Small Business Week: Be the CEO of Your Home – Spring “Financial” Cleaning – Bank of America

National Small Business Week (May 3–9)

Spring cleaning isn’t just for clearing out closets. It’s also for resetting everyday habits that could be holding you back, including your financial habits.

A recent Bank of America survey found that 52% of Americans are prioritizing their financial health this year, with nearly 9 in 10 (89%) Americans having set financial resolutions.

Rictania Nogueras, of Bank of America, offers practical “spring cleaning” finance tips for Gen Z, everyday consumers, and parents looking to set a strong example for their children.

With May having National Small Business Week (May 3–9), 529 Day on May 29 (promoting college savings), there are timely hooks throughout the month to keep financial wellness conversations fresh and relevant.

National Small Business Week 2026 runs from May 3-9, celebrated by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to honor the contributions of entrepreneurs.

National 529 Day, celebrated on May 29, promotes saving for future education costs using tax-advantaged 529 plans. It highlights the benefits of these plans, which offer tax-free growth and withdrawals for tuition, trade school, and related expenses. It is an ideal time to open new accounts, increase contributions, or review savings goals.

Financial Spring Cleaning Tips:

• Find and stop your subscription leakage: Hidden charges often sneak into your bank statements. Taking a quick audit of your subscriptions and recurring charges can immediately free up some extra cash. Tools like Erica, Bank of America’s AI-driven virtual financial assistant, can help you save money by alerting you to unwanted subscription charges and flagging any recurring charges.

• Build a ‘summer bucket’ when budgeting: Don’t let warm-weather expenses like travel, concerts and outdoor dining catch you by surprise. You can start setting a little money aside now with the 50/30/20 rule: put 50% of your income to needs, 30% to wants, and 20% to your savings. From there, consider carving out a little extra from your “wants” bucket each month to put toward summer fun.

• Shop at value grocery stores: One of the easiest ways to trim your budget without overhauling your lifestyle or sacrificing summer fun is to change where you shop. Swapping your usual grocery store for a value grocer or wholesale club can really cut down your bill.

• Cut costs at the pump this spring: Warmer weather means more travel, but gas doesn’t have to break the bank. When you can, swap the car for walking, biking or public transit to help keep fuel costs low. Going somewhere with friends? Carpooling and splitting gas costs is one of the easiest ways to cut costs without cutting any fun.

• Refresh your digital financial security: While you’re tidying up your spending, make sure your digital financial accounts have up-to-date passwords, two-factor authentication and real-time alerts turned on. Think of it like locking the door before you leave for vacation. For a one-stop review, visit the Bank of America Security Center, where you can access security tools, get the latest fraud and scam tips, and check your account protection level at a glance.

• Fine-tune your investment strategy: This is the perfect time to double-click on your portfolio, review your long-term goals and proactively consider any adjustments to your saving, spending or investing strategies. If you’re unsure how to get started, schedule time with a financial solutions advisor. They can offer personalized advice, along with access to tools and guidance to help you make confident investing decisions right when you need them.

Rictania Nogueras is the Market Leader for Bank of America’s Providence, RI South Market, overseeing 105 associates across 14 financial centers. A CCRI alumna, she began her Bank of America career in 2007 as a Customer Service Representative and rose through the ranks over 15 years to earn her Market Leader appointment in 2021. Rictania is passionate about empowering communities and developing future leaders, and serves as Co-Chair of HOLA, Bank of America’s Hispanic/Latino Employee Network. Her leadership is rooted in a people-first approach and a firsthand understanding of what financial confidence can mean for individuals, families, and the communities they call home.