💰4 Money Moves to Make Before 2026

I don’t know about you, but now that I’m in my late 30’s, I’ve stopped making New Years resolutions.

I’m tired of feeling bad about myself when I quit that new workout routine or diet plan by January 16th.

So instead I employ a different strategy. One that starts at the end of each year.

And when it comes to personal finances, there are 4 things I check/do in December that allow me to forego the dreaded resolutions in January. And help me end each year closer to my ultimate financial goal of retiring by age 45.

Let’s dive in…

If you have a workplace retirement plan like a 401(k), 403(b) you have until December 31 to boost your contributions for 2025.

Have an IRA instead?

Good news: you have until April 15, 2026, to max out your 2025 contributions, giving you a bit more breathing room.

The 2025 annual combined limit between all tax-advantaged retirement accounts is $23,500.

Every dollar you contribute reduces your taxable income while growing tax-deferred, or in the case of Roth accounts — tax-free.

Why this matters:

Even if you can't hit the max, increasing your contribution by just 1-2% can make a BIG difference over time thanks to the power of compounding.

If your employer offers matching contributions, prioritize contributing at least enough to capture the full match—it's literally free money.

Action step: Log into your retirement account this week and review your contribution rate. If you can afford it, bump it up before year-end.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act introduced some significant tax changes that actually took effect late this year.

And unless you’re a CPA (which I’m not), tax law can feel like reading Greek!

But there are two provisions I want to point out that could directly impact your money in 2026.

For seniors (65+):

An expanded standard deduction (a fixed dollar amount that taxpayers can subtract from their adjusted gross income (AGI) to reduce the amount of income subject to federal tax) allows eligible individuals to deduct an additional $6,000 on top of the regular standard deduction through 2028.

This benefit phases out for those earning above $75,000 annually, but if you qualify, it's an automatic boost—no extra paperwork required.

Here’s a chart of the 2025 and 2026 IRS Standard Deductions depending on how you file your taxes. The expanded standard deduction for seniors would be on top of these numbers:

For itemizers:

The state and local tax (SALT) deduction cap increased from $10,000 to $40,000 through 2030.

However, with the standard deduction also rising, most everyday investors will likely benefit more from taking the standard deduction rather than itemizing.

Action step: Review your adjusted gross income and consult with a tax professional if you think these changes might affect you. Even a basic understanding can help you plan better.

If you contribute to a Flexible Spending Account (FSA), remember that these accounts typically operate on a "use-it-or-lose-it" basis.

Money left unspent at the end of your plan year (often December 31) doesn't roll over—unless your employer offers a grace period or limited rollover option.

FSA funds can be used for a wide range of medical expenses beyond just doctor visits, including:

Did you know Amazon even has an entire FSA and HSA-eligible storefront?

Action step: Check your FSA balance now and stock up on eligible items you'll need anyway. Pro Tip: my FSA even allows you to deduct personal massages!💆‍♀️

When was the last time you actually looked at your investment accounts?

The end of the year is the perfect time to review your portfolio's performance and ensure your asset allocation still matches your goals and risk tolerance.

Market movements throughout the year can shift your carefully planned 40/30/30 foundational ETF-value ETF-growth ETF ratio we talked about in last week’s newsletter, into something more like 70/20/10 — potentially exposing you to more risk than you’re comfortable with.

Action step: Set aside 30-45 minutes to review your investment accounts.

Ask yourself:

Many robo-advisors and investment platforms offer automatic rebalancing, but I think it's worth checking manually to stay on top of your financial progress and to understand what your portfolio is really doing for you.

Financial success doesn't require complex strategies or perfect timing—it's built on consistent, intentional actions.

These four end-of-year items won't suddenly give you Warren Buffett’s bank account, but they'll position you to start 2026 with clarity, confidence, and momentum.

The best part?

You can tackle most of these in a single afternoon. Your future self will thank you!

What financial move are you prioritizing before year-end?

Hit reply and let me know—I read every response.

Your friend,

Charlie | Your Wealth Hype Girl

This article provides educational information about investment strategies, not personalized financial advice. Consult with qualified financial professionals before making investment decisions. Charlie Dice and OJD LLC are not responsible for any investment gains or losses as a result of following advice given here.