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“A good life is everything you need and some of what you want. If you have everything you want, you appreciate none of what you have.”
This quote comes from a book I’m currently reading, The Art of Spending Money: Simple Choices for a Richer Life. It struck a chord with me because most of us already have everything we truly need. The real challenge is learning to separate needs from wants—and being intentional about that difference.
So here’s my personal challenge for 2026, and an invitation for you as well: Can you shift your thinking from “Do I want this?” to “Do I need this?”
Here’s a few practical ways to apply this mindset this January:
1. Increase retirement or college savings
If you haven’t already, consider increasing your 401(k) contribution or adding to your kids’ 529 plans. Automating savings removes the temptation to spend first and save later. We need to save for retirement, and many families will need a way to help pay for college—even if that means passing on a few short-term wants.
2. Do a post-holiday savings check
If the holidays stretched your budget, January is a great time to rebuild. A healthy emergency fund ensures you have cash available when a true need arises—without stress or scrambling.
3. Clean up your diet (and expectations)
This isn’t just about money. Every January, we hit the gym and eat healthier… and by February, we’re back to old habits. Try focusing less on perfection and more on substitution: fewer things you want (extra dessert, soda, beer) and more of what you need (vegetables, protein, water).
4. Get outside and move
It’s tempting to stay in and binge Netflix, but it’s 60 degrees in January! Take advantage! Go for a walk, find a trail, get outside. You’ll come back both physically and mentally stronger.
January is about setting the tone—not through extremes, but through small, intentional choices. When we prioritize what we need, the things we want tend to feel a lot more rewarding.
Greg Dillard, CFP®
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