National economic trends, such as unstable employment, the threat to Social Security as we know it, and the widening gap between wealth and poverty are the basis for the development of Financial Fortitude, the current Economic Development program initiative of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Financial Fortitude is a process that will help program participants to set and define goals, develop a plan to achieve them, and to put the plan into action. The process serves as a blueprint to address all aspects of personal finances.

The Financial Fortitude initiative is comprised of ten components and provides a collaboration of information from major economic corporations and other well-known financial institutions. The ten components include: Goal Setting, Financial Planning, Budgeting, Debt Management, Savings & Investments, Retirement Planning, Homeownership, Insurance, Estate Planning, and Entrepreneurship.

The initiative helps members of the Sorority spread financial education throughout their local communities.

USING CREDIT CARD YEAR‑END STATEMENTS TO BUILD A SMARTER 2026 BUDGET

Credit card year‑end summaries offer one of the clearest snapshots of how you actually spent money over the past year, making them a powerful starting point for planning your 2026 budget. Major issuers like American Express, Chase, and others provide categorized annual reports that break down spending into areas such as travel, dining, groceries, and subscriptions. These summaries help you see patterns that monthly statements often hide, including seasonal spikes, recurring charges, and slow‑creeping expenses.

To build your 2026 budget, begin by downloading the year‑end summaries from each credit card that you used in 2025. American Express, for example, provides interactive charts and downloadable PDFs or Excel files that categorize your spending across the entire year. Chase offers similar tools, allowing you to view spending by merchant category and download a full year‑end summary. Reviewing these reports helps you identify where your money truly went, whether travel increased, grocery costs rose, or subscription services multiplied.

Next, sort your spending into major budget categories and flag one‑time or unusual expenses, so they don’t distort your 2026 plan. Bankrate notes that year‑end summaries are especially useful for auditing your finances because they reveal trends and habits you may overlook during the year. Use these insights to set realistic spending limits, choose categories where you want to cut back, and redirect savings toward goals like debt reduction or emergency funds.

By grounding your 2026 budget in real data rather than estimates, you create a plan that reflects your lifestyle, highlights opportunities for improvement, and increases your chances of staying on track throughout
the year.

Rossman, T. (2022, December 9). How to use your year-end credit card summary to audit your finances. Bankrate; Bankrate.com. https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/advice/year-end-credit-card-summaries/

The information provided in this newsletter is for general educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as financial, tax, or investment advice, and it should not be relied upon as a substitute for guidance from a qualified professional. Everyone’s financial situation is different, and strategies discussed here may not be appropriate for your individual circumstances. Before making decisions that could affect your finances, consider consulting with a licensed financial advisor, tax professional, or other qualified expert who can provide advice tailored to your specific needs and goals.