'The 6 ways I'm tricking myself into saving money in 2026.'

Thanks to our brand partner, RACQ Bank

January really is the ultimate financial reset button. It is that rare moment in the year when life is (mostly) back to normal, the calendar is wide open, and you can actually look at your money habits with fresh eyes and set realistic goals for Future You.

That's why this year, instead of declaring a full "new year, new me" overhaul, my focus is on tiny, almost sneaky tweaks that barely feel like I'm missing out day to day but quietly add up over 12 months. Because small changes genuinely do lead to big results — especially when you zoom out and think about where you could be 365 days from now if you just nudged a few habits in a better direction.

And the secret sauce? Consistency. The aim is to set up shifts that don't fade out by February, but keep ticking away in the background, long after the New Year motivation has worn off. It's less about becoming a completely different person with money and more about focusing on turning saving into something you don't really have to think about — using low effort systems, better accounts, and smarter products to do more of the heavy lifting.

That includes finally paying attention to the boring but powerful stuff, like savings accounts, term deposits and home loans, with trusted options like RACQ Bank on the radar for Queenslanders who want their money working harder without needing a finance degree.

And a quick reminder: budgeting is not meant to feel like punishment. A good budget makes you feel more in control, not deprived — it should free up mental space, not make you feel guilty every time you tap your card. So with that in mind, here are six ways I'm "tricking" myself into saving money in 2026, and you can too:

1. Letting my savings account do more of the work.

One of the easiest "tricks" for 2026 is simply making the money you already have work harder in a high-performing savings account, rather than sitting in a low interest account by default. A good savings account rewards your effort — think competitive interest rates, no sneaky monthly account keeping fees, and clear rules around how to earn bonus interest, like regular deposits and not dipping into it every second day.

Savings accounts can be designed to support different goals. For example, RACQ Bank have options where you can earn bonus interest when you deposit a minimum amount each month and avoid debits, or online-only accounts that pay interest on your total balance while still letting you transfer out when you need to. The "trick" here is behavioural: once your pay lands, you automate a transfer into a high-interest savings account and treat that balance like it doesn't exist — letting the account's interest structure quietly reward your consistency over the year.

2. Putting some of my savings on autopilot with term deposits.

If you like the idea of "out of sight, out of mind", term deposits are basically the ultimate set and forget savings trick. A term deposit lets you lock away a lump sum for a fixed period (anything from a month to several years) at a fixed interest rate, so you know exactly what you'll get back at maturity, and you're not tempted to dip into it every time someone suggests a spontaneous weekend away.

Term deposits, for instance, start from a relatively low minimum investment and offer fixed rates over a wide range of terms, which means you can pick a length that aligns with your goal — like a 6‑month or 12‑month term if you're working towards a big purchase later this year. The interest is usually paid at the end of the term (or annually for longer terms), which is a great psychological trick: you get a defined "pay day" for your discipline, without having to constantly monitor markets or shuffle money around.

3. Giving my home loan a proper 2026 audit.

A 2026 home loan audit is the money trick that feels like admin, but can free up serious cash if you haven't revisited your rate or product in a while. A great tip I got from a mortgage broker was to inquire about a reduction in my interest rate each year. I've been checking in on my interest rate exactly 12 months later ever since, and it has really paid off. Not all lenders do this, but it's worth asking and seeing what options are available to you.

The basic process is simple: look at your current interest rate, compare it against competitive rates in the market, and call your bank to ask if they can do better — or explore refinancing if they can't. Take RACQ Bank's home loans: there are competitive variable and fixed options, no annual or monthly fees, and even member benefits to help with reducing those everyday expenses.

Even a small rate reduction can translate into meaningful savings over a year — which you can then "trick" yourself into saving by maintaining your old repayment amount and letting the extra quietly chip away at your balance.

4. Rebranding my "budget" as a weekly check-in.

If the word "budget" makes you feel instantly restricted, rebrand it. The 2026 version is a weekly 10-minute money check in — calendar‑blocked like a meeting — where you simply sit down with your banking app and ask three questions: what came in, what went out, and what can I adjust for next week? This tiny ritual is less about spreadsheets and more about awareness, which is often where the real savings start.

The trick is to design it so it feels like self-care. Make yourself a tea, sit on the couch, and treat it like you're looking after your future self — moving a bit extra into savings if the week was cheap, or adjusting next week's social plans if things blew out. Over time, that small, consistent check-in shifts you from "I have no idea where my money goes" to "I actually feel on top of this", which is the opposite of deprivation and a huge motivator to keep saving.

5. Automating "round ups" and tiny transfers.

This is the sneakiest trick on the list because it relies on amounts so small you barely notice them — but they quietly build momentum in the background. Some banks and apps let you round up your everyday purchases to the nearest dollar (or more) and sweep that extra into a savings or separate "stash" account. One coffee becomes a few extra cents. A grocery shop becomes a couple of dollars. Do that every day, all year, and you're suddenly sitting on a tidy buffer you never had to "feel" yourself saving.

On top of that, setting up a small, automatic weekly transfer — even $10 or $20 — into a separate goal account can add hundreds to your savings across the year with zero effort once it is set. Link it to something specific (a weekend away, a festival, school holidays, Christmas) so it feels like a fun future pay-off rather than money you're depriving yourself of in the present. Again, this is budgeting as control and choice, not restriction.

6. Building "no spend" swaps into my routine.

The final trick for 2026 is to take things you already enjoy and gently downgrade the cost without cutting them entirely. That might look like one "no spend" weeknight where you swap takeaway for a freezer raid dinner, or replacing one rideshare with public transport each week, or deciding that every second social catch‑up is a walk and coffee at home instead of a full brunch.

The key is not to stack all the sacrifices at once. Pick two or three tiny swaps that feel doable and repeat them consistently. Then — and this is crucial — actually move the money you would have spent into savings so you can see it building. Over time, that visual proof that your small swaps are turning into real money is incredibly motivating, and it reinforces the idea that saving is something you're doing for yourself, not something being done to you.

If 2025 felt a bit "chaotic with money", 2026 can be the year that you tweak a few daily habits so that Future You has more options and less stress.

How are you planning to save money in the new year? Tell us in the comments section below.

Explore your next savings account, term deposit, home loan and more with RACQ Bank.

Banking and loan products issued by Members Banking Group Limited ABN 83 087 651 054 AFSL/Australian credit licence 241195 trading as RACQ Bank. Terms, conditions, fees, charges and lending policies apply. This is general advice only and may not be right for you. This information does not take your personal objectives, circumstances or needs into account. Read the disclosure documents for your selected product or service, including the Financial Services Guide and the Terms and Conditions, and consider if appropriate for you before deciding.

Featured image: Supplied.

Thanks to our partner RACQ Bank, proudly trusted by Queenslanders for their banking needs. Whether it's your new savings account, a home loan, or planning for your future, RACQ Bank is here with all the products you need and genuine support to help you feel confident about your money.