2026 Personal Finance Calendar

January

Kickstart your planning

• Define your financial priorities. It’s easier to stay motivated when your goals are visible, so write down what you want to accomplish and why. Consider including near- and long-term goals, such as restructuring student loan debt or paying off a mortgage.
• Refresh your spending plan. Get tips for starting a budget here, and consider using a budgeting app to make keeping up with it easier. Pro tip: Including specific goals in your budget like saving for a wedding can help you reach them.
• Grow your emergency savings. Aim for 3–6 months of expenses. If that seems overwhelming, set small targets, like saving $1,000. Automating transfers to a savings account can make it more effortless.

• Boost your retirement contributions. Check the new IRS limits and consider upping how much you contribute if you receive a raise or bonus. To set retirement goals and check your progress, log in to use My Retirement Goals.
• Review recurring expenses. Small changes can free up extra cash for your future, so cancel unused subscriptions and look for ones you can downgrade to less expensive plans (say, switching to an ad-based streaming service). You can redirect what you save toward retirement contributions, debt repayment or other goals.
• Tackle debt strategically. To get started, check out our article “How to get out of debt: 5 practical debt payoff tips”. To get an idea of how long it will take you to pay off specific debts, search for an online payoff calculator.

March

Safeguard key financial components

• Update your beneficiaries. Protect your loved ones by making sure your financial accounts and insurance policies reflect your current wishes. Be sure to update them when your life changes, such as getting married, getting divorced or having children.
• Go over your credit reports. Request free credit reports from the 3 three major credit reporting agencies at annualcreditreport.com. Dispute mistakes, and if you’re not planning to apply for new credit soon, consider freezing your credit. It can help keep identity thieves from opening accounts in your name.
• Review your asset allocation (access our video to learn more). Check your retirement account and other financial accounts for how your investments are divvied up among stocks, bonds and cash/cash equivalents. If your overall allocation doesn’t fit your long-term plan, consider reaching out to us or your financial professional before making moves.

April

Organize taxes

• File your taxes by April 15. Before submitting, check if you qualify for tax credits, such as the Saver’s Credit for retirement contributions, Child Tax Credit and credits for energy-efficient home improvements. That way, you don't leave money on the table.
• Decide if you want to adjust your tax withholding for the rest of the year. If you owed a lot or received a big refund this year, having more or less withheld from your paycheck via Form W-4 now can help modify what you owe or receive next year.
• Get organized for next year’s taxes. Create folders you can use throughout the year for receipts, charitable donations and other deductible expenses. That way, you’re ready when tax season rolls around again.

May

Look ahead to summer spending

• Build a “summer buffer” into your budget. Anticipate seasonal costs like outdoor activities, home projects or family gatherings. Allowing for any spending spikes in your budget can help you enjoy the season without dipping into savings.
• Schedule preventive car maintenance. Check brakes, tires, fluids and air conditioning and make sure your emergency kit is stocked with essentials. It can help you avoid costly repairs, towing fees and other unexpected expenses if something goes wrong on the road.
• Plan for energy costs. Warmer months often mean higher utility bills for air conditioning. Consider scheduling an HVAC tune-up, sealing window leaks and using a smart thermostat to help lower costs and free up funds for summer fun.

June

Fine tune financial progress

• Schedule a mid-year retirement review at no extra cost. Reach out to us to go over your investment mix, explore consolidation options and ask questions about your account.
• Check your progress toward financial goals. Celebrate wins and if you’re off track, make course corrections with small changes now. Even cutting or reducing one recurring expense or eating at home an additional day weekly can make an impact.
• Review your automatic financial settings. Check recurring auto transfers and bill payments, as well as notification settings for financial accounts including credit cards. Consider whether they align with your current goals, cash flow and alert preferences and make adjustments as needed.

July

Strengthen your digital security

• Sign up for paperless account statements. This reduces the risk of lost or stolen mail. It can also simplify managing your personal finances since there’s less paperwork to keep track of.
• Increase security on your financial accounts. Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts and refresh passwords, using a different one for each account. Consider using a password manager, which can generate and securely store your passwords while allowing you to use a single master password to access your accounts.
• Set up online accounts for any financial accounts you haven’t yet. Doing so prevents scammers from using your credentials to create an account and lock you out. It also lets you monitor transactions and set up alerts for suspicious activity.

August

Focus on education

• Budget for basic school supplies and beyond. Don’t forget to include potential activity fees, sports gear, tech upgrades and meals. Set spending limits in advance to help avoid last-minute expenses that strain your budget.
• Consider a 529 college savings plan. Many states offer tax benefits, and starting small — with $25 or $50 — can help you get started. Some states' 529 plans offer tax deductions, matching contributions or rewards for opening an account. The funds can be used for other qualified education expenses even if college isn’t in the plans.
• Get a handle on your student loans. To get started, check out our article “How to take charge when paying off student loans”. Evaluate your current repayment strategy to see if it fits your goals. Consider current income-driven repayment options to help make payments more manageable.

September

Protect your legacy

• Create or update your estate plan – no matter how much you have. Key documents like a will can ensure your wishes are carried out and protect your loved ones. If it feels overwhelming, start by considering what assets you have and who you might want to receive them. Also consider setting up powers of attorney to name who you want to make health care and financial decisions on your behalf if needed.
• Organize key information for heirs. Use our worksheet "Keep track of essential documents" to help. Having everything in one place can help family members locate important information and documents quickly. Store everything safely and let a trusted person know where to find it.
• Check how your assets are titled. The way your home, vehicles or bank accounts are listed (whether individually, jointly or in a trust) can affect who inherits them. If titles don’t match what's in your estate plan, your wishes might not be carried out. Review and update as needed to avoid conflicts or delays for your loved ones later.

October

Prepare for year end

• Review your charitable contributions to maximize tax benefits. Starting with tax year 2026, non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 each year ($2,000 if you're married filing jointly) of cash contributions to qualified charities¹. If you do itemize, new rules might impact your strategy for making these donations. To learn more, check with your tax or financial professional.
• Check Health Savings Account and/or Flexible Spending Account balances. If you have one or both, schedule medical, vision or dental care appointments as needed and use remaining funds by the end of the year.
• Review insurance needs before open enrollment. Compare health, life and disability coverage options. Adjust plans based on changes in your family, income or health to avoid gaps in protection.

November

Optimize holiday and travel spending

• Set a holiday budget now. Include gifts, travel and entertainment. Consider using a separate account or prepaid card to avoid overspending. Keep track of purchases so you know when you’ve reached your limit.
• Look for year-end deals strategically. Know what you want to buy before scanning Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals and stick to planned purchases vs. impulse buys. Even a “deal” can be higher-priced or have more restrictions than other retailers may offer, so compare prices and check return policies before buying.
• If you’re planning a vacation next year, set yourself up for deals now. Research destinations and set price alerts to lock in lower rates for flights or accommodations. Early planning can help you avoid peak-season costs.

December

Close the year strong

• If you haven’t reached IRS limits, maximize your retirement contributions if possible. If your budget allows, add to your retirement accounts or IRAs before December 31 to boost your retirement savings and take advantage of tax benefits. Access limits here.
• Reflect on your financial journey in 2026. Consider what you achieved and where you fell short of your goals. Use these insights to set financial targets for 2027.
• Estimate your monthly cash flow for the new year. With benefit changes or new expenses that might be starting in 2027, review what you might having coming in and going out. Make ballpark estimates for your January budget now and adjust as needed once the year gets underway.