We want to help you feel confident in 2026, so we’ve gathered some practical tips that we think will work for you.

Review Your 2025 Spending Habits
Before you jump ahead to 2026, look at what you spent in 2025. What purchases felt worth it? Where did you overspend? If you have 2024’s statements accessible, comparing the two can show where your spending habits have shifted.

Here are a few questions for this part of the process:

1. Did you buy clothes or items that you didn't really need?
2. Could you have spent less on takeout and cooked more?
3. Did any subscriptions feel underused?

Set Realistic Budget Goals for 2026
Now that you’ve thought about 2025, it’s time to start fresh. Set goals that feel practical for you. If you know that you’re going to spend a lot on your hobby, whether that’s golfing, events, or arts and crafts, be real about it and factor that in. If you think you can spend less in a certain category, consider reallocating that money to something more important to you, such as food, rent, pets, or long-term savings. And as a reminder, budgeting isn’t only about monthly expenses. It also includes future purchases, like travel, retirement, or emergencies.

Use Automatic Transfers to Simplify Saving
One useful way to stay on track is to automate your transfers. Set up a specific amount from each paycheck that feels realistic, and have that go directly into your savings account. This makes saving easier, because you don’t have to think about it, and you’re less likely to spend what you’ve already put away. You can set up automatic transfers via our online banking platform. As always, you can give us a call or stop by during business hours for assistance. We are happy to help.

Make the Most of Your 2026 Tax Refund
Tax season is coming up, and your annual refund is a great way to give yourself a boost. Similar to automatic transfers, your refund is a useful way to save for expenses down the road, whether that be emergency savings, debt, car repairs, or life changes.

Long-Term Goals > Short-Term Pleasure

Simple Ways to Cut Back
As we mentioned, one of the most important tips for a healthy budget is to be realistic about your spending. Sometimes, the key to a great budget is getting creative about how you can stretch your dollars.

• Daily spending: Do you have a daily coffee run you can cut out? Consider using a rewards app to get deals for your loyalty.
• Compare grocery stores: Prices vary more than you think, even when in close proximity to each other. Take some time to compare prices online and keep a lookout for coupons.
• Meal planning: Making a plan of what you’re going to eat can be great for reducing waste and takeout spending
• Streaming services: At the end of the year, all those monthly payments can stack. Make a list of what you want to watch, and then when that list is full, you can pay for the streaming service that month, watch what you need, and then cancel it to save money.
• Local events: Macomb County is full of free and low-cost entertainment, farmers’ markets, and more. There is plenty to save on and enjoy.

All these can save you more than you expect.

Important Things to Consider
Make sure to check in on your budget often. See how the year is going and how the pace is looking. Remember that life changes, and it’s okay to be flexible about your budget. Getting a promotion, moving, starting a side hustle, or handling emergencies are all normal reasons to adjust your budget.

Need Help Creating Your 2026 Budget?
If you have any questions about your 2026 budget or want to sit down to talk about your goals for any reason, you're always welcome to call us or stop by any of our locations.
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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Please consult with a financial advisor to determine the best loan options for your specific needs.