Our team’s financial resolutions for 2026
The new year provides a useful pause for investors to reflect on their strategy.
The start of a new year is a practical moment for investors to reassess their goals and adjust strategies for the road ahead.
Below are the resolutions that myself and my colleagues are setting for 2026.
Shani Jayamanne
Director, Investment Specialist
My 2026 financial resolution is to lean on more professionals. As I have moved along in my investing journey, my situation has become more complex. I have an Employee Share Plan which makes up part of my compensation, I am married and have opportunities to consider tax and investing strategies that may be more efficient, I have assets that I didn’t have before that justify a professional will instead of a simple will from an online provider. The list goes on.
I have acknowledged that I have reached a point where an opinion from an experienced professional about my strategy will either open new opportunities for me or grant me peace of mind that I am on the right track.
Mark LaMonica
Director of Personal Finance
I’m not a big believer in New Year’s resolutions. Instead I set 5 year financial goals and I’m working on a goal for passive income by the time I’m 50. I’m ahead of schedule and think I can make it two years early if I can keep my savings levels up. For 2026 I’m focused on hitting my savings target and ‘buying’ more income.
Besides that it is just focusing on consistency and remaining patient which is the secret to building wealth over time.
Simonelle Mody
Associate Investment Specialist
One of my resolutions for 2025 was to cut back on unnecessary expenses and increase my investment contributions on a consistent basis. Barring recent Boxing Day indulgences, I’d say I’ve done a pretty decent job of that.
This year I’ve decided that one my primary financial goal is prioritising my health and well-being. Although it sounds like one of those virtuous, hippie endeavours that only wellness gurus with unlimited time and suspiciously flexible schedules can afford, the intention behind it is much more practical.
As I tick over into what many consider the ‘late twenties’ stage of life, neglecting the gym and eating frozen meals every day becomes more of a financial liability than a lifestyle quirk.
Over the year, i’ll be redirecting a small portion of my monthly investment allocation to upgrading my health adjacent spending. In plain terms: better nutrition that doesn’t consist of beige food groups, a nicer gym that i’ll actually want to visit and the occasional physio appointment - you get the idea.
You can find Simonelle’s latest articles for Morningstar here.
Tyger Fitzpatrick
Associate Investment Specialist
Next year, I want to start focusing on investments that give me steady income, not just growth. I’ve always leaned toward high growth opportunities because I considered income investing as something for later in life. I believed you required a large amount of capital to receive decent income given the ASX 200 dividend yield is currently around 3.3%. However, taking a longer term view changed things.
Starting your income portfolio early on in life can really set you up down the track. So this year, I’ll aim to add more dividend paying companies to my portfolio and build a foundation for the future.
You can find Tyger’s latest articles for Morningstar here.
Invest Your Way
For the past five years, Mark and Shani have released a weekly podcast and written on morningstar.com.au to arm you with the tools to invest successfully. They’ve always strived to provide independent, thoughtful analysis, backed by the work of hundreds of researchers and professionals at Morningstar.
They’ve shared their journeys with you, and you’ve shared back. They’ve listened to what you’re after and created a companion for your investing journey – Invest Your Way.
Invest Your Way is a book that focuses on the investor, instead of the investments. It is a guide to successful investing, with actionable insights and practical applications.
If anyone would like to support this project you can buy the book at the below links. It is also available in Kindle and Audiobook versions. Thanks in advance!
