Start the Year Strong: A Simple Financial Checklist for 2026
The beginning of the year is a great time to reset your finances and make sure your plan still fits your life. You do not need to overhaul everything. A focused review can uncover quick wins, reduce stress, and help you make smarter decisions throughout the year.
Below is a straightforward checklist to guide you. If you want a more detailed framework and a one-page summary of key 2026 financial and tax numbers, I’ve linked both resources at the end of this post.
1) Start with a quick personal and planning check-in
Before getting into numbers, take two minutes to reflect on what changed and what matters most this year. New goals, career changes, family needs, health events, or major upcoming decisions can all shift how your plan should be structured.
A simple question to ask is:
“What does success look like for me financially this year?”
2) Revisit cash flow and savings
Your day-to-day system is the foundation for everything else. Early in the year is the perfect time to:
review last year’s spending patterns
confirm your savings plan is realistic and aligned with your goals
rebuild your emergency fund if needed
plan for known expenses (travel, home projects, tuition, taxes)
If you get this part right, everything else becomes easier.
3) Update retirement and benefit contributions
January is often the cleanest time to make sure your contributions are on track. Consider reviewing:
workplace retirement plan contributions (401(k), 403(b), 457)
IRA contributions
HSA contributions (if eligible)
FSA elections (health and dependent care)
Even small adjustments here can have a meaningful impact over time.
4) Review your investment plan, not just performance
Markets will do what they do. What matters is whether your portfolio still matches your goals, timeline, and risk tolerance.
This is a good time to:
check your asset allocation
rebalance if needed
review your strategy for taxable vs. retirement accounts
confirm that your investments still match what you are trying to accomplish
5) Get proactive about taxes
Most tax opportunities happen before tax filing season, not during it. Early-year tax planning can include:
reviewing last year’s tax situation and what may change
adjusting withholding or estimated payments
planning capital gain/loss strategies
considering whether Roth conversions might make sense
6) Do the “quiet” planning: insurance and estate planning
These are often ignored until something forces attention. A start-of-year review is a great time to:
review life, disability, and property coverage
revisit estate documents and beneficiary designations
confirm accounts and policies align with your intended plan
Two helpful resources (free downloads)
If you want a more structured version of this checklist and a one-page snapshot of key limits and thresholds for 2026, here are two resources you can use:
A simple next step
If you are not sure where to start, choose three areas that will have the biggest impact for you this year. For most households, that is cash flow, retirement contributions, and tax planning.
If you would like help turning this checklist into a clear plan for your specific situation, feel free to reach out.
The information contained herein is intended to be used for educational purposes only and is not exhaustive. Diversification and/or any strategy that may be discussed does not guarantee against investment losses but are intended to help manage risk and return. If applicable, historical discussions and/or opinions are not predictive of future events. The content is presented in good faith and has been drawn from sources believed to be reliable. The content is not intended to be legal, tax or financial advice. Please consult a legal, tax or financial professional for information specific to your individual situation.
This content not reviewed by FINRA
