Almost everyone has a plan for their money this year, but the data suggests a massive gap between ambition and execution.
A new survey released by the American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) reveals that while 92% of Americans have set specific financial targets for 2026, 81% of those who set goals last year failed to stick to them.
The findings are based on an online survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of the AICPA that polled 2,079 U.S. adults in late December to gauge their financial outlook.
The results show that folks are eager to save but face some strong economic headwinds.
Where the money’s going?
The majority of Americans are focused on saving, with 77% of respondents listing that as a primary goal.
Retirement remains a priority for 32% of savers, while 29% are setting aside cash specifically for a vacation.
Debt reduction and investing are also high on the list, with about a third of respondents focusing on paying down credit card bills, student loans or medical debt.
Generational divides
No big surprise that saving priorities shift by age. Here’s how each generation is looking at 2026, according to the survey:
Gen Z: About 41% are focused on saving for a car.
Millennials: Their top goal (36%) is saving for a vacation.
Gen X: Their top priority is saving for retirement (46%).
Baby Boomers: This group is split between paying down debt and investing (both 33%).
Why savers fall short
Among those who fell short of their goals last year, 36% blamed the rising cost of living.
Half of all Americans with financial goals cite the rising cost of groceries, housing and utilities as the top threat to their success.
The second-biggest hurdle is unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs, which 41% of people worry will derail their progress.
Other significant stressors include job uncertainty (26%), higher interest rates (21%) and simply feeling too overwhelmed to act (21%).
Optimism vs. reality
The economic pressure has created a split in sentiment. Overall, 42% of Americans believe their finances will improve in 2026. However, that optimism is largely driven by youth.
Roughly half of Gen Z and millennials believe their financial situation will get better this year. In contrast, baby boomers are feeling less rosy, with only 29% expecting an improvement.
How to beat the odds
Some Americans admit they don’t even know how to start, so the key is to take simple steps forward.
In a summary of the findings, Pamela Ladd — CPA/PFS and AICPA’s senior manager of personal financial planning — explains:
“Americans are determined to take control of their finances in 2026, but the reality of rising costs means planning and flexibility are more important than ever. Defining your goals, choosing sustainable steps and getting help from online resources or a CPA professional can help consumers stick to their goals.”
If your primary fears are a rising cost of living and inflation, set a baseline savings goal you can hit even in the hardest months.
And since 41% of people fear surprise bills, it’s wise to build an emergency fund before saving up for vacation. Automating even a small transfer to a separate account can insulate your other goals from sudden financial shocks.
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