Struggling to meet your savings goals? Cary Knudson, wealth management advisor from Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS), says, “When you come up with a [financial savings] plan, the plan is going to work.” Follow these three expert tips from FBFS to kickstart your money saving plan for 2026.

Identify your expenses

Whether you are looking back at the previous week, month or year, analyzing your spending today can give you an idea of how much you can start saving tomorrow. Knudson recommends separating expenses into categories of “fixed” and “variables.” Fixed spending can include groceries, mortgage payments or utility bills, while variables can range from $5 morning coffees to clothing or monthly subscriptions. From your “variables,” cut down spending on things you don’t need. 

Save with a purpose 

It is important that the money you save is working for you, and Knudson says setting up specific goals makes a savings plan more attainable. It’s also helpful to keep your savings separate from your spending money. Knudson suggests starting with an emergency fund to make sure you have a cushion for unexpected expenses. 

Revisit, revise and repeat

Your savings plan might not always be consistent. Tailor your savings plan to what will work best for you. “You have to be flexible, because things are going to happen,” Knudson says. “The refrigerator goes out, or it’s the AC or your car.” There will be days when you spend more money than usual. It is important to return to that first step of looking back on your week and adjusting how much you can save. If you can only put away $50 a month, keep doing so until you can add more, says Knudson. 

Working with a financial advisor can help you navigate where and how to allocate and invest money for other long- and short-term savings goals. To learn more about working with a FBFS advisor, email cary.knudson@fbfs.com or visit fbfs.com. 

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