As the holiday season arrives, life tends to get wonderfully full – celebrations, travel, family traditions, and moments of reflection. It’s also the perfect time to pause and check in with your financial picture before stepping into the new year. A thoughtful year-end review gives you space to acknowledge what worked, observe what changed, and identify where you may want to adjust your path going into 2026.

This process doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. In fact, it can be grounding and empowering, especially when approached with curiosity rather than pressure. With a little organization and intentionality, you can give yourself a strong starting point for your financial goals in 2026.

1. Start with a Clear Look at the Past Year

Before shifting your focus forward, take time to revisit everything that shaped your financial life this year. Did you experience a major life transition? Did your saving or spending patterns shift? Did unexpected opportunities or challenges pop up?

A year-end review is a friendly reminder that financial planning is dynamic. The goal isn’t to judge what you “should” have done, it’s to understand what happened so you can make thoughtful decisions for the future.

Consider checking:

• Changes in income or household expenses
• Progress toward savings, retirement, or investment goals
• Large one-time expenses such as home projects, travel, or medical costs
• Shifts in priorities or upcoming life events

Noticing these patterns helps set the foundation for shaping your financial goals in 2026.

SEE ALSO: Smart Strategies to Consider for Building Wealth Over Time

2. Revisit Your Current Savings and Spending Strategy

Your spending and saving rhythms may look different now than they did a year ago. Reviewing them with fresh eyes can reveal helpful insights as you prepare for 2026.

Start by pulling together a simple overview, nothing fancy needed. Look at what you allocated toward short-term needs, long-term goals, and meaningful experiences. Think about what felt aligned and what felt stressful. These reflections can guide changes for the year ahead, whether that means adjusting spending categories, updating recurring contributions, or simply creating stronger awareness of what supports your priorities.

3. Evaluate Your Investment Approach Through a Long-Term Lens

While short-term market shifts can feel distracting, year-end is a valuable moment to assess whether your overall investment approach continues to match your goals, risk comfort, and time horizon. This is especially relevant if you experienced major life changes, like a job transition, relocation, or new financial responsibility.

Your long-term strategy can evolve over time, and reviewing it annually helps you stay intentional about how your investments support your future. This doesn’t require dramatic changes because even small adjustments (when thoughtfully considered) can help your plan remain aligned with your broader picture.

4. Organize Tax-Related Items Before the New Year Begins

Year-end often brings opportunities to prepare for tax season in advance. You may want to gather records for charitable contributions, review retirement account contributions, or check whether any year-end actions could support your larger goals. Staying organized now can help reduce stress once tax season arrives, giving you more time to focus on the new year ahead.

SEE ALSO: Creating Your Retirement Bucket List: Financially Preparing for Your Dream Life

5. Set Meaningful and Realistic Financial Goals for 2026

Once you’ve reflected on where you’ve been and assessed where you are, it becomes easier to shape where you’re going. Setting your financial goals for 2026 should feel encouraging, not intimidating.

Try breaking them into categories such as:

• Short-term goals: building an emergency buffer, planning travel, or adjusting your spending habits
• Mid-term goals: preparing for education costs, home updates, or funding a large purchase
• Long-term goals: retirement planning, investment strategy adjustments, or legacy aspirations

Remember, the goal isn’t perfection — it’s clarity, intention, and momentum.

6. Partner with a Financial Planner Who Helps You Move Forward with Confidence

A year-end review becomes even more meaningful when you have someone to help you evaluate your options, talk through decisions, and put everything into a plan that feels achievable. Working with a financial planner gives you a space to process change, explore your options, organize your next steps, and map out the year ahead with support.

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or simply ready for a fresh start, now is an ideal moment to reach out and begin shaping your path toward 2026 with guidance.

If you’d like support reviewing your year-end financial picture or shaping your financial goals for 2026, we are here to help you explore your options with clarity. Schedule a conversation today and step into the new year feeling organized and equipped for what comes next.