If investing is part of your 2026 New Year’s resolution, a simple plan can help. This article covers three steps many investors consider. All investing involves risk, including loss of principal.

Step 1: Define Your Goals

Before you invest, it helps to know what you want to achieve. Many people use the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example, instead of "I want to save more money," a SMART goal might be "I want to save $5,000 for a down payment by December 31, 2026." This amount is an example only. A clear goal makes it easier to track your progress.

Step 2: Understand Your Risk Tolerance

Risk tolerance is your ability and willingness to withstand losses in your investments. Are you comfortable with short-term ups and downs in exchange for the possibility of higher returns, or do you prefer a more conservative approach? Your time horizon can matter too, since money you need soon may not be suitable for more volatile investments. Higher potential returns come with higher risk, and you can lose some or all of your investment.

Alinea’s onboarding questionnaire asks about your risk tolerance. Based on a calculation, Alinea assigns you one of four risk-based model portfolios of ETFs. These portfolios are the same for every investor at a given risk level and are not tailored to you individually. A robo-adviser’s assignment is limited by the information you give it, so keep your answers accurate [1].

Step 3: Consider Automating

Some investors set up recurring investments so they keep contributing without making each transaction by hand. On Alinea, you can choose an amount and a schedule, including for individual stocks. This approach is known as dollar cost averaging: you invest a fixed amount at regular intervals regardless of price. It can reduce the effect of trying to time the market, but it does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.

For Alinea’s model portfolios, Alinea rebalances monthly to keep your holdings aligned with the portfolio’s target weights.

Alinea’s Features

Alinea Invest, Inc. offers a mobile investing app. Investment advisory services are provided by Alinea Advisory Services LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alinea Invest, Inc. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

• Model portfolios. Alinea asks about your risk tolerance and assigns you one of four risk-based model portfolios of ETFs by algorithm. Alinea rebalances it monthly. The portfolios are the same for every investor at a given risk level.
• Investing Playlists. Playlists are collections of stocks and ETFs organized around themes or interests. Some Playlists have their weights set by AI on a schedule, with no human review of the changes, and themed portfolios may be less diversified and more volatile.
• Recurring investing. You can set a fixed amount to invest on a schedule, including into individual stocks, an approach known as dollar cost averaging. It does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets.
• Allie. Allie, Alinea’s AI assistant, is available in the Alinea app. It can explain your holdings, market news, and financial terms in plain language. At your request, Allie can also start a deposit, withdrawal, buy, or sell, and you confirm every transaction before it runs. Allie provides educational research and feedback only, does not provide investment advice or recommendations, and can make mistakes.

Brokerage accounts are held at DriveWealth LLC, member FINRA/SIPC, which is not affiliated with Alinea. SIPC protects securities customers of its members up to $500,000 (including $250,000 for claims for cash) if the brokerage firm fails financially. It does not protect against a decline in the market value of your securities [2]. Bank accounts are linked through Plaid, Inc., a third party not affiliated with Alinea, and we do not store your online banking credentials. SSL and 256-bit encryption help protect your data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a 2026 New Year’s resolution for investing?

It is a goal you set for the year, such as investing regularly or reaching a specific savings amount, and a plan for pursuing it.

How do I define my investment goals?

Consider what you want to achieve, such as saving for retirement, buying a home, or paying off debt, and use a framework like SMART to make the goal clear and trackable.

What should I consider when assessing my risk tolerance?

Consider your ability and willingness to withstand losses, and how soon you may need the money. Alinea’s questionnaire asks about your risk tolerance and assigns one of four risk-based model portfolios.

How long does it take to see results with automated investing?

There is no set timeline. Results depend on market conditions and the investments you hold, and they are not guaranteed.

How do I set up recurring investing on Alinea?

Choose an amount and a schedule in the Alinea app. Recurring investing does not assure a profit or protect against loss.

Disclosure

Advisory services are provided by Alinea Advisory Services LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser and a wholly owned subsidiary of Alinea Invest, Inc. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Brokerage and custody services are provided by DriveWealth LLC, an unaffiliated registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA/SIPC.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer, solicitation, or recommendation to buy or sell any security. All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Allie is educational only, does not provide investment advice, and can make mistakes. Some Playlists have their weights set by AI on a schedule, with no human review of the changes, and can be wrong. Alinea oversees the algorithm and monitors it for anomalies. Themed portfolios may be less diversified and more volatile. Alinea is not affiliated with the sources listed below, and their inclusion is not an endorsement. Alinea charges a subscription fee for its advisory services; see Item 5 of Form ADV Part 2A. Alinea’s support team handles questions about using the service only and does not provide investment advice.

See our Form ADV Part 2A, Wrap Program Brochure, and Form CRS at www.alinea-invest.com/legal/home. For more on Allie, see AI Allie – Disclosures & Terms of Use at www.alinea-invest.com/legal/ai-allie-disclosures-terms-of-use.

Sources

[1] U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Office of Investor Education and Advocacy, Investor Bulletin: Robo-Advisers, February 23, 2017 (investor.gov).

[2] Securities Investor Protection Corporation (SIPC), What SIPC Protects (sipc.org).

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