A spring clean not New Year’s resolution might be the best bet for your investing

At this time of year investors are frequently bombarded with messages about New Year’s resolutions for their money.  

This is often well-intentioned and useful advice but it would be understandable if some people responded with an internal groan and why on a broader basis adopted at this time of year resolutions often fail.

It’s dark, it’s cold, there’s an inevitable comedown after the heightened emotions around Christmas and New Year, that cough your cousin gave you as an unwelcome present might still be lingering.  

Added to this, people are often feeling hard up having splurged over the festive period as well as having been paid earlier in the month than they would normally in December and, for those for whom the 31 January tax return deadline is relevant, there is yet another distraction and potential hit to the pocket.

It’s also been a noisy start to 2026 for markets, so, all in all, these are hardly the ideal conditions to make any grand plans for your investing. For some, the idea of a fresh start at the beginning of a year is a powerful motivator but, if that’s not you, there is no reason to worry or beat yourself up.  

Successful investing is typically about small actions anyway. Continuing to invest regularly over the long term is what really benefits your wealth. If you’re already doing that, then that’s great and, if not, then it’s certainly worth considering making a start.

As discussed, consistency is what matters here, so it pays not to be overly ambitious. Start with a sum you’re confident you can commit to and you can always build it up over time as circumstances allow.  

As motivation, using AJ Bell’s Stocks and shares ISA calculator you can discover how even relatively modest monthly contributions could provide you with a meaningful sum of money in the long term.

Continuing to invest regularly over the long term is what really benefits your wealth.

If you put in £100 over 10 years then, assuming a 6% rate of return (which is relatively conservative based on historical stock market performance) you would have a pot worth £15,793, with £3,793 accounted for by investment returns. (Note this encompasses fees of 0.6%.)

An added benefit of regular investing is it can smooth out your returns when markets are volatile as your fixed monthly investment buys more when prices are lower and less when they’re higher.    

It’s not a case of setting up your direct debit and forgetting about your investments entirely. We do all need to take stock and make sure we’re on track with our goals and chosen asset allocation, probably at least once a year.  

However, maybe waiting to give your portfolio a spring clean in March when the days are a getting longer, the birds are singing and the flowers are blooming might be a better bet than attempting a similar exercise in the depths of winter.