Micro-Resolutions for a Healthier Financial Year

As the holidays come and go and the calendar flips to a new year, many of us start thinking about fresh starts, including financial ones. But if you’ve ever set lofty New Year’s resolutions and felt disappointed when they didn’t stick past January, you are not alone.

The problem? Big goals can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re embracing micro-resolutions: small, sustainable changes that are easy to start and stick with. When practiced consistently, they can lead to big improvements in your financial wellness over time.

Think of it like shoveling snow during a long winter. It’s much easier if you tackle a little at a time rather than wait for it all to pile up. Here are some tips and micro-resolutions you can follow to help you build momentum and make 2026 your most financially confident year yet.

Establishing Your Micro-Resolutions

Before starting small with your micro-resolutions, begin by simply looking at the bigger picture. What goals are you hoping to achieve in the new year? Maybe it’s going on a family vacation or purchasing a new car. Or it could be something like building up your emergency fund.

Think of micro-resolutions like the building blocks you can use to work up to these larger goals. Once you have your bigger picture in mind, see how some micro-resolution examples below can help you get there.

Start a Weekly Money Check-In

Every week, take five minutes to log in to your accounts and review your spending. You don’t need a spreadsheet or finance degree, just awareness. Track categories like food, gas, entertainment, and more.

These check-ins may also serve to remind you of subscriptions and services you’re paying for. It can become very easy to lose track of these services and even forget about them! If you see any you no longer use or could easily live without, consider cancelling them and saving a little extra.

By doing this, you’ll be seeing where your money goes each week. This can help you make smarter decisions going forward. Try setting a calendar reminder for “Finance Friday,” a weekly date with your budget, right before the weekend spending temptations begin.

Automate a Little Saving

Set up a small, automatic transfer into savings every payday; even $5 or $10 helps. Automation is your best friend when building habits. Whether you’re saving for a vacation, a rainy day, or next year’s holidays, start now and let time (and compound interest) do the heavy lifting.

Some ways to get started:

• Open or use a Savings or Holiday Club account
• Set up a recurring transfer through Online Banking
• Treat savings like a bill, so it's non-negotiable

Pay a Little Extra on Your Credit Card

Round up your credit card payment or add a few extra dollars beyond the minimum. Reducing your balance, even gradually, can help lower interest over time and boost your credit score. Paying down debt is truly one of the best ways you can save.

If you have an American Heritage Credit Card, you can also use your Cash Back or ScoreCard® Rewards to offset purchases. And for even faster progress, make a second “mini” payment mid-month to knock down the balance before it grows.

Set Spending Alerts

Use digital alerts to keep your budget top of mind. Stay in the know with text or email alerts that notify you of large transactions, balance thresholds, or when your paycheck hits. These alerts serve as gentle nudges to stay within budget or reminders to slow down on spending. Plus, these alerts can signal possible fraud for transactions you don’t recognize.

Not sure how to set up eAlerts? Log in to Online or Mobile Banking and look for the Alert Settings to get started.

Help a Young Saver Get Started

Open a Youth Savings Account for your child or grandchild. It’s never too early to teach smart money habits. By starting with small deposits and watching them grow, kids begin to understand the value of saving. Plus, it’s a great way to make financial education part of your family’s routine in the new year.

Micro-action: Add a few dollars from birthday or holiday gifts to their account each month.

The Key is Progress Over Perfection

Micro-resolutions work because they’re manageable. Instead of pressuring yourself to overhaul your finances overnight, you’re taking small, meaningful steps – and those add up. You’re not aiming for perfection. You’re building consistency.

So whether it’s a weekly account check-in, rounding up payments, or setting a $10 auto-transfer to savings, celebrate each win. And if you ever fall off track? That’s OK. Just start again next week.