New research from ING has revealed many Aussies have decided to cut back on social drinking in 2026 to focus on other priorities.

To better manage their budgets, many Australians are making conscious lifestyle adjustments, with roughly three in ten saying they plan to cut back on:

1. Takeaway food and coffee (32%)
2. Dining out at restaurants and cafés (31%)
3. Social drinking (27%)

They have also entered the year with a sense of financial reflection, as one in three Aussies (33%) admit they feel guilty about how much they spent in 2025.

The feeling is strongest among younger Aussies, with 45% of Gen Z adults and 42% of Millennials saying they felt guilty about their 2025 spending habits.

What’s ‘in’ for 2026?

Aussies are leaning into values‑driven trends, with the top “ins” for 2026 including:

1. Investing in their health (39%)
2. Choosing experiences over material items (27%)
3. Embracing ‘quiet luxury’ (25%), reflecting a shift toward high quality, statement clothing pieces – and rejecting fast fashion

ING Head of Consumer and Market Insights Matt Bowen said: “Our latest research shows Aussies are heading into 2026 with a more intentional mindset – cutting back on excess, investing in their wellbeing and prioritising what truly matters. It’s less about purchases and consumption driven by social pressure, and more about conscious money decisions so that we can enjoy every dollar a little more.

“The ambition to build an emergency fund for life’s unexpected has been an emerging savings goal over the past few years and the fact it is now the nations #1 savings goal reflects a mindset shift to minimise the impact of unexpected events on our budget and lifestyle. Recent weather events across NSW, VIC and QLD have reminded many Australians that unexpected challenges can pop up at any time, and with household budgets still under pressure, it’s smart to keep some savings aside for life’s inevitable curveballs.

“Aussies are also getting smarter about the small stuff: trimming back takeaway, dinners out and social drinks, and calling time on subscription creep – the sneaky price increases and often for services we no longer use.”

Cafes and restaurants doing it tough

Australian Restaurant & Cafe Association (ARCA) CEO Wes Lambert told news.com.au that rising costs meant consumers were choosing to pay their mortgages and their bills rather than dining out.

Lambert said restaurants and cafes were “struggling”, while pubs, hotels and bars were doing “okay”.

Venues in those categories are averaging profit margins of between 6-15%, compared to 2.8% for restaurants and 2.6% for cafes.

“I think ultimately it’s more a cost shift to price signalling, so it’s easy to say that Australians are drinking less or doing this less, but when the price of something post pre-Covid until now is up 50% that’s going to change behaviours,” Lambert said.

“Ultimately, you need to continue to frequent your local restaurants and cafes, and if everyone does that, then we will save as many restaurants and cafes in 2026 as possible.”