Americans are optimistic about their financial future and feel hopeful for the beginning of a new decade. But, many Americans who admit they have bitten off more than they can chew in 2019 will make it a priority to reduce personal debt.

Fidelity Investments 2020 New Year Financial Resolutions Study revealed that 82% of respondents reported being in a similar or worse financial position to last year. Surprisingly, most people credit their success to their good habits, such as saving more (47%), budgeting (29%), and not investing (18%) in a stock market that has made highs after highs. It was less than 25% who attributed it to being able to work longer hours in a strong economic environment.

They want to maintain momentum, as the study shows.

The 67 percent of those who are considering a financial resolution are 67 percent. “saving more” “paying down debt”With 53 percent and 51 per cent respectively, they topped the list.

“Living a debt-free life was the biggest motivator for them,”Melissa Ridolfi (Fidelity vice president for retirement and college product)

The reality is that when faced with the option of losing five pounds, or saving $5,000, 84 percent of the 3,012 adults polled opted to save.

You want to learn about the most embarrassing and costly mistakes they made? These are some of the most common mistakes and setbacks.

* Dining out too much (36 percent).

* Spending too much on non-essentials like unused apps, streaming media services, and subscription retail boxes (29 percent).

* Taking on debt or adding to existing debt (28 percent).

*Splurging on something they couldn’t really afford (28 percent).

* Unexpected medical expenses (24 percent).

* Failing to save as much for retirement as they should (18 percent).

So, with all the interest there is in getting rid debt, who seems the most successful?

According to the study, Boomers are financially better off than their counterparts in credit at year-end due to having refinanced or paid off or reduced debts. The next oldest generation, Generation X, was at 21 percent. 19% of millennials followed, while just 6 percent of Generation Z were at 6.

“Boomers are getting the message that the closer they get to retirement, the more essential it becomes to get their debt under control to make the most out of retirement savings,” Ridolfi said.

There is no law that requires you to make a New Years resolution, financial or otherwise, but many of the people surveyed said that they had plans for building emergency funds. What might you call the “traditionalists”Is there anything else? Some tried-and-true methods are available at Fidelity tipsThis can help you ensure that your financial vows don’t end up among the 80 percent that U.S. News reports, alas!, fail by February 2.

You can also access the company’s impressive online “free” website.MomentsThis tool is designed to help you plan and react to unexpected life events, such as the unexpected medical costs cited in the study. You can also access the Fidelity Retirement ScoreIt will give you an overview of your savings.

And here’s another thing: Seventy-eight% of respondents predicted that they would be financially better off in 2020.