Millions of Britons are entering into the new year still digesting the implications of the 2025 autumn Budget, yet new research highlights a stark gap between financial ambition and the planning needed to turn financial resolutions into lasting progress.
St. James’s Place ‘Real Life Advice’ report found that the most common financial resolutions for 2026 include building or growing an emergency savings fund (11%), spending less on non-essentials (10%), sticking to a monthly budget (9%), paying off credit cards (9%) and saving a fixed percentage of income (9%).
Despite these motivations, 32% of Britons said they have no plan at all for achieving their financial goals. For around 37%, barriers to financial planning are psychological, with 15% noting planning feels too complicated, 12% saying it would cause stress and 10% avoiding thinking about money entirely.
The report said that those with structured plans – including defined goals and timelines – are almost twice as likely to be on track to achieving their goals compared to those without one.
Claire Trott, head of advice at St. James’s Place, said: “January is when many people feel motivated to take control of their finances but good intentions alone rarely deliver long-term change. Our research clearly shows that having a structured financial plan makes the biggest difference, providing clarity, discipline and a framework that keeps people on track even when life gets busy.”
She added that financial advice also steers Britons towards making financial plans by providing reassurance and helping people remain focused on long-term priorities. Of those receiving ongoing financial advice, the report found that 95% said it helps them reach and stay on track with their goals.