Family Wealth blog

Start the Year Strong

The New Year naturally brings momentum - new habits, new goals, and a renewed desire to get organized. Your financial life deserves that same energy. A quick annual review can help ensure you’re prepared for tax season, aligned with your long-term goals, and positioned to take advantage of new opportunities throughout 2026.

Here is a quick educational guide to help you get organized and stay ahead:    

1. Revisit Your Investment Strategy – Markets shift and so does life. Your JL Bainbridge Advisor can walk through your full investment picture, so you’re aligned with your financial plan. Ask yourself:
   • Has anything changed in my goals or risk tolerance?
   • Am I saving enough for retirement or other long-term plans?
   • Should my portfolio be rebalanced?
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2. Prepare for Tax Season Early – Good news: early tax planning minimizes stress, and a well-planned tax strategy can help preserve your wealth. Start by working with your tax professional to:
   
   • Review last year’s tax return for opportunities.
   • Identify potential deductions or tax-efficient methods.
   • Discuss charitable giving, RMDs, and capital gains with your JL Bainbridge Advisor.
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3. Set Clear Wealth Goals for 2026 – Think beyond resolutions, think about the direction you want to take. Articulating your goals can help your financial team build a plan that truly supports your life. Do you want to:
   
   • Increase retirement contributions?
   • Save for a major purchase?
   • Support your kids or grandkids?
   • Strengthen your estate plan?

Frequently Asked Questions

Feeling confused or overwhelmed? We’ve gathered some FAQs to help:

1. What financial steps should I take at the beginning of the year?
   Start with a review of your investment strategy, tax planning opportunities, and long-term financial goals. If this seems overwhelming, talk to your JL Bainbridge Advisor – we can help walk you through it.
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2. How often should I meet with a financial advisor?
   Once per year at minimum, but many clients benefit from semiannual or quarterly check-ins, especially during major life changes. At JL Bainbridge, we always encourage our clients to contact us with their life updates.
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3. Why is portfolio rebalancing important?
   Rebalancing can help ensure your investments stay aligned with your goals and risk tolerance as markets fluctuate.
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4. What should I bring to a financial review meeting?
   Recent statements, tax documents, updates about income changes, and a list of upcoming goals or concerns.
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5. What are good financial goals to set for the new year?
   Common goals include increasing savings, reducing debt, planning for retirement, updating estate plans, and improving tax efficiency. Ultimately, every financial goal can be considered good, because planning ahead is always a smart move!

‍Make This Your Year for All the Right Financial Moves

Whether you’re refining what’s already working or building a plan for the first time, the New Year is the ideal time to take action. And you don’t have to tackle it alone, we’re here to help guide you every step of the way.

Ready for your financial check-in? To schedule a financial review or learn more about our services, contact your JL Bainbridge Advisor or click here to request an appointment.

Disclosure

Any views and opinions expressed in this article are those of JL Bainbridge and are subject to change and reflect our judgment as of the publication date. This content is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment advice. Investment advice is only available to those who are clients through written agreement.

 *JL Bainbridge is a registered investment adviser. Registration with the SEC does not imply any level of skill or training. JL Bainbridge is not a broker-dealer and does not offer tax or legal advice. Please consult your tax or legal professional for assistance regarding your individual situation. For more information about our firm and our investment adviser representatives, please review our Disclosure Brochure (ADV Part 2A), Privacy Notice, and Relationship Summary (Form CRS) at jlbainbridge.com or reference the SEC website for more information on the firm and its advisers at: https://www.jlbainbridge.com/contact-us.

Investing involves risk, including the potential loss of principal. Market conditions and events can cause stock prices to fluctuate rapidly and unpredictably. Past performance is not indicative of future results. BLG26

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