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Make More Sense of Your Cents: 10 Financial Resolutions for 2026

December 29, 2025

NEW YORK, NY – Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga today shared 10 resolutions to help New Yorkers manage and improve their finances in 2026. DCWP encourages everyone to take the time to set financial goals, budget, make plans to reduce debt, and receive free financial counseling at an NYC Financial Empowerment Center this coming year.

“The penny may no longer be in circulation—but every cent still matters for hard-working New Yorkers juggling the cost of rent, groceries, childcare, student debt, and medical bills. The good news is that no one needs to manage finances alone: DCWP is here to help you plan, save, and reach your goals this new year,” said DCWP Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga. “Make 2026 the year you and your family get on track for financial success and take advantage of our free resources, from NYC Free Tax Prep to professional financial counseling at one of our NYC Financial Empowerment Centers. We take nothing more seriously than protecting your money, down to the very last decimal.”

DCWP Financial Resolutions for 2026:

    1. Get free financial counseling. No matter where you are on your financial journey, you can get free, one-on-one financial counseling at an NYC Financial Empowerment Center. Our financial counselors can help you reduce debt, negotiate with your creditors, understand your credit report, create a spending plan, establish or improve your credit score, find a safe and affordable bank account, and start saving for emergencies and the future. In 2025, DCWP’s financial counseling services, including NYC Financial Empowerment Centers, helped more than 10,000 New Yorkers reduce their debt by $10.3 million and increase their savings by $1.9 million. Visit gov/TalkMoney or call 311 and say “financial counseling” to schedule an appointment or for more information.

    2. File your 2025 taxes for free and claim your refund, including important credits. Don’t leave money on the table! Anyone who is eligible should file for free and claim any credits they may qualify for—like the Child Tax Credit, the Empire State Child Tax Credit, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. Although most tax credit eligibility rules are similar to last year, some amounts have changed for 2025, and life events—like a job change or a new child—may make you newly eligible for credits.

      NYC Free Tax Prep will walk you through your eligibility for all tax credits and make sure you receive the maximum refund. Once the IRS announces the start of tax season, New Yorkers who earned $97,000 or less and file as a family, or $68,000 or less and file as an individual or couple without dependents in 2025 can work with an IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer to complete an accurate tax return for free in-person or online.

      It’s also important to note that the IRS Direct File pilot has ended as of October 2025. Taxpayers can check nyc.gov/TaxPrep in January for updated information on safe, free online tax filing options.

      If you work for yourself as a freelancer, gig worker, or small business owner, NYC Free Tax Prep also offers year-round services including tax filing, quarterly estimated tax submissions, consultations, and educational workshops. For more information about these tax filing options and refund-boosting tax credits, including locations and document requirements, call 311 and ask for tax preparation assistance or visit nyc.gov/TaxPrep.

      Finally, if you don’t have a bank account, see Tip #7 on how to find one because the IRS will no longer issue paper check refunds starting this tax season.

    3. Take charge of your student loan debt. Student loan payments have resumed for most borrowers and there have been a lot of changes to plans, policies, and programs. Do you have questions about your student loans and the best options for you? DCWP’s Student Loan Assistance Program can help you understand your options and has fully online services. Sign up at gov/StudentLoans. For in-person, one-on-one help available in multiple languages, you can also sit down with a financial counselor and better understand your options at an NYC Financial Empowerment Center. Visit nyc.gov/TalkMoney to make an appointment today.

      Federal student loan borrowers who are in default (270 days or more of nonpayment) or delinquency (30 days or more of nonpayment), may have their tax refunds seized by the Treasury. Visit nyc.gov/StudentLoans for more information, including steps to check the status of your account and repayment options before you file.

    4. Know your rights in the workplace. The Workers’ Bill of Rights—a multilingual, comprehensive guide to workplace rights in New York City—summarizes the laws that protect workers and job applicants in New York City, regardless of immigration status. The Workers’ Bill of Rights includes information on rights enforced by DCWP, like Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, the Fair Workweek Law, the Freelance Isn’t Free Act, the Temporary Schedule Change Law, and the city’s Delivery Worker Laws, as well as rights enforced by other state and federal agencies, like minimum wage and the right to organize.

    5. Know what you’re getting into if you use “buy now, pay later” agreements. While these services help you purchase more by spreading out payments, the amount of money you end up paying could be more than the total cost of the goods, especially if you miss a payment or pay late. If you choose to use these services, make sure you understand all the terms—for example, the number of weeks you will have to make repayments, interest rates, and fees. Read our tips before you sign up. 

    6. Check your credit report and build your credit history. Lenders use your credit score and information on your credit report to make decisions on loans or credit cards and the interest rate you pay. To avoid surprises and correct any potential mistakes on your credit, you should check your credit reports regularly. You can currently get free online weekly credit report from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion at annualcreditreport.com. If you find any errors, file a dispute with the credit bureaus. Using a credit card wisely will help you build your credit history and increase your credit score. Try using your credit card only for purchases you can pay off in full or at least pay the minimum monthly. A higher credit score means you will have access to better credit products and lower interest rates on any new loans you take out.

    7. Open a safe bank account. If you don’t have a bank account, start the new year by opening one that’s safe, affordable, and right for your needs. Doing so will reduce fees spent at a check casher. All New Yorkers can open a NYC SafeStart Account—the City’s FREE savings account with an ATM card, no overdraft fees, and no monthly fees if you have a minimum balance of only $25 or in some cases even less.

      This is especially important as the federal government will no longer issue paper checks for most federal payments, including tax refunds. Visit nyc.gov/SafeStart or call 311 and ask about the NYC SafeStart Account. Some banks and credit unions also accept IDNYC as the primary form of identification.

    8. Develop a spending plan to better budget your finances. A spending plan can help you reorganize your expenses to achieve your financial goals. Start by tracking your current daily spending so you can better see how your expenses work with your goals—or not. Once you understand your current spending, you will have the information to make financial decisions, create new habits, and feel more in control of your finances. You can find the “lost money” in your budget by canceling unwanted subscriptions or calling your service providers to ask about discounts that can help you find a few extra dollars.

    9. Don’t forget to pay yourself. Remember, saving $25 or $50 a month can help you build savings over time. You can make this easier by setting up automatic transfers for each time you get paid. If you can save for your retirement through a plan sponsored by your employer, try to budget to contribute a set amount each month. Every little bit helps in the long run, even if you cannot reach the maximum contribution limit each year. You also can open your own accounts, such as a traditional Individual Retirement Account (IRA) or Roth IRA.

    10. Protect yourself from identity theft.Create unique passwords for each online account and make sure they have capital and lowercase letters, numbers and symbols. Never share your password with others and change it several times a year. Also, avoid giving personal information online, by email or on social media sites. If you are the victim of ID theft, report it to your local police precinct and file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at gov/idtheft or call 1-877-ID-THEFT (1-877-438-4338). Place a fraud alert on your credit report with one of the three credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion.


The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) protects and enhances the daily economic lives of New Yorkers to create thriving communities. DCWP licenses nearly 45,000 businesses in more than 40 industries and enforces key consumer protection and workplace laws that apply to countless more. By supporting businesses through equitable enforcement and access to resources, DCWP protects the marketplace from predatory practices and strives to create a culture of compliance. DCWP empowers consumers and working families by providing the tools and resources they need to achieve financial health and work-life balance. DCWP also conducts research and advocates for public policy that furthers its work to support New York City’s communities.For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp or on its social media sites, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.


Media Contacts:
Sophie Ota / Milo Gringlas
Department of Consumer and Worker Protection
(212) 436-0042
press@dcwp.nyc.gov