Ditch the bingo card, TikTok has a cuter goal hack for 2026

If you’re still using oversized goal bingo cards, TikTok says you’re behind the trend. As highlighted by Daily Dot, creators are declaring 2026 the year of the punch card, a smaller, more tactile way to track New Year’s resolutions. The format is being embraced as a simpler and more engaging alternative to last year’s sprawling goal charts.

The concept borrows from old-school loyalty punch cards used at coffee shops and sandwich counters. Instead of earning a free drink, users punch a hole each time they complete a personal milestone. The physical interaction turns abstract goals into something visible and satisfying.

TikTok creators say the appeal comes from how achievable the system feels. Punch cards make progress easy to see, helping resolutions feel less overwhelming and more like a game with clear rewards, similar to how the platform often turns everyday moments into viral talking points.

Turning progress into something you can actually see

Getting started requires little more than index cards, markers, and a hole punch. Users create individual cards for goals like paying down debt, going to the gym consistently, or spending more time outside. Each punch represents progress, creating a simple visual record that updates with every completed task, which helps explain why so many everyday situations end up going viral on the platform, from goal-setting trends to moments like the Chicago airport restaurant dispute that exploded on TikTok.

Creators emphasize that rewards are a major part of the appeal. Many write incentives directly onto their cards, promising themselves a favorite coffee or small treat after reaching a set number of punches. This kind of built-in motivation mirrors the way TikTok users rally around shared experiences, including viral reactions like mocking wealthy tourists stranded in St. Barths during a crisis.

Customization is another reason the trend has taken off. Users decide how many punches a goal requires, whether each punch represents one activity, a full month of consistency, or a dollar amount toward a financial target. The structure adapts easily to different types of goals.

One creator, Christine, shared how she uses separate cards for monthly gym visits, car loan payments, and trying new recipes. Others have added drawings, borders, or themed designs to make the cards more visually engaging, though simple designs work just as well.

Making the cards is intentionally quick and uncomplicated. After choosing attainable goals, users label their cards, draw punch spots, and add rewards if desired. The cards can be tied together with ribbon, twine, or a key ring for easy storage.

Because they’re compact, punch cards are easy to carry. Users can mark progress immediately after finishing a workout or making a payment instead of waiting to log it later.