New Year’s Resolutions. Some love them, some hate them, but no matter your stance, it’s safe to say that every year they’re difficult to keep. They’re often a thematic way of building better habits—and those can feel impossible to build. That’s why we’ve pulled together some powerful tips for keeping you on track for the new year, while saving you time and money.
What does ZIPS Car Wash know about good habits? They’re easier to build on autopilot. We learned this watching folks use our unlimited car wash membership to maintain clean rides nearly effortlessly. In fact, we’ve never seen such low effort deliver such success. But how can you win in the new year in more than just a clean and shiny car?
Conquer Fitness Goals
Sometimes it’s okay to take the easiest possible path to success—think of it as being efficient!
More than in most areas, efficiency can help with New Year’s resolutions involving fitness. Experts advise working your exercise into normal activities. For example:
Get more steps in by parking in the back of the grocery store lot
Do 10 squats when loading the dryer
Start your day off with a plank before rolling out of bed in the morning
Take the scenic route on your daily dog walks—great for both you and your pup!
Instead of lounging on the couch during your favorite show, try doing some light stretches or yoga to relax your mind and body!
Financial Tips for 2026
More than most years, financial goals and resolutions are top of mind for families and individuals alike heading into this year. For good reason! As wonderful as the holidays are, they can bring more financial strain than other parts of the year, making January the perfect time for a fresh start.
Although this one is a biggie, remember you can handle any goal. Tiny steps can have a major impact if you commit to them daily. Here are a few ideas if you’re not sure where to start saving:
Set up automatic transfers into a savings account (efficiency strikes again!)
Skip the long coffee shop line and opt to brew your own at home
Make the most of meal prep to save time & money on every meal
Shop generic brand alternatives to your daily household products
Visit secondhand and thrift stores for specific clothing pieces as needed (added bonus: this makes shopping feel like a practical, modern treasure hunt!)
Subscribing to Success
For the biggest of the biggies, maximize your savings on subscriptions by actually using them and getting rid of the rest. You can share logins for streaming services, but when it comes to maintaining a healthy body, mind, and ride, that’s where subscriptions can shine—if you commit to making them habits!
Bodily Well-Being
Gym memberships work wonderfully... if you’re actually making the trip to the gym.
Try out plans with a specific number of classes per month and plan ahead, making those classes priorities! Avoid setting up automatic payments until you’ve figured out a routine that works for you and your schedule.
To help make (and keep) a new habit, consider trying out a gym that teaches you a new, specific skill—think a yoga studio, boxing gym, or karate class to help put your mind and body to work (simultaneously making the workout more enjoyable!)
Mind Games, Not Wallet Pains
Subscriptions like the New York Times Games app provide some top-notch puzzles, but they can come with a high price tag. To maximize your investment (financially and mentally), decide on a time that works best for you to try training your brain daily.
Replace social media scrolling when you first wake up, on your lunch break, or before bed with brain games of your choice! And if the subscription model just doesn’t work for you, consider playing a free crossword online, or buying a book of sudoku and working your brain out that way instead.
Avoid Costly Repairs
Just like working out helps your body stay healthy, regular vehicle maintenance helps you avoid higher repair costs down the road. Make sure you’re changing your oil regularly and paying attention to the warning lights on your dash.
To further protect your ride inside and out, make sure you’re taking regular care of your ride by keeping it clean before it gets filthy. The easiest, most cost-efficient way to do this is to join ZIPS Unlimited® and stop by for a cleaning at least once a week. It’s easy to work us into your weekly grocery run, or stop by after that weekly workout class!
Remember, you should make your subscriptions work for you—calculate your savings into tangible numbers and save your subscriptions for what matters most to you. Then take advantage of all they have to offer, both financially and in how they make you feel.
After all, there’s something special about the feeling of a job well done at the gym, finally completing that Sunday crossword, or driving a freshly cleaned ride.
Good luck with whatever your New Year’s resolution list entails. They can be difficult, but not if you find ways to make them easy, natural, and automatic! Conquer your resolutions in 2026 and beat the odds by keeping them the entire year through!