The fourth quarter of 2025 is just getting started, but blink and it will be over – now is the time to take stock of your financial picture and make strategic adjustments before the calendar flips to 2026. The biggest reason people miss making these moves effectively is that they wait until late December, when it can be too late, if they can even make the time. Schedule some time in your calendar before the trick-or-treaters hit your door and you’ll be glad once the turkeys roll out that you’ve check these boxes.
1. Check your workplace retirement contributions
One of the most powerful year-end financial moves is ensuring you're taking full advantage of your retirement plan at work. For 2025, the contribution limit for 401(k), 403(b), and most 457 plans is $23,500—but you need to contribute by December 31st to count toward this year's limit.
Check your year-to-date contributions
Start by reviewing your most recent pay stub or logging into your retirement account to see where you stand. If you're falling short of the maximum and have the cash flow to increase contributions, now is the time to adjust your payroll withholdings. Even a small bump in your contribution percentage over the remaining pay periods can make a meaningful difference, and remember—these are pre-tax dollars that reduce your 2025 taxable income.
Don’t procrastinate this one! Waiting too long can either require you to go without a paycheck in order to max out or in some cases, unable to even get there by year-end.
The matching money trap
Here's a critical detail many employees overlook: the timing of your contributions can affect your employer match. Some companies only match contributions made during each pay period. If you front-load your contributions and hit the $23,500 maximum before year-end, you might miss out on matching dollars for those final paychecks—essentially leaving free money on the table.
The good news? Many employers offer "true-up" matching, which means they'll reconcile your total annual contributions at year-end and add any missing match amounts. However, not all companies do this. Contact your HR department or benefits administrator to understand your company's specific policy. If your employer doesn't offer true-up matching, consider spreading your contributions evenly throughout the year to capture every available matching dollar.
Don't forget catch-up contributions
If you're 50 or older, you're eligible for catch-up contributions that allow you to save even more. For most people in this age group, the catch-up amount for 2025 is an additional $7,500, bringing your total potential contribution to $31,000. But note that in most 401(k) plans, this is a separate election, so don’t just assume that once you hit $23,500 that contributions will continue if you’re over 50.
But here's where 2025 gets even more interesting: there's a special provision for employees aged 60, 61, 62, or 63. If you fall into this age bracket, your catch-up contribution limit is actually higher—$11,250 instead of $7,500. This enhanced catch-up amount recognizes that these years often represent a critical final push toward retirement, when many people are at their peak earning years and may have finished paying for college or other major expenses. If you're in this age group, take advantage of this temporary boost to accelerate your retirement savings. You can contribute up to $34,750 total in 2025.
2. Audit subscriptions and recurring charges
In today's digital economy, it's remarkably easy to accumulate subscriptions—and surprisingly difficult to keep track of them all. The average American has multiple streaming services, app subscriptions, gym memberships, and various other recurring charges that quietly drain their bank accounts month after month. The fourth quarter is an ideal time to conduct a thorough audit and redirect that money toward more important goals.
Take inventory
Start by reviewing three months of credit card and bank statements to identify every recurring charge. You might be surprised by what you find—that meditation app you signed up for during a January wellness kick, the premium music service you barely use, the subscription box that's lost its novelty, or the Patreon you signed up for to support your favorite yoga teacher during the pandemic that’s still going five years later.
Pay special attention to subscriptions you only use seasonally. Do you really need that sports streaming package during the off-season of your favorite sport? Is that meal kit service providing value, or has cooking at home become more sporadic?
Strategic holiday streaming
The holidays are prime time for subscription services, with everyone releasing special content and classic seasonal programming. Instead of maintaining multiple streaming services year-round, consider a strategic approach: make a list of all the movies and shows you want to watch, then make a calendar to cycle through one streaming service at a time. Chances are you’ll find that without special planning, you won’t be able to use all of those services anyway when you add in all the in-person celebrations and events on your calendar.
Special note to Apple users: if new Apple products are on anyone in your household's wish list—whether it's an iPhone, iPad, or Mac—consider waiting until that purchase is made. Apple frequently bundles promotional periods of Apple TV+ with device purchases, giving you free access to their streaming service without paying separately.
Put your savings to work
Make sure you take the final step in this effort to actually save the money you’re not spending: don't just cancel subscriptions and let that money disappear back into your general spending. Add up the monthly amount you'll save—even $50 to $100 per month can make a real difference—and actively redirect it toward specific goals. Set up an automatic transfer to a holiday expense fund to reduce credit card reliance this season, make an extra debt payment to chip away at high-interest balances, or boost your emergency savings. Making your subscription savings visible and purposeful ensures the benefit doesn't simply evaporate.
3. Plan for major 2026 purchases and financial goals
The final weeks of 2025 offer a valuable planning window for the year ahead. Taking time now to identify and prepare for major 2026 expenses or financial goals can help you make smarter decisions during the holiday season and enter the new year with clarity and confidence.
Identify big-ticket items and goals
Start by listing significant expenses or goals you're anticipating in 2026. These might include:
· A home renovation or major repairs
· A vehicle purchase or lease
· A significant trip or vacation
· College tuition payments
· A wedding (yours or a family member's)
· A career change or sabbatical
· Starting a business or making a major investment
Run the numbers
For each item on your list, estimate the cost and timing. When will you need the money? How much will you need to set aside monthly between now and then? This exercise often reveals whether your current savings rate is adequate or if you need to make adjustments.
If you discover a gap between your savings trajectory and your goals, you have two levers to pull: increase your savings rate or adjust your spending plans. Both are valid approaches, and often a combination works best.
Holiday spending reality check
Here's where Q4 planning gets real: if you're facing major expenses in 2026, how does that affect your holiday spending strategy for 2025? Being mindful now by setting a realistic holiday budget and sticking to it can prevent the January credit card hangover that derails your bigger goals. It's much easier to moderate holiday spending when you can clearly see what you're saving for.
Consider having honest conversations with family about scaling back gift exchanges or focusing on experiences rather than things, if necessary. Your future self, standing in that gorgeous new kitchen or boarding that dream vacation flight, will thank you for the discipline you exercised during the holidays.
Taking action
These three strategies: maximizing retirement contributions, eliminating wasteful subscriptions, and planning ahead for major expenses, don't require sophisticated financial expertise or enormous time investments. What they do require is intention and follow-through.
Set aside an hour this week to review your retirement contributions, scrutinize your recurring charges, and sketch out your 2026 financial landscape. These small actions now can yield significant benefits in both the immediate future and the years to come.
As always, if you'd like guidance tailored to your specific situation, we're here to help. Year-end planning is one of the most valuable services we provide, and we welcome the opportunity to ensure you're making the most of every financial opportunity as we close out 2025.