because they're bad at sticking to them, but because goals don't tend to stick around if they aren't aligned with a person's values from the get-go."
Resilient Ambitions and Common Goals
Despite the high rate of disappointment, the study found that Americans remain determined to improve their financial health. Nearly half of those surveyed were either in the process of making financial resolutions for 2026 or had already done so. "Despite widespread frustration with setting traditional resolutions, Americans remain intent on improving their current financial footing," the report noted.
The most popular financial goals for the new year were clearly defined. The top resolution was paying down debt, cited by 43 percent of respondents. This was followed by building an emergency fund (14 percent) and cutting back on spending or adhering to a strict budget (9 percent). However, the data showed that only 19 percent of those who set such goals managed to maintain them for a full twelve months.
Root Causes and a Path Forward
The research delved into the underlying reasons for this widespread struggle. It highlighted that early financial education, or the lack thereof, plays a profound long-term role. Habits formed in childhood, such as being encouraged to save or learning to manage an allowance, were cited as major influences on adult money management.
Compounding this issue is a significant crisis of confidence. The survey discovered that around half of consumers suffer from a critical lack of trust in their own financial decision-making abilities. More than a quarter of respondents admitted they do not trust themselves with a credit card.
Dr. Rasure suggests a more sustainable approach is needed for real progress. "Real progress happens when money goals are revisited throughout the year, grounded in self-awareness and a spirit of learning rather than self-criticism," she advised. The key, according to the expert, is to first understand one's core financial values. "When people understand their financial values first, goals become supportive, sustainable, and far more likely to stick."
