15 Ways to Survive and Thrive with Money in 2026
We are into the second quarter of 2026! So, where are you when it comes to money?
I filled up with gas at $4.09 today, groceries are rising significantly, and the Federal Reserve shared they were not cutting interest rates, so making your money stretch is key!
Here are 15 ways to survive and thrive with your money in 2026:
Check your credit report - not just your credit score. Your credit report contains the following:
A list of businesses that have given you credit or loans
The total amount for each loan or credit limit for each credit card
How often you paid your credit or loans on time, and the amount you paid
Any missed or late payments, as well as bad debts
(Source: annualcreditreport.com)
Obtain a free report today - https://www.annualcreditreport.com
Review your current auto/homeowner's insurance policy rates. Did they increase? I normally do a quick review and gather quotes, in case I’m facing a significant increase.
I called multiple insurance agencies and reviewed the policies.
I asked others in the area which insurance company they used, what their rates were, and how they liked the service.
Schedule a money conversation quarterly.
Find an accountability partner or a friend and schedule a time to have a healthy money conversation.
Here are some prompts:
What were your money goals for 2026?
What did you learn about money last quarter?
What habit did you want to break?
What worked in 2025?
What didn't work in 2025?
What are some money changes you want to implement in 2026?
How much do you plan to save? Invest? Pay off? Etc.
What are your 2026 goals? 3-year goals, 5-year goals? Retirement?
This conversation doesn't have to be long; 30 minutes should suffice. If you liked the dialogue, schedule another one a month from now. Then keep planning them until you reach your goals.
Plan a No-Spend Month! Hear me out. A no-buy month is when you don't buy anything outside your expected expenses - housing, groceries, utilities, and other bills. I learned about the no-buy month from Natalie McNeal's book, The Frugalista Files. I'm planning my no-buy month in February or March. Want to do it with me? The goal is to save as much as possible aggressively.
Print out the last three months of your credit/debit card statement. This event might be a shocking experience, but ripping the band-aid off helps us see the truth. Where are you spending your money?
Compare your yearly expenses. Compare 2025 vs. 20226. Is it more or less? Where did you spend your money?
Open a brokerage account. If you still need to start investing, it's time. Set up a brokerage account if you haven’t already. You won't regret it.
Need help creating one? Here are a few steps to one-up.
Research brokerages (I highly recommend you do your research - I recommend Vanguard, Ameritrade, Fidelity, and E*Trade, and I have accounts at Charles Schwab) - do your own research.
Select a brokerage
Open an account (takes between 10-20 mins)
Deposit funds
Select funds
Find ways to give. The more I give, the more opportunities open up for me. So incorporate giving into your 2026 Money Game Plan.
Open a High-Yield Savings Account. (rates as of Apr 2026) A high-yield savings account is an account that produces a higher rate of interest. This savings account is different from a regular one; there are limits to withdrawals, so be careful. Rates are currently at 3.30% with American Express. If you put $10,000 into a high-yield savings account at 3%, you could earn $300 for the year. Not a super amount, but way better than your savings account. Check out these below:
Expand your network to grow your net worth. I recommend attending a few free events to meet new people. Why? Because new perspectives will help you learn more. I remember hanging out with a few co-workers. They would not usually be someone I would hang out with. But they were investing in real estate. Those conversations helped me buy my first house.
Get healthy! A clear mind allows you to think better! I joined the YMCA this year to take advantage of group exercise classes. While I enjoy working out independently, I wanted to try aqua fitness for my joints. In addition, working out allows me to sleep better, which promotes more creativity and organization!
Meal prep or try the Too Good to Go App. Let's try to curb inflation by organizing our meals for the week. As a single gal, I'm not too fond of food waste, so I also try to cook for a friend. I spent about $50/week on prepped meals early last year. It was helpful and needed during my busy summer season! Now that I have some time back, I have incorporated meal prepping.
The TooGood2Go App combats food waste by slashing restaurant meals at night's end. This resource allows patrons to enjoy unsold food without breaking the bank.
Become a Boomerang Kid. A boomerang kid opts to return home after living independently for several years. According to the Pew Research Center, in 2020, over 50% of young adults (defined as 18-to-29-year-olds) in the U.S. lived with at least one parent. (Wealth, 2022) I once thought moving back home at 25 was embarrassing, but it was the best financial decision for me. I was single, had no kids, and had paid off my student loans two years prior. I also had a rental property while I made a move back home. Although it was a short-term decision, I moved out a few months later and purchased a second property.
Sacrifice Expensive Habits (temporarily). Take inventory of all non-essential expenses. Essential expenses include housing, food, transportation, internet, school expenses, etc. What areas can you sacrifice for the short term to pursue financial independence? It was learning to say no to events and items that didn't help me on my financial journey. For example, I love to travel, but I put my trips on hold for a year to pay off my debt. Once I paid off my debt, I visited Mexico, Barbados, and Italy the following year. However, a temporary sacrifice can lead to years of fun and excitement - no obligation included.
Split a food basket. Bulk distribution services will distribute tons of produce and fruit for $30 or less. If you have a few adults, this saves $$$ on produce. Each city is different; I recommend Googling your location to see if they exist near you.
Not sure where to start? That's exactly what this call is for.
In 30 minutes, we'll look at your finances together, cut through the noise, and figure out the one move that matters most for you right now.
Let’s design your money story! This call will include a Design Your Money Story Exercise, 20 minutes of financial coaching and will cover topics including:
budgeting
investing
money goal setting
debt management