Does thinking about finances spike your anxiety? You’re not alone. Money is the number one stressor for Canadians. But it doesn’t have to be. Canadians who work with a financial professional are far more likely to feel hopeful about their finances than those who don’t. And, just to relieve some more financial stress, speaking with a Vancity wealth advisor is 100% free.
We’ve teamed up with Vancity and Aviso Wealth advisor Tina Cheung, to build a New Year finances checklist that is designed to gently get your money in order. It’s a simple three-month money plan with small steps to reset your finances.
“You don’t have to do everything at once,” says Tina. “You start small. You stay consistent. You build routines, maybe a $25 automatic transfer or checking in once a month. The amount matters less than the habit.”
TL;DR: Money can feel stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Book a free monthly money chat with a Vancity advisor. They’ll walk you through everything here, step by step. No pressure. No cost. You can meet with us over the phone, video, or in person, whatever feels best for you.
Money can feel stressful, but it doesn’t have to be.
January: A few small steps to get you started.
January is about clarity, not perfection. And a wealth professional can help you get set up with a plan that works for you. Then, they’ll help you execute that plan with a budget.
But before diving into numbers, take a breath. Money is emotional, and that’s normal.
“Start by giving yourself a little space,” says Tina. “Slow down, notice what you’re feeling, and take a breath before jumping into action.”
Healthy finances are a long game. You don’t need to be perfect from the jump. Your biggest task in month one is just to start, and congratulations! By reading this blog, you’ve already begun.
“What’s one small, realistic step you can take today?” asks Tina. “Is it just picking up a phone to talk with an Advisor?”
Your January to-do list:
- Book a chat with a Vancity advisor. You can go over what you want to accomplish this year, and get free advice on building out a financial strategy.
- Take a look at your spending habits. Sorting your expenses into essentials vs. nice-to-haves is a great way to see where your money is going. Often, the scariest part of getting your finances in order is not knowing.
- Create a budget, either with the help of a Vancity advisor or on your own.
“January is a great time to set small habits that carry through the year,” says Tina. “One simple step is to choose a budgeting framework that works for you.”
Vancity tool tip: Use Vancity’s free budget calculator for an easy budgeting tool.
There are tons of budgeting frameworks. Examples include the 50/30/20 model or the envelope method. But what works for some people won’t work for everyone, especially in a city like Vancouver, where the cost of living is sky high. But even just knowing what your essential expenses are is a big step forward.
“If your income varies month to month, an essentials-first approach, such as the filling your cups method, works well,” says Tina. “Cover essentials first, then debt, then savings with whatever is left.”
Pro tips:
- Cancel subscriptions hiding in your bank statements.
- Do only what you can during January, and be kind to yourself. Every money move you make is a net positive for your financial future.
“Some weeks will go smoothly, and some weeks life will get in the way,” says Tina. “That’s normal. What matters is getting back to your routine and keeping the momentum going.”
Action item: Pat yourself on the back. You’ve made it this far! If you’re feeling overwhelmed, bookmark this page and take a break. Schedule a reminder for February to come back to this page and keep tackling your goals.
February: How to set money goals and actually achieve them.
Now that you’ve got some clarity, month two is all about making your money flow automatically toward your goals. No decision fatigue necessary.
“Think of your money like a waterfall,” says Tina. “Your essentials get filled first. Then your debt payments. After that, even a small trickle into savings keeps everything moving. It’s not about doing everything at once. It’s about keeping the waterfall flowing so you reduce your debt and grow your savings at the same time.”
Your February to-do list:
- If you didn’t do so in January, set a goal. Maybe you want to buy a home, plan a vacation, or pay off your debt. Whatever it is, write it down.
- Automate your savings, bill payments, and any other money transactions you can.
Pro tips:
- Tie your financial goals to something meaningful. Saving “$200 a month” is great, but saving “$200 a month for a 2027 trip to Japan” hits differently.
- Rename your bank accounts based on what you’re saving for, like Emergency Cushion, Japan 2027, or Home Down Payment. This way, you can make your goals feel more real and easier to stick with. If you’re a Vancity member, our new Digital Banking experience makes this simple with easy navigation to help you stay on top of your money.
- Review your RRSP and TFSA contribution amounts. You can incorporate those into your automated savings plan.
“Starting this structure in January helps you stay consistent and reduces stress throughout the year,” says Tina. “Even adding a small automatic transfer to savings or setting a monthly 10-minute check-in can make a meaningful difference by year end. Automation is one of the best things to do. It keeps bills and savings top of mind.”
Action item: Set up a monthly automated transfer for any amount into a savings account. Every little bit helps.
Real-world example: Alex the first-time homebuyer.
Alex wants to save $25,000 this year for a down payment. The plan is:
- Set an automatic transfer of ~$2,080 per month into a First Home Savings Account (FHSA), so they save on taxes.
- After the FHSA’s limit is hit, Alex will start saving in an RRSP for more tax deductions.
- When Alex is ready to withdraw, they’ll transfer their RRSP into a Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP).
What Alex gets in return:
- Reduced stress thanks to automation.
- Tax savings (~$7,000–$8,000 from the combined FHSA and RRSP benefits).
- A clear path to homeownership.
Everyone’s financial path looks different. And the right strategy depends on your goals, your responsibilities, and what matters most to you. A wealth professional can help you sort out what’s best. That could be automating deposits into a TFSA to build an emergency fund. Or just making a plan for a path to homeownership.
Go at your own pace.
It’s totally normal to feel behind and want to catch up on savings. But everyone is running their financial marathon at their own speed. Life hands out different detours, slowdowns, and even U-turns.
“Your situation will look different from someone else’s based on your stage of life, your responsibilities, and what you’re juggling behind the scenes,” says Tina. “What matters most is focusing on what you can control. For example, habits, priorities and consistency. Progress isn’t about matching someone else’s timeline. It’s about moving forward steadily on your own.”
Action item:
Congratulate yourself! You’ve got two months of financial progress under your belt. Bookmark this page and set a reminder to come back in March.
March: How to make good financial habits stick and how to keep your plan relevant.
Make habits stick by regularly checking in on your plan and adjusting as life changes. March is all about staying aligned. Life shifts, your plan should too. Regularly check in to review your progress, whether that’s on your own or with an advisor.
During your check-in, you can ask yourself:
- Can I bump up my automated savings amount? Even $5 makes a difference.
- Do my investments match my comfort level?
- Has anything changed in my life recently that I need to consider?
“Regular reviews are not about checking the numbers,” says Tina. “They are about making sure your plan continues to reflect your actual life, your evolving goals and your risk appetite.”
Your March to-do list:
- Review your progress and habits. Fell off in February? It’s okay, you’re only human. Get back on track in March.
- Ask yourself what works and what didn’t over the last two months. Course-correct where necessary.
- Book a meeting with an advisor to review your goals and what’s changed.
Your finances will evolve alongside your life, so it’s important to review them as you grow.
Pro tips:
- March is a great time to get on top of your taxes. Gather up your tax slips and receipts now so you can file on time in April.
- Decide now how you’ll use any tax refunds. You can pay down debt, top up savings, or split the difference. Or, make a plan for how you’ll pay any owed taxes.
- Review your paycheque deductions so next year doesn’t surprise you.
Vancity resource: It’s tax season! Make filing simpler with these 8 tips.
Action item: Bookmark this page and set yourself a reminder to come back to it in April.
April and onwards: Keep it tidy, keep it relevant.
April’s a great time to give your finances a light spring clean. Small adjustments after tax season can keep you balanced all year.
Beyond taxes, keep your financial momentum going by checking in on your finances at regular intervals.
Your April-and-onwards to-do list:
- Adjust your plan for RRSP, TFSA, or FHSA contributions based on your tax results.
- Set a date in your calendar to review your finances regularly. You can pre-book appointments with your Vancity advisor.
2026 financial checklist FAQ.
How can I financially plan for the new year?
Financially plan for the new year by being aware of where you spend your money, creating a budget, and setting your financial goals.
How to be financially stable in 2026?
Start small, stay consistent, and connect with a wealth professional who can guide you. Small steps add up.
What are the top three financial resolutions for the new year?
Many people’s financial resolutions for the new year are to pay down debt, save more, and spend less. But your financial situation is unique to you.
How to budget for the new year?
You can budget for the new year by sticking to a 50/30/20 model, an envelope or fill your cups method, or by using Vancity’s free budget calculator. Keep in mind that not all budgets work for all people.
You can get your New Year finances without the overwhelm.
You don’t need to overhaul your entire financial life to be in control. Start small, stay consistent, and check in with someone who can help you stay on track. According to experts like Tina, “Progress comes from consistency, patience and small actions that build on each other over time. You can’t boil the ocean, but you can build confidence and clarity through steady, intentional steps. Begin with that one step today.”
You don’t have to take that step alone. We’re here to help. “Working with an advisor means you’re not navigating your finances alone,” says Tina. “We are your sounding board, like a financial doctor. We help you spot gaps, stay on track, and build a clear roadmap for your goals.”
Want help making your plan stick? Our advisors can help you stay accountable. Book a check-in today with a Vancity advisor, virtual or in person.
Mutual funds and other securities are offered through Aviso Wealth, a division of Aviso Financial Inc. The information contained in this article is from sources believed to be reliable; however, we cannot guarantee that it is accurate or complete. This material is not intended to be investment, tax or other advice and should not be relied on without seeking the guidance of a professional to ensure your circumstances are properly considered. Please see our Terms of Use.
