As the new year begins, a familiar resolution takes hold for millions across the UK: this is the year I finally sort my finances. From tackling mortgage paperwork and understanding pensions to cancelling forgotten subscriptions and building savings, January 2026 brings that same wave of determined intention.
The Sticking Point: Knowing You Need Help
For many, the initial resolve quickly fades as real life resumes. Work gets busy, and the sheer volume of paperwork feels overwhelming. A common barrier is the belief that professional financial advice is only for the wealthy or those already financially organised. However, the reality in 2026 is quite the opposite.
More ordinary households are now seeking regulated advice than ever before. Navigating complex choices around mortgages, pensions, insurance, and savings has become increasingly difficult alone. This is driving a surge in the use of services like Unbiased, an adviser matchmaking platform that connects individuals with fully regulated financial experts based on their specific needs.
Your Practical 10-Point Financial Reset Plan
Whether you plan to go it alone or seek expert guidance later, getting organised is the critical first step. Follow this straightforward checklist to take control and stop your 2026 financial goals from slipping away.
1. Block Out One Realistic Hour
Forget attempting a full-day overhaul. Momentum trumps perfection. Diarise one solid hour and treat it as a non-negotiable appointment with your finances.
2. Gather Everything in One Place
Collect all bank statements, mortgage documents, pension letters, and insurance policies. Whether physical or digital, having a single overview is essential.
3. Open a Blank Page
Using a notebook or your phone's notes app, factually list every account, policy, pension pot, and credit card you hold. No judgement required.
4. List All Active Payments
Write down every streaming service, app membership, and subscription. Seeing them listed is often an eye-opening exercise in identifying wasted expenditure.
5. Cancel One Easy Thing
Immediately cancel one subscription you barely use. This quick win builds positive momentum and feels instantly productive.
6. Note Your Debts Clearly
For all credit cards, loans, and overdrafts, clearly list the outstanding balances and their interest rates. Clarity is the first step to removing fear.
7. Capture All Your Pensions
List every pension pot, including old ones from previous employers. Many people are surprised by how many they have accumulated.
8. Write Three Financial Goals
Set one short-term goal (e.g., a summer holiday fund), one medium-term goal (e.g., clear a credit card this year), and one longer-term goal (e.g., consolidate pension pots).
9. Decide Where You Want Help
You don't need answers now. Simply identify the areas where professional guidance would be most valuable. This is the point where many turn to a service like Unbiased.
10. Take One Concrete Next Step
This could be booking a free initial conversation with an adviser via Unbiased or simply setting a calendar reminder to review your notes. Any movement beats avoidance.
Turning Intentions into Action
The key to success is avoiding the temptation to do everything at once. By breaking the process down, gathering the basics, and securing a few quick wins—like cancelling unused subscriptions—the larger, more daunting decisions become far more manageable.
Ultimately, sorting your finances does not require a dramatic, stressful overhaul. It begins with the calm, organised step of getting everything out in the open and deciding what happens next.
