9 Things to do Before the New Year

If you’re reading this, welcome!

I’m kicking off my very first blog right before the new year, and that timing is intentional. Think of it as our first move in setting the tone for 2026. A blueprint for stepping into the year with clarity, intention, and strategy because the honest truth is nothing magical happens on January 1st.

A new year doesn’t rewrite habits. Midnight doesn’t erase old spending patterns. And that “new year, new me” energy? Yeah… it fades by the second week if there’s no structure behind it.

But here’s the thing, the people who win financially don’t wait for the new year to turn things around, they start planning beforehand, so they walk into January with clarity, not chaos. With intention, not just vibes. And with a plan that honors the version of themselves they’re becoming.

So, before we step into 2026 here are 9 actionable things you need to do if you are serious about leveling up financially.

1. Do a Financial Audit (Yes… receipts and all)

Get brutally honest about where you stand. What came in this year? What went out? And why?

Break everything down:

• Savings

• Investments

• Bills

• Lifestyle spending

• Those “I deserved it” purchases (no judgment we’ve all been there)

Clarity creates mastery. When the numbers are no longer a mystery, that’s when you’ll start to see real progress.

2. Pick ONE Financial Priority for the Year

Not five. Not eight. Not “fix my whole financial life in three months.”

Just one.

Choose the priority that would create the biggest shift if it improved.

That could be:

• Paying down high-interest debt

• Building an emergency fund

• Saving for a major purchase

One priority. One direction. One win that compounds into more.

3. Automate that Priority so it Doesn’t Rely on Motivation

Discipline is cute but automation is undefeated.

Whatever your main goal is, automate it:

• Scheduled debt payments

• Automatic savings transfers

• Automated investing

Motivation fades. Automation doesn’t.

4. Review Your Credit Score & Report (And Actually Read It)

A score tells you where you stand. A report tells you why.

You can pull your full credit report from all three credit bureaus for free at annualcreditreport.com 

Look closely for:

• Errors or inaccuracies

• High utilization that could be pulling your score down

• Opportunities to negotiate or update information

Your credit is a financial passport so keep it valid.

5. Write Your Goals in Detail & Build a Spending Plan That Supports Them

A spending plan isn’t just a budget; it’s the blueprint that aligns your money with your vision.

Start by getting specific with your goals:

• What do you want?

• Why does it matter?

• When do you want it?

• How will you make it happen?

Then map out a plan that actually supports that vision:

• Identifying what your essential expenses are.

• Planning your wealth-building contributions such as saving, investing, and planning for retirement.

• Allocating lifestyle spending accordingly. So, the funding is in place. Giving you the freedom to enjoy life and still say yes to spontaneous trips without derailing you from your goals.

• Creating annual or quarterly targets to track progress.

• Establishing clear boundaries to protect your peace.

When the goal is clear, the path becomes visible. And when the path is visible, accountability becomes natural. And the spending plan simply turns that clarity into action.

6. Upgrade Your Earning Power

Your income grows when your skill set does.

This could be:

• Earning a new certification.

• Learning a high-demand software or technical skill.

• Leveraging existing expertise to create a side income stream.

Whatever direction you choose, the objective is the same: position yourself to increase your income year over year. Even identifying and planning this move before the end of the year puts you ahead of the version of you who wouldn’t.

7. Review Your Protection Strategy

This is the step most people skip.

Audit your protection:

• Have you reviewed your life/disability coverage?

• Do you have adequate coverage?

• Have you updated your beneficiaries?

• Does your coverage align with your current income and goals?

Earning money is one thing, protecting it is another.

8. Do a Quick Tax Strategy Check-In

Year-end is prime time to save future money.

Consider:

• Delaying your income into January and accelerating your deductible expenses into December.

• Harvesting losses from your investments. If you’re in the negative, those losses can offset gains. It’s the one time taking an L turns into a W.

• Maximizing your retirement contributions.

• Making a charitable donation. Instead of donating small amounts throughout the year, bunch contributions into one year to cross the itemization threshold. Impact + strategy.

• A ROTH conversion. If your income is lower this year, moving your pre-tax dollars to a ROTH IRA just might be your smartest move yet.

A little planning now can keep more in your pockets later. Definitely meet with a tax advisor to determine which of these strategies make sense for your specific situation and how to implement them properly.

9. Address High Interest Debt Strategically

Lender's love rolling out those 0% APR balance transfer offers right about now (basically the Black Friday of debt strategy).

But before moving anything, compare the pros and cons:

• How long is the promo period?

• Are there transfer fees?

• What’s the rate after the intro period?

The goal isn’t just to pay debt, it’s to position it in a way that stops draining your future wealth.

Final Thoughts

2026 is around the corner, and you deserve to walk into it aligned, clear, and financially confident. This is your moment to prepare not panic. To strategize not scramble. To build not hope. Because wealth doesn’t arrive with the new year. It arrives with a new strategy.