100 Financial Goals to Inspire Your 2026

5 minute read
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A new year offers the perfect invitation to pause, reflect, and realign how our finances support the life we hope to build. At Kindred, we believe financial goals work best when they’re connected to the things that matter most such as your family, your community, and your deepest values.

To help guide your thinking, here are 100 possible financial goals for 2026. Whether you choose one or a handful, each small step can nurture financial wellbeing for you and your community.

Savings and Emergency Preparedness

1. Build a three-month emergency fund.
2. Increase your emergency savings to six months.
3. Create a vacation fund.
4. Save for major home repairs.
5. Begin saving for your next vehicle.
6. Set aside funds for next year’s Christmas presents.
7. Establish a dedicated car repair savings fund.
8. Automate monthly savings transfers.
9. Open a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA).
10. Maximize your TFSA contribution room.

Retirement and Long-Term Planning

11. Automate Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions.
12. Start an RRSP if you don’t have one.
13. Review your retirement income plan.
14. Meet with a financial planner to update projections.
15. Consolidate old or scattered retirement accounts.
16. Explore a spousal RRSP.
17. Save for retirement using values-aligned investment options.
18. Create a plan to retire debt-free.
19. Review retirement health-care savings needs.
20. Investigate assisted-living options in your area.

Debt Reduction

21. Pay off one credit product completely.
22. Create a plan to eliminate high-interest debt.
23. Reduce your credit card balance by 50%.
24. Pay off your car loan early.
25. Don’t use credit cards at all in January.
26. Refinance a loan to reduce interest costs.
27. Set a monthly debt repayment target.
28. Track your credit score regularly.
29. Consolidate multiple debts.
30. Increase payments on your mortgage principal.

Home and Housing

31. Save for a home down payment.
32. Grow your down payment by 10%.
33. Plan for closing costs on a home purchase.
34. Create a home maintenance budget.
35. Explore affordable, energy-efficient upgrades.
36. Automate your property tax payments.
37. Build a renovation fund.
38. Replace a major home item (roof, furnace, etc.).
39. Explore less expensive insurance options.
40. Create a long-term housing plan for ageing in place.

Family and Education

41. Start a Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP).
42. Increase RESP contributions to maximize grants.
43. Set up savings for a child’s extracurricular activities.
44. Build a family vacation fund.
45. Save for a child’s first car (or encourage them to do that).
46. Support an adult child’s education goals.
47. Create a financial plan for caregiving responsibilities.
48. Save for a wedding or family milestone.
49. Review your life insurance coverage.
50. Build an education or enrichment fund for yourself.

Giving, Community, and Values-Aligned Living

51. Increase charitable giving by a set percentage.
52. Plan monthly giving instead of year-end giving.
53. Give to a cause that reflects your values.
54. Start a family giving tradition.
55. Build a charitable giving budget.
56. Support a local community project.
57. Create a memorial or legacy donation plan.
58. Volunteer with local organizations.
59. Explore impact investing.
60. Align investments with your faith and values.

Everyday Money Management

61. Create a 2026 household budget.
62. Review and reduce unnecessary subscriptions.
63. Track spending for 90 days.
64. Plan weekly meals to reduce costs.
65. Switch to a less expensive grocery store.
66. Create annual financial check-ins.
67. Use digital tools to streamline money management.
68. Build a small “fun fund” for joyful activities.
69. Reduce food waste to save money.
70. Create sinking funds for predictable annual costs.

Career and Income

71. Build a professional development budget.
72. Learn what your employee offers for training and development.
73. Set aside funds for career transitions.
74. Establish a side income project.
75. Build a small business emergency fund.
76. Plan for self-employment taxes (if applicable).
77. Save toward a sabbatical or extended leave.
78. Increase retirement savings with each salary increase.
79. Explore income-sharing or co-operative work models.
80. Create a plan for future career goals.

Lifestyle and Personal Goals

81. Save for a meaningful trip.
82. Build a hobby supplies fund.
83. Plan for a household technology upgrade.
84. Create a health and wellness savings plan.
85. Save for a bike or other eco-friendly transport.
86. Replace worn-out furniture responsibly.
87. Set aside funds for local arts or cultural activities.
88. Build a pet-care emergency fund, or explore pet insurance.
89. Save for a cottage.
90. Prepare for winter or summer gear costs.

Legacy, Security, and Peace of Mind

91. Prepare or update your will.
92. Set up or review both a healthcare and financial Power of Attorney.
93. Create a list of important documents.
94. Build savings for future long-term care needs.
95. Review your estate plan.
96. Create a plan for digital asset security.
97. Build a “legacy fund” for future generations.
98. Review beneficiary designations.
99. Create a family financial roadmap.
100. Hold a family conversation about shared financial hopes.

A Gentle Next Step

If any of these goals inspire curiosity, our team is here to help you plan the path forward. Meaningful financial goals don’t have to be grand or complicated, just honest, thoughtful, and aligned with what matters most to you. Meet with a member of our Wealth and Investment team to discuss your goals for 2026.

Tom Anderson

Tom Anderson, PFP®, CIM®, is a Wealth Regional Manager with Kindred Credit Union and a Aviso Wealth Financial Planner. Tom has a wealth of experience helping people reach their financial goals, and he coaches Kindred’s Wealth and Investment Team. Tom holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Financial Economics.

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