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The New Year Called — It Wants Its Resolutions Back

Why most resolutions fail by February and how you can beat the odds.

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At the end of each year, consumers tend to experience this sort of collective hangover of overconsumption. To cope, many people may resolve to do better in the new year. They set resolutions to eat healthier, work out more and spend less money. The problem is resolutions are hard to stick to, and data shows most people struggle to stay the course.

According to a new study conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Origin — a leading personal finance app — nearly half of people have already given up on their New Year’s resolutions only two months into the year.

In fact, when asked, 49% of Americans who set a resolution in 2024 said they abandoned it by the end of February, with 40% of people having done so in January. What’s worse, once people experience a setback, many struggle to get back on track.

By the end of the year, 70% of Americans who set a 2024 New Year’s resolution abandoned it altogether. This number jumps to 89% for Gen Z (ages 18-28) and 74% for millennials (ages 29-44).

Friends having fun

New year, new resolutions

This year, 85% of Americans set a New Year’s resolution. Three-quarters (75%) say they resolve to improve their finances in some way — most commonly, Americans aim to increase their income (36%). This goal is especially common among younger generations. More than half (51%) of Gen Z and millennials resolve to bring in more money in 2025.

In addition to increasing their income in the new year, many Americans focused their resolutions on things like sticking to a budget or paying down/off debt (33% each), saving for a specific goal (27%) and improving their credit (26%). Overall, it appears consumers are attempting to reign in spending, increase their savings and chip away at mounting debt, especially as interest rates remain high.

Here’s what Tyler Horn, head of planning at Origin, has to say about these trends:

A photo of Tyler Horn

New year, new resolutions

I'm not surprised to see so many people set goals to increase their income this year. There's been a lot of talk about wages not keeping pace with inflation, which is likely driving more people to seek additional streams of income. Looking ahead, I imagine we'll see an uptick in side hustles and content creators as people look for new ways to earn money. Remember, as your income goes up, it's important to refactor your budget to account for the new influx of cash. Make sure to adjust how much you're allocating toward saving and paying down debts.

— Tyler Horn, Head of Planning, Origin

Old habits die hard

So far, in the first month of 2025, 41% of Americans who set resolutions have abandoned them, and nearly a quarter (23%) have given up on those related to their finances.

There are likely a number of contributing factors at play.

First, new habits are hard to form. Second, with growing trends like doom-spending, consumers might overspend to cope with feelings of uncertainty and money dysmorphia — where major financial milestones feel so out of reach that people opt out of them altogether. These trends might make it easier for consumers to stray from their financial goals.

To help consumers get back on track with their New Year’s resolutions, Tyler offers the following tips:

  • Check in. Now that we’re one month into the year, review your initial goals and make adjustments as needed. Ask yourself, does this still feel realistic? How can I adjust this goal to be more attainable?
  • Start small. Begin with a manageable version of your habit. For example, if you want to start budgeting, focus on one aspect of your spending, like dining out.
  • Be consistent. Attach your new habit to an existing routine or set specific times. For instance, set a date once a week to go over your spending for the last seven days and make a plan for the next seven.
  • Track your progress. Using an app or tool can help you stay on top of your progress and allow you to monitor your consistency. This can help keep you motivated and hold you accountable.
  • Celebrate wins. It’s important to reward yourself for sticking to your financial resolution, even in small ways. This kind of positive reinforcement can help keep you motivated.

Methodology

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Origin Financial from January 13-15, 2025 among 3,059 US adults ages 18 and older. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval.

For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact stephanie@goodpr.co.

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