1. Look Back at 2025 Review your income and spending from last year. Where did you overspend? Where did you save more than expected?2. List All Income Sources Include your salary, side hustle income, bonuses, interest, rental income, or any irregular earnings.3. Add Up Your Fixed Monthly Costs Rent or bond, insurance, school fees, loan repayments, subscriptions, everything that doesn’t change much month to month.4. Track Your Everyday Spending Groceries, fuel, eating out, shopping, entertainment. Estimate honestly or review your bank statements.5. Don’t Forget Annual or Irregular Expenses Car services, holidays, gifts, subscriptions billed yearly, medical costs, spread these across the year in your plan.6. Cancel or Reduce Unused Subscriptions Streaming services, apps, gym memberships, software, remove what you’re not using.7. Separate Needs from Wants Highlight what’s essential versus optional. Identify one or two areas where you can comfortably cut back.8. Adjust for 2026 Changes Expecting a raise? New job? Moving house? New baby? Account for lifestyle changes now.9. Build or Strengthen Your Emergency Fund Aim for at least 3 months of essential expenses saved. Start small if needed, consistency matters.10. Review Your Debt List all debts and interest rates. Prioritize paying off high-interest debt first.11. Set Clear Financial Goals for 2026 Examples: Save $___ per month, pay off ___, build a travel fund, invest monthly, reduce expenses by 10%.12. Choose a Simple Tracking Method Use a budgeting app, spreadsheet, or notebook, whatever you’ll actually stick with.13. Schedule a Monthly Money Check-In Set a recurring reminder to review your budget and adjust if needed.