The 2026 Reset: Financial Intentions That Stick

The new year brings a powerful inflection point—a natural opportunity to reset financial habits and revisit goals. But instead of relying on fleeting resolutions, consider intentionality over spontaneity. Sustainable change happens when your financial strategy aligns directly with your core values and the purpose behind your wealth.

At AMG Wealth Advisors, we know the key to a lasting reset is focusing on your goals and values. With this in mind, we sat down with our three co-founders to share the most impactful intentions you can set right now to secure a purposeful 2026.

Intention #1: Define Your Purpose Not Just Your Return

By Lori Gann Morris, CIMA®, CEPA®, CeFT®

After guiding clients through major life shifts, I’ve seen that one of the biggest mistakes is focusing solely on the return, not the resilience. We’re often acting as financial detectives, tracing the purpose of wealth back to its true source. As a Certified Financial Transitionist® (CeFT), I encourage you to use this inflection point to commit to something deeper than an arbitrary return. Schedule a conversation to define the values you want your wealth to enable, whether it’s funding a passion project, philanthropic impact, or family education. When you define the purpose behind your money, you shift your focus from net worth to net purpose, creating a lasting plan.

Intention #2: Simplify Your Administrative Foundation

By Jean Arias, CFP®, AEP®, CeFT®, CPWA®, AIF® 

For over 30 years, my work in wealth preservation has taught me that the foundation of a great plan must be built to withstand the unexpected. The easiest mistake to make is letting crucial administrative details lapse during busy times. I urge you to use the start of 2026 to clean up the documents from your past. Review your beneficiary designations, confirm your liquidity is adequate for future goals, and update outdated estate documents. By securing your foundation now, your wealth can truly act as your advocate, allowing you to make decisions confidently.

Intention #3: Activate Your Ensemble Advantage

By Polly Moore, AAMS®, AIF®, CeFT®

Guiding families through four decades of intergenerational wealth transfers has shown me that planning is never done in a silo. Your new chapter needs a coordinated team, with you as the empowered lead. As your advocate, we help you understand your options and make confident decisions. I see my role as ensuring all the pieces fit together—from your estate attorney to your CPA. Commit to scheduling one coordinating meeting this year, bringing your advisors together. This ensures everyone is working toward the same purpose, allowing your entire team to act in unison to secure your future.

Our 3 Key Takeaways for Sustainable Change 

The goal of the 2026 reset is not radical upheaval; it’s sustainable clarity. As your partners, we encourage you to focus on the core actions Lori, Polly and Jean reviewed. Use these to make your intentions stick:

• Define Your Purpose: Commit to identifying the values you want your wealth to enable this year, shifting your focus from net worth to net purpose.
• Simplify Your Foundation: Proactively review your key foundational documents (beneficiary designations, estate documents) and check liquidity to secure your plan’s organization and strength.
• Activate Your Team: Commit to scheduling one coordinating meeting this year, bringing your financial advisor, CPA, and estate attorney together to ensure everyone is working in unison.

Reconnect with your financial plan and personal vision—schedule a conversation with our team to explore what’s next.