January is more than just a new calendar page; it’s an opportunity to take control of your finances with fresh energy and a clear outlook. Whether your goals include building savings, getting organized for tax season, or improving your long-term planning, the start of the year is an ideal time to create habits that stick.
Why the Start of the Year Matters
The early months are a natural time to reset and review. You may have new income numbers, new contribution limits, or new goals altogether. Tackling key financial tasks now can reduce stress later and help you make the most of the months ahead.
Laying the Groundwork for a Strong Year
The beginning of the year offers a valuable opportunity to put proactive financial systems in places that support your daily life while contributing to longer-term goals. It’s not just about setting resolutions; it’s about laying practical foundations for success. Small, intentional steps can create momentum that grows over time.
Setting yourself up for financial success isn’t about drastic changes, it’s about creating consistent habits. Here are a few ideas to get started:
Review and Automate Contributions
If you contribute to retirement accounts, health savings accounts (HSAs), or education savings plans, now is a good time to check your contribution amounts. Are you on track to meet the maximum allowed for the year? Automating monthly contributions can help ensure you stay consistent without needing to think about it each time. Even small, regular contributions can add up significantly over time.
Organize Financial Documents
Tax documents will begin arriving over the next several weeks. Set up a digital or physical folder where you can collect 1099s, W-2s, and statements. Staying organized now can save you time and headaches when it comes time to file.
Revisit Your Budget and Goals
Did your income or expenses change recently? Have your priorities shifted? The start of the year is a good time to reflect on where your money is going and what matters most to you. Consider using a budgeting tool or app to track spending or reviewing your plan with an advisor to make sure your savings align with your goals.
Check in on Emergency Savings
Life happens, so make sure you have cash set aside in a liquid account to cover unexpected expenses like home repairs, medical bills, or temporary income loss. Building up 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses can provide valuable peace of mind.
Evaluate Insurance Coverage for Life’s ‘What Ifs’
Insurance is one of those topics that’s easy to overlook until it’s urgently needed. Take a moment at the start of the year to review your coverage across areas like life, health, disability, auto, and homeowners or renters’ insurance. The goal isn’t just to have policies in place, but to make sure they still reflect your current life stage and financial needs. Even if nothing has changed recently, a quick review can help ensure your safety net is strong enough to support you and your loved ones if something unexpected occurs.
Monitor Tax Planning Opportunities
Early in the year is a useful time to surface potential tax planning topics. For example, charitable donations or Roth conversions can have tax implications that may benefit from being reviewed in advance. Identifying these areas early allows time to consider how they fit into your broader goals and tax picture, even if no immediate action is taken.
Schedule a Financial Check-In
Your financial plan isn’t a one-and-done document. Life changes, markets evolve, and your goals may shift. Even if things feel steady, checking in with a financial professional at the start of the year can help keep your plan on track and identify opportunities to adjust.
How We Help
We help clients begin the year with clarity and confidence by reviewing their current situation, setting realistic savings strategies, and watching for ways to optimize across investments, taxes, and risk. A thoughtful January can lay the foundation not just for the months ahead, but for financial habits that support your goals well beyond this year. The routines you build now can shape how you save, spend, and plan for years to come.
The Bottom Line
January is also a good time to reflect on the progress you made last year and what you’d like to do differently. Financial success isn’t about perfection, it’s about intention, consistency, and adaptability. Whether you’re starting fresh or building on what you’ve already done, these early decisions can influence your confidence and clarity for the months to come.
Starting strong in January doesn’t mean you need a perfect financial plan, it means creating the habits and checkpoints that keep you on course. By reviewing your contributions, organizing tax documents, and thinking ahead about your goals, you can build momentum that lasts throughout the year. And if you want a partner in the process, we’re always here to help.
Securities offered through Valmark Securities, Inc., a member of FINRA/SIPC. Investment Advisory Services offered through Valmark Advisers, Inc., a SEC Registered Investment Advisor, 130 Springside Drive, Suite 300 Akron, Ohio 44333-2431, 1-800-765-5201.
Velekei Giles Financial Advisors is a separate entity from Valmark Securities, Inc. and Valmark Advisers, Inc.
This material is for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual, nor does it take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of individual investors. This information is not intended for use as tax advice. Persons should consult with their own tax advisors for specific tax advice.