Tip of the Month | December 2025

Year-End Financial Planning Reminders

Written By: Brian Ellenbecker, CFP®, EA, CPWA®, CIMA®, CLTC®

As we wrap up the year, it’s a great moment to revisit your financial plan and give with purpose. Consider these simple, impactful moves:

Review your investment accounts: If asset values have shifted, this may be a good time to rebalance, helping stay aligned with your long-term goals.

Take advantage of tax-efficient charitable giving: Donating appreciated stock or using a qualified charitable distribution (if eligible) can help you support causes you care about, while potentially reducing tax impact. Review recent changes to charitable giving deduction rules for 2026 to ensure you maximize the tax benefit.

Check beneficiary and estate-planning designations: Make sure they reflect your current wishes. It’s easy for these to be overlooked after life changes.

Confirm retirement and savings contributions are optimized: Make sure you’ve taken full advantage of opportunities for retirement account or HSA/IRA contributions for the year.

A thoughtful year-end review, paired with intentional giving, can set you up for a financially sound and purpose-driven new year.