This Simple Reminder Could Help You Save More Money in 2026

Saving money is a common New Year’s resolution for many people, especially with 2026 on the horizon. A recent study from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School sheds light on a simple yet effective way to boost your savings account balance: reminders.

Lead author Katherine Milkman explained, “One of the biggest barriers to behavior change is simply that these tasks are not top of mind. We forget to move money from checking to savings, or we put it off until tomorrow. But when these are important decisions, forgetting can have real consequences.”

The study found that in the U.S., 40% of adults have less than one month of expenses saved, and 24% have no savings at all. To address this issue, the researchers analyzed the savings habits of nearly 2 million bank customers. Participants were divided into two groups, with one receiving no emails and the other receiving various types of email reminders over two months.

The group that received email reminders was 0.05 percentage points more likely to save, regardless of the type of reminder. However, the most effective reminder was a weekly email prompting participants to save or congratulating them if they had already saved that week. This group was 1.3% more likely to make a savings deposit.

If every person had received this type of email reminder, the study estimated that collectively, they could have saved an extra $6 million to $10 million. The cost to the bank to implement these reminders would have been minimal.

While banks may not send automatic savings reminders like those in the study, individuals can set their own reminders using workplace tools like Slack, Outlook, and Google Calendar. These tools allow users to customize messages, timing, and frequency to optimize savings goals.

Additionally, artificial intelligence tools like Perplexity offer scheduled task features for setting up recurring reminders through email, SMS, or the app. These tools can help individuals stay on track with their savings goals.

In conclusion, incorporating simple reminders into your financial routine can make a significant impact on your savings. By taking advantage of available tools and technologies, you can increase your likelihood of reaching your financial goals in 2026 and beyond.