The start-stop-continue framework: reset your finances for success in 2026

Never mind 2026, right now all the talk is about twenty-twenty-fix: repairing, resetting and regaining momentum after a difficult past year that saw heightened global volatility, a seemingly never-ending bad news cycle, and the cost-of-living crisis intensifying.

But while we can’t control the world around us, the one thing we do have control over is how we manage our money. And I like to begin the year by holding a Start-Stop-Continue with myself, to get me on track for the months that follow.

What is a Start-Stop-Continue? It’s a mini performance appraisal that is usually conducted in a workplace setting, which typically sees an employee sit with their line manager to determine where they are falling short (what they need to start doing), the areas in their performance that need attention (what they need to stop doing), and where their strengths lie (what they can continue doing). In my case, a Start-Stop-Continue might look like, “Salem, you need to start learning how to make prettier PowerPoint decks; you need to stop working after hours or you’ll risk burnout; and you should continue buying the team coffee when you head on down to Seattle.”

You get the idea.

But there’s more than one use for this framework, and this simple but powerful approach can be applied to money, as both a tool and “reset” that will allow you to move closer to your financial goals.

While a Start-Stop-Continue will look different for everyone depending on your personal circumstances and financial goals, I challenge you to spend 30 minutes drawing one up for yourself, which will set you up for a good year ahead.

To assist you in getting started, here is a Start-Stop-Continue that I believe will help everyone, regardless of where you are in your life.

START:

Start by drawing up a financial plan, not a complicated spreadsheet, but a clear picture of where your money goes and what it needs to protect. This means putting the basics in place early: risk cover such as income protection and disability cover (because your ability to earn is your most valuable asset), an emergency fund for life’s inevitable curveballs, and some form of retirement savings. If you’re in your twenties, this may feel premature, but time is actually your biggest advantage, and if you start early, you’ll soon realise the power of compound interest.

You should also start checking your credit score, which you can do for free via any of the credit bureaus, such as TransUnion, Experian, XDS, and Compuscan. It offers a snapshot of how credit providers see you, and it affects everything from car finance to rental applications. Aim for a score above 700, and treat it as an extension of your reputation; check it regularly and manage potential credit issues proactively, because it follows you long after the debit order bounces.

STOP:

Stop borrowing money to fund a lifestyle you can’t comfortably afford. High-interest debt – especially credit cards, store cards, or informal lenders like mashonisas – can quietly undo years of progress before your career has even gained momentum.

Heard of the buy-it-twice rule? If you couldn’t comfortably buy something twice without relying on credit or forfeiting your other financial obligations, don’t purchase it at all. Simple.

Also, stop putting financial planning off until “later”. Smart moves made early and applied consistently, such as choosing not to over-extend yourself, building buffers, and saying no to impulse spending, matter far more than dramatic fixes down the line.

CONTINUE:

Continue building your financial knowledge – and do this throughout your lifetime. Confidence with money doesn’t only come from earning more; it comes from understanding what you earn, what you owe, and what you keep. Programmes like Motheo Financial Dialogues, run by the Momentum Group, play an important role in equipping South Africans with practical tools to budget, read a payslip, manage debt, and make informed financial decisions early on.

Also, continue looking for ways to supplement your income, such as side hustles that build skills, diversify cash flow, and sometimes even grow into full-blown businesses.

And finally, always continue dreaming big. Financial discipline isn’t about limiting your ambitions; it’s about giving them a realistic foundation that will allow you to build and protect your financial dreams. And when your money starts to support your life’s goals instead of limiting them, the world opens up for you.

* Nyati is the consumer financial education specialist at Momentum Group.

PERSONAL FINANCE