Entrepreneur shares helpful tips to reset your finances for 2026

As the holiday season winds down, many people are facing the reality of drained bank accounts.

2026 is here, and like most people grappling with the dent holiday shopping put on your wallet, it’s time to reset your finances for a successful year.

Entrepreneur and founder of Cardiff, William Stern, says the month of January is the most ideal.

“January proves to be a great time to kind of like you said hit that reset button and get our financial goals in place for the next 12 months,” said Stern.

Stern shares tactical advice to benefit you in the long run. Put all of your cards on the table and focus on the debt you’ve accumulated.

“What I like to do is start with the debt that has the highest APR. Why? Well, that accumulates interest as fast as possible. And so, that’s a dangerous thing to your sort of internal cash flow,” said Stern.

As adults work to get their finances on the right track, it’s the ideal time to introduce kids to safe money practices.

“Talk to your kids about the goals that they have for the balance of the year, right? If there’s big items that they’re looking to purchase, if there’s vacations that the family wants to go on,” said Stern.

Stern says it’s important to model how adults reason through their budgeting process to show kids how to set themselves up for success.

“My advice to parents is teach your kids to go out to the neighbors, knock on doors and get uncomfortable and ask what they can do to earn some money,” said Stern.

Some ideas for kids at home to earn their own income include washing trash bins, pulling them to the street before the garbage truck comes, mowing lawns, walking dogs, and more.

Having conversations with your child about responsible money management is key to financial success when they’re older.

Stern says learning rejection is vital to a child’s development and financial literacy.

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