Impulse spending and social pressure can drain your finances, but small changes—like making it harder to online shop and setting clear boundaries with loved ones—can help you stay on track. It’s never too late to kick-start retirement savings: take advantage of employer 401(k) match and increase your contributions after you receive raises.

A Credit Karma survey found that top financial regrets for 2025 included not saving enough money (38%), making impulse purchases (28%), not saving for retirement (14%), and overspending due to pressure from a romantic partner or friends (14%). Many of us have found ourselves shopping out of boredom or stress, buying things we don’t need. Kelly Reddy-Heffner suggests adding “friction” to the shopping process to make it harder to buy.

Last year’s financial regrets don’t have to plague you this year. Find activities beyond shopping, propose affordable social plans, and check your workplace retirement plan for free money. To avoid impulse purchases, limit online payment info storage and have a list of free mood boosters handy. Be open and honest about your financial limits in social situations.

If you didn’t save for retirement last year, it’s not too late to start. Check if your employer offers a 401(k) match and contribute enough to receive it. If you got a pay raise, allocate part of it to your 401(k) or an individual retirement account. Incrementally increasing contributions can lead to positive long-term financial growth.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: 3 Money Mistakes Americans Regretted Most in 2025 and How to Avoid Them in 2026