The start of a new year often marks the start of new habits and goals, even when it comes to personal finances. And AI could be the key to reaching your 2026 financial resolutions.
According to a 2025 JD Power survey, more than half of consumers say they use AI for financial advice or information; Of those respondents, 13% say they use AI for banking and financial services on a daily basis.
At a time when higher everyday costs are stretching many people’s budgets to the limit, AI can offer money-saving tips and tools so you can successfully achieve your New Year’s goals. This is how.
Read more: The best financial habits to start in January, backed by data
There are countless ways you can use AI to get your financial house in order and save more money. Consider trying one or more of the following strategies to get the ball rolling and save extra money each month.
The key to achieving your 2026 money resolutions is to set realistic, measurable goals. So if your resolution sounds like “save more” or “get better with money,” AI can help translate that into something actionable.
For example, you can ask AI to break down a big goal into monthly or weekly goals and create a personalized savings plan based on your income and expenses. Your message might sound something like: “Help me turn the goal of saving $5,000 this year into a realistic monthly plan based on an annual salary of $60,000.”
Read more: 5 ChatGPT Tips to Help You Create a Better Budget
2. Find and cancel unused subscriptions
Many of us have been guilty of signing up for a free trial and forgetting to cancel, or paying for a subscription we no longer use. In fact, the average American adult spends $1,080 a year on subscriptions and nearly $200 on unused subscriptions, according to a CNET survey. Canceling unnecessary subscriptions is an easy way to reduce expenses and increase your monthly cash flow.
However, if you don’t want to sift through months of bank statements looking for these charges, you can sign up for a money-saving app like Rocket Money or Trim, which use AI to find and cancel unwanted subscriptions in minutes.
You may not realize that some monthly expenses can be negotiated to save money. Your internet bills, cable bills, home utilities, insurance premiums, medical bills, and more can be negotiated to lower your cost, as long as you can make a strong case.
But if the idea of calling your service providers and negotiating rates makes you uncomfortable, know that you don’t have to do it alone. You can ask an AI chat tool to compose an email or prepare a script to follow when speaking to a supplier, or sign up for a tool like PocketGuard or Pine AI, which can negotiate on your behalf.
Read more: Bill Negotiation Guide: How to Get Lower Rates and Save Money Without Cutting Services
You don’t have to stop spending completely to save money; The important thing is to spend intentionally. Of course, comparing prices can be time-consuming and it’s not always easy to find the best deals.
You can use AI-powered shopping tools to find the best possible price for every purchase you make, set price alerts, and track an item’s price history to help you determine the best time to buy. For example, some major companies offer AI shopping assistants, such as Google’s Shopping Assistant, Amazon’s Rufus, and Walmart’s Sparky, which can be useful if you’re loyal to a certain retailer.
AI chat tools can also help identify generic or store brand equivalents, compare specifications and reviews, point out when a higher price doesn’t equal better quality, and more.
When you’re looking for ways to save money, decision fatigue can kill your momentum. However, AI can help you establish “set it and forget it” strategies that keep your savings on track.
For example, you can ask AI to review your finances and determine:
Keep in mind that AI can be a powerful support system for your financial goals in 2026. However, AI is not infallible; may make mistakes and is not a substitute for expert analysis or advice.
In other words, AI works best when you treat it like a financial assistant. If in doubt, consult a financial advisor or other professional.