The beginning of a new year often marks the start of new habits and goals, including 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 are using AI to get 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 max, AI can offer tips and tools for saving money so you can successfully reach your New Year’s goals. Here’s 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 cash each month.
The key to accomplishing your 2026 money resolutions is setting realistic and measurable goals. So, if your resolution sounds something like “save more” or “get better with money,” AI can help translate that into something actionable.
For example, you can ask AI to break a big goal into monthly or weekly targets and create a personalized savings plan based on your income and expenses. Your prompt might sound something like: “Help me turn a goal of saving $5,000 this year into a realistic monthly plan based on a $60,000 annual salary.”
Read more: 5 ChatGPT prompts to help you build 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 it, or paying for a subscription that we no longer use. In fact, the average U.S. adult spends $1,080 per year on subscriptions, and nearly $200 on unused subscriptions, according to a survey by CNET. Cancelling unneeded subscriptions is an easy way to cut expenses and increase your monthly cash flow.
However, if you don’t want to sift through months’ worth of bank statements looking for these charges, you can sign up for a money-saving app such as Rocket Money or Trim, which use AI to find and cancel unwanted subscriptions in minutes.
You might not realize that some monthly expenses can be negotiated to save money. Your bills for internet, cable, home services, insurance premiums, medical bills, and more can all be negotiated down — as long as you can make a strong case.
But if the idea of calling up your service providers and negotiating rates makes you uneasy, know that you don’t have to do it alone. You can ask an AI chat tool to draft an email or prepare a script to follow when speaking with a provider — or sign up for a tool such as PocketGuard or Pine AI, which can negotiate on your behalf.
Read more: Bill negotiation guide: How to secure lower rates and save money without cutting services
You don’t have to stop spending completely to save money — what’s important is spending intentionally. Of course, comparison shopping can be time-consuming, and it’s not always easy to track down 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 helpful if you’re loyal to a certain retailer.
AI chat tools can also help with identifying generic or store-brand equivalents, comparing specs and reviews, flagging when a higher price doesn’t equal better quality, and more.
When looking for ways to save money, decision fatigue can kill your momentum. However, AI can help you set up “set it and forget it” strategies that keep your savings on track.
For instance, you can ask AI to review your finances and determine:
Keep in mind that AI can be a powerful support system for your money goals in 2026. However, AI isn’t foolproof; it can make mistakes, and it isn’t a replacement for expert analysis or advice.
In other words, AI works best when you treat it like a financial assistant. When in doubt, consult with a financial advisor or other professional.
