End-of-Year Financial Checklist: Set Yourself Up for Success in 2026
As the end of the year approaches, you’re probably looking forward to spending time with friends and family over the holidays. It’s also the perfect time to review your finances. It's an opportunity to see what worked, what didn't, and what changes you need to make to reach your goals. Updating your financial plan now can help you stay organized and set you up for a more confident, stress-free 2026.
At Texans Credit Union, we're here to support you every step of the way. Our digital banking tools make it easy to track your spending and set savings goals, and our competitive savings products can help you grow your money. In this end-of-year financial checklist, we’ll walk through the steps to review your finances and build a strong foundation for the year ahead.
STEP 1: REVIEW YOUR BUDGET AND SPENDING HABITS
If you’re wondering how to prepare your finances for the new year, the first step is to take a look at how well your 2025 budget worked. Did it meet your needs, or did you consistently overspend in some areas? Perhaps you allocated too much money to some budget categories and too little to others. If your budget doesn’t feel balanced, you may need to make some adjustments.
It’s also a good idea to review your spending habits to see if there’s anything you can cut back on or eliminate. For example, you might discover you're spending more on morning coffees than you realized. Tracking your expenses can help you identify areas that need improvement.
Sure, you can carry a pen and notebook with you and write down all of your transactions, but Texans Credit Union’s financial tools can simplify the process. The Texans Mobile App , Card Manager , and Online Banking allow you to view transactions, categorize spending, and look for opportunities to save right from your mobile device.
Once you've seen what's working and what needs to be updated, use that information to create a 2026 starter budget to adjust your spending categories. Base each category on your actual 2025 spending.
For example, if you spent $800 per month on groceries, don't budget $600 in that category for 2026. Remember that budgets are meant to be flexible, and it's okay to make adjustments as needed throughout the year.
STEP 2: CHECK YOUR CREDIT REPORT AND SCORE
Staying on top of your credit report and score can benefit you in many ways. A strong credit history can help you qualify for loans, rent an apartment, set up utilities, or even secure a new job. Mistakes on credit reports happen more often than many people realize, which is why reviewing your report each year is so important.
You can access a free credit report from each of the three major bureaus — Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion — each year at AnnualCreditReport.com. Review your reports carefully for incorrect addresses, outdated accounts, or unfamiliar collections. If you spot errors, you’ll want to address them quickly.
Texans Credit Union makes this easier with Dovly Uplift — a free benefit for Texans Visa debit cardholders. Dovly is an automated credit engine that helps identify inaccuracies and disputes them directly with the credit bureaus on your behalf. If your credit report shows incorrect personal info, inaccurate payment history, or accounts that don’t belong to you, Dovly can help resolve those issues and keep your report accurate.
The information on your credit report directly affects your credit score. A strong score can help you qualify for better interest rates on mortgages, auto loans, and other financing. Texans Credit Union's alerts and card monitoring tools also help you stay aware of suspicious activity in real time so you can protect your credit throughout the year.
STEP 3: EVALUATE YOUR SAVINGS AND EMERGENCY FUND
An emergency fund can be an important lifeline when the unexpected happens. How much did you manage to set aside in 2025? Are your savings and emergency fund where you want them to be, or do you need to add to them? If you don't already have one, now is the perfect time to open an additional Texans Credit Union savings account and start building a reserve fund.
An easy way to grow your savings is to automate it. Texans Credit Union’s Online Banking and Mobile App let you schedule regular transfers from your checking account to your savings account, so your fund grows without any extra effort. You can start with small amounts, like $10 per week, and increase it as your budget allows. Small, consistent transfers might not seem like much, but they can add up over time. Another effortless option is the Texans Roundup Program , which automatically rounds up your debit card purchases to the next dollar and moves the difference into savings. It’s a simple way to build your emergency fund without changing your spending habits.
STEP 4: SET NEW FINANCIAL GOALS FOR 2026
If you’re unsure how to set financial goals, start by thinking about what you want to accomplish in 2026. Setting realistic, measurable financial goals will keep you motivated. Maybe you want to pay off a credit card, or save for a vacation or a down payment on a home. To make large goals more manageable, consider breaking them into smaller steps.
For example, if you want to pay off $2,400 in debt in 2026, breaking it up into $600 per quarter or $200 per month helps it feel more achievable.
Texans Credit Union's banking tools make it easy to track your progress. They help you monitor your account balances and review your spending. The right bank accounts can also support your goals – savings accounts work well for short-term plans, while certificates and money market accounts can offer higher returns for long-term needs. Also, the Texans Two-Step Checking account allows you to earn interest on your linked Texans Savings accounts.
STEP 5: REVIEW LOANS, INSURANCE, AND DEBT MANAGEMENT
The next step in the end-of-year financial checklist is to review your loans. If interest rates have dropped or your credit score has improved, refinancing could lower your loan payments or reduce the total interest you'll pay. Texans Credit Union can help you determine whether refinancing or debt consolidation might save you money.
Making extra payments on your loans can also help you pay off your debt faster and save on interest. You can easily make a loan payment online and specify that the extra payment should be applied to the principal. Extra payments can make a big difference in the total interest you'll pay over time.
This is also a good time to review your insurance coverage. Check that your policies still match your needs, and consider getting quotes from other providers. Insurance prices change frequently, and another company may offer a better deal. You might even save more by bundling your policies.
STEP 6: CELEBRATE PROGRESS AND STAY ORGANIZED FOR 2026
Before you start focusing on 2026, take a moment to celebrate the progress you made in 2025. Did you stick to your budget or grow your emergency fund? Small achievements matter, too. Canceling a subscription, avoiding a late payment fee, or making an extra loan payment might seem small, but every dollar you save brings you one step closer to your goals.
To help you stay organized, create a financial calendar to record your bill due dates, loan payments, savings goals, and other financial information. You can also stay on top of your finances throughout the year with the Texans Mobile App , Card Manager , and Online Banking .
Don't forget that Texans Credit Union is your partner in achieving financial success. We offer personalized guidance and helpful resources to support you. If you ever have questions or need assistance, our friendly team is always here to help.
TEXANS CREDIT UNION — YOUR PARTNER IN YEAR-ROUND FINANCIAL WELLNESS
Before you step into the new year, take the time to review your finances, set goals, protect your accounts, and grow your savings. Planning ahead can help set you up for a stronger, more secure 2026.
Texans Credit Union offers accounts, tools, and resources to make managing your money easier. We are here to help you stay organized so you can spend less time stressing about money and more time enjoying the year ahead.
Ready to take the next step? Contact us today to learn more about our financial resources and how we can support you in 2026.
