COLUMN: Ask the Money Lady – New resolutions

Dear Money Lady Readers: Today my husband read me my horoscope for 2026, and he says it sounds like me. Have you read yours too? Most of us want to make changes in a new year to ditch the old habits, stop smoking, lose weight, find a new job, the list could be endless. So, is this the year you change the narrative of your life?

Often times the new story to a new life is right in front of you, but for whatever reason we can’t see it, can’t feel it, and certainly can’t imagine making the necessary changes. However, we all know that having the courage to change the course of your future, will always bring you new opportunities. A healthier life, less pain, a new career, more money, more love; it’s all out there for those who want a different story. Of course, this all sounds great, but making a change and keeping up the fight is always easier said than done. Sure, we all plan to make changes every January, with 58 percent of us starting a “New Year’s Resolution” every year. But of those that plan for change, 87 percent will give up and settle back into their old ways by the end of February.

Here’s a quote I want to share with you from an Italian poet Dante Alighieri, (1265-1321): “The path to paradise begins in hell.” Isn’t that the truth. If things were easy, we would all be thin, fit, wealthy and always happy. The fact is, only one percent of Canadians will make their resolution last more than 10 months. Change is tough. Too often we tend to revel in our sad and pitiful life stories, getting an emotional charge out of how unfair life is to us, and how great we are for keeping up the struggle – against all odds. We whine and complain to people about being a survivor and love it when we get comforted: “You poor thing, how do you ever manage?” We have to manage, because we don’t make any changes to improve things.

Now I am not saying we shouldn’t have our pity-parties once in a while. Often times this is exactly what we need – I just don’t want you to keep the party going forever, especially into another year of unhappiness. Remember, the greatest gift we have is the one we often forget: we have a choice. You can always choose a different direction in life. If you believe in the theory of cause and effect, then everything in your past has brought you to this very moment so you can choose another direction. Stop listening to the naysayers and get on with it. Stop wanting sympathy for your sad situation and move past it. And for all you helicopter parents out there, stop smothering your adult children, and let them go. We all need to discover our true self, our destiny and our calling.

Decide on a new story this year. What choices will you make that will change your experiences and bring you closer to the life you want to live. Remember, if you do what you always did, you will get what you always got. Negative feelings create negative attitudes and attract negative people. But, when you decide to make a change, being positive creates feelings of happiness, attracting other happy people with opportunities and connections, to help you advance your new story.

Christine Ibbotson is a Canadian finance writer, radio host & YouTuber. For more advice check out her YouTube channel: ASK THE MONEY LADY – Your Canadian Finance Coach.