December has a way of sneaking up on us. One minute it’s pumpkin spice and cozy sweaters, and the next, you’re knee-deep in wrapping paper wondering how another year flew by.
It’s also one of the best times to pause and take stock. We’re all about “new year, new me” but it’s even more important to keep it practical. What worked this year? What made life easier, steadier, or calmer?
Here are a few habits that are worth carrying forward (and a couple that aren’t).
Habits to Keep in 2026
1. Quick, Consistent Money Check Ins
Honestly? The simplest (and most underrated) habit you can build is a 15-minute financial vibe check.
Once a month or quarter, just peek at what’s coming in, what’s going out, and whether it’s still aligned with the life you actually want to be living.
Ask yourself: “Are my numbers still working for the goals I actually care about?”
A short, regular check-in will always do more for you than a big overhaul you never stick with.
2. Building (and Maintaining) an Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is the backbone of being financially stable. Think of it like emotional support money… because the moment you need it is never the moment you want to start building it.
It’s your safety net for car repairs, vet bills, or “nope, we’re not panicking about the furnace.”
Start small: $50, $100, literally anything that feels doable. Even small amounts build breathing room over time!
(Side note: If you run a business or hold a corporation, it often makes sense to keep your emergency fund personally. That way, everyday decisions like repairs, travel, or helping family don’t have to become tax discussions.)
3. Making Key Year-End Financial Decisions
A few tiny financial moves before the year wraps up = major impact later. Things to consider:
- RESP or FHSA contributions: Maximize grants or deduction room before it resets.
- Charitable donations: Do good and snag a tax credit? Win-win.
- Intentional year-end spending: Prepay certain expenses or replace key equipment to help smooth next year’s cash flow.
- Dividends or compensation adjustments: Don’t wait for January. Your accountant will thank you (and so will Future You).
You don’t need to do everything. But chances are, something on this list is worth acting on.
4. Work with Your Financial Pros, Not Just Around Them
Don’t just show up to your planner or accountant with a shoebox full of receipts and assume they’ll tell you everything you need to know. Keep them in the loop when things change. They can only help with what they know!
And listen to your gut. If your advisor only calls when they’ve got something to sell? It might be time to re-evaluate who’s on your team.
Look for professionals who leave you feeling calm, confident, and (dare we say?) a little smug about how on top of it you are.
Habits to Leave Behind in 2026
1. Overcomplicating Your System
You’ve got a folder for your folders, five budgeting apps you don’t open, and a pretty spreadsheet you swear you’ll stay on top of “this year.” (Sure, Jan.)
Here’s the truth. More tools = more chaos.
Try simplifying with a tool like PocketGuard so you can see everything in one place. Then, do one focused monthly check-in to stay on track. That’s it.
Simplicity builds consistency. Consistency builds confidence.
2. Not Having a System at All
Yes, you’re pretty intuitive. Yes, you can do a little bit of mental math on the fly. Yes, you’re usually right when you feel your pocketbook getting a little tight. “Winging it” works… until it doesn’t.
You don’t need a perfect budget, but you do need a simple way to see what’s happening before it catches you off guard. (Hi, surprise tax bill.)
Knowing your bank account balance isn’t the same thing as having a plan for your money, so if that’s where you’re stuck, we can help you! Learn about our one-hour advice sessions right here!
3. Putting Off the Big, Uncomfortable Things
They’re not exactly dinner party topics, and that’s why they get pushed to the bottom of the list. Retirement planning. Updating your will. Naming guardians.
They’re easy to put off because they bring up heavy emotions, but waiting rarely makes them easier. It just delays the peace of mind you could be feeling.
I’ve seen too many people lose years of calm because they waited. Take one small step now, your future self (and your family) will breathe easier for it.
Pick one thing:
- Open a note and jot down who you’d want as a guardian
- Schedule a call with your financial planner
- Google “estate lawyer near me” and save one name
That’s how small the steps can be, to get you where you want to go!
4. Sticking With Professionals Who Don’t Add Value
If your advisor only calls when there’s a product to sell, it’s time to rethink that relationship. You deserve guidance that leaves you feeling informed, confident, and supported.
Here’s a reality check:
- According to the J.D. Power 2023 Canada Full‑Service Investor Satisfaction Study, just 6% of Canadian investors say they receive truly “comprehensive” advice that covers all their wealth‑management needs. – J.D. Power
- And get this: among those who do work with an advisor, 43% don’t believe the recommendations they receive are genuinely in their best interests, and 38% say their advisor doesn’t understand their goals and needs. – J.D. Power
- Meanwhile, a study from the Investor Education Fund found that only 64% of Canadians say their advisor clearly explains all the costs, and just 45% were told how much their advisor gets paid for the investments they buy. – dtpr.lib.athabascau.ca
But here’s the good news, when you do partner with the right financial professional, the impact is real.
- Canadians who work with a financial professional, such as a Certified Financial Planner® professional or a Qualified Associate Financial Planner™ professional, are increasingly hopeful about their financial futures year over year (60% in 2025, 56% in 2024, 50% in 2023). – FP Canada™ 2025 Financial Stress Index.
So what does that mean for you? It means you’re absolutely justified in expecting more.
- Advice based on you: your values, your business, your goals.
- Full transparency: fees, compensation, what they actually do for you.
- A sense of relief, not confusion, when you hang up the call.
Some questions to ask yourself:
- Do I feel like this advisor gets me, my business, my life, my values?
- Do they call just to sell, or call to talk strategy?
- Do I understand what I’m paying for, and why I’m paying for it?
- If this advisor disappeared tomorrow, would I feel confident about carrying things forward?
If you’re hesitating at any of those, it might be time for an upgrade.
Ready to go deeper?
Once your basics feel solid, year-end is the perfect time to zoom out:
- Review your investment and savings strategy
- Revisit how your business and personal finances support each other
- Identify what could be simplified, automated, or delegated next year
Our Year-End Financial Handbook ($39.99) walks you through it all, with checklists, prompts, and a whole lot of clarity.
Psst: It pairs really well with the Starter Plan Workshop if you’re ready to refresh your money system before tackling big-picture moves.
Remember…
Heading into a new year doesn’t have to mean reinventing everything. It comes from small habits that stick with you even when life gets chaotic.If you’d like help clarifying your next best step for the year ahead, schedule a call here. Let’s make 2026 the year your finances feel calm, confident, and genuinely yours!
