Forget Resolutions: How to Set New Financial Intentions That Work

Financial intentions are different from resolutions. Every year, people make big New Year resolutions about money. You swear you’ll never spend on takeout again or tell yourself this is finally the year you’ll save three months of rent. But the truth? Most of us break those promises pretty fast. Resolutions are tough. One mess-up, and it feels like you blew it.

What if instead you focused on financial intentions? Financial intentions aren’t about setting impossible standards or beating yourself up over every little mistake. It’s more about how you want to feel about your money and how you handle it every day. They give you some wiggle room and keep you moving forward, even if things get a little messy.

Resolutions vs. Intentions: What’s the Real Difference?

New Year’s resolutions usually sound like strict rules: save X dollars every month, never buy coffee out again, don’t mess up. The problem is, the moment life gets in the way or you slip, it’s easy to just quit. Who hasn’t been there?

Intentions, on the other hand, don’t box you in. They’re more about the kind of mindset you want or the way you want to show up for yourself financially. There’s less pressure, more room to figure things out as you go. Think of intentions as a helpful nudge to keep checking in. Saying “I want to feel in control of my finances” or “I want less stress around bills” helps you get back on track—even if things aren’t perfect.

How to Set Your Own Financial Intentions

Here’s how to get started without making your life harder than it needs to be:

1. Figure Out What You Actually Want

Start here: Why do you want to change your money habits? Is it so you can sleep easier? Finally take that trip? Just not panic every time you check your account? Get real about what matters to you, not what sounds impressive.

Instead of “I’ll pay off all my debt right away,” try “I want to free up some breathing room so I can actually relax about money.”

2. Make Your Intentions Real

Say your intentions as if they’re already happening. “I am learning to spend on what truly matters.” “I am building a safety net so I don’t have to stress about emergencies.” Write them down and stick them where you’ll see them.

3. Attach Your Intentions to Simple Habits

Intentions only work if you back them up with small changes. Maybe it’s checking your bank account every week. Unsubscribing from sales emails. Giving yourself a cooling-off period before big purchases.

If saving is your focus, try setting up an automatic transfer—even a few bucks a week counts. Use a round-up app to save spare change or poke around for a new savings account that earns a little more interest.

4. Don’t Beat Yourself Up

Spoiler alert: you’re going to screw up sometimes. You’ll splurge on delivery or forget to transfer money. That doesn’t mean you failed—it means you’re human. When it happens, pause, figure out what went sideways, and pick up from there. Progress isn’t a straight line.

5. Check In and Keep Tweaking

Intentions can (and should) shift as you do. Revisit them every so often. Are they helping? If not, swap one out or add a new focus. Your values and your financial life aren’t set in stone.

Make This Year Different

Ditch the all-or-nothing promises and try financial intentions instead. You’re not chasing some magic number. You’re building habits that fit your real life. Even small, steady steps forward beat big plans that don’t last.

Cut yourself some slack, stay flexible, and focus on what truly matters to you. That’s how you build a better relationship with your money with financial intentions. A new one that actually sticks.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice. Everyone’s situation is different, so consider speaking with a qualified financial professional before making decisions about your money.