Financial Goals: Your Fourth-Quarter Game Plan for 2026

While many students and teachers returned to school or college earlier this month, it got me thinking about how this time of year can feel like a new year for many of us who are well beyond our school days. As we enter the last quarter of the year, it can be a great time for you to check in on your goals from the beginning of the year, financial or otherwise!

Maybe you wanted to get into a better workout routine or read a certain number of books before the end of the year. There is still plenty of time to not let those resolutions fall by the wayside!

Now that summer vacations have come to an end, many folks are finding their routines returning to normal. September can give you a good runway to get a start on your financial goals as you get back into the swing of things.

As a financial advisor, this is the time of year when I’m having conversations with clients about getting a plan lined up so we can accomplish what is needed ahead of year-end and start next year off strong.

Here is a way for you to start getting one step closer to your financial goals for the year.

Know Where You Are

Do you remember going to a shopping mall? I know that is a foreign concept for many kids these days.

I remember right before school started, we would go shopping for our new school clothes, and I begged my parents to go to American Eagle because they had the best jeans. Not sure if that is still the case, but it definitely was in the early 2000s, and I will stand by that.

RIP to my favorite pair from there that only made it a few years after college.

I digress.

In the mall, they would have this tall plastic directory stand with a map. And on that map, there was usually a star or a dot that showed, “You are Here.” Then, once you found where you were and your store of choice—or the food court—you could start navigating through the barrage of stores and people.

The same is true with our finances. How can you know where you’re going if you don’t know where you are? A great place to start is understanding what has happened so far this year.

• Pull your current statements and account values.
• Check in on debt balances and payment schedules.
• Determine your monthly expenses. Were there any spending categories that were more or less than expected? Did anything surprise you?

Check In on Your 2026 Financial Goals

Think back to January 2026: What were your New Year’s resolutions or goals you specifically wanted to accomplish this year?

If you’re in need of some inspiration, here are a few goals that I’ve helped folks with this year:

• Build or beef up your emergency fund.
• Pay down debt.
• Save for a new home or car.
• Invest for retirement.
• Increase net worth.

Now that you’ve got your goals refreshed, it’s time to check in honestly with the progress you’ve made so far.

How far have you made it toward your goal since January? What obstacles are you overcoming? Do we need to readjust the plan?

I’ve got a couple of artsy friends, and they did something really cool to track their progress. One friend was saving for a new car. She drew the outline of a car and would fill it in as she hit every few thousand dollars.

Months later, she finally filled it and reached her goal. How cool is that?!

Visual reminders can be so helpful!

Build Out Your Fourth-Quarter Plan for 2026

We are back in football season, and you all know a lot can change in the fourth quarter. We’ve all seen those comeback moments that completely change the game in the fourth quarter.

The same can apply to your 2026 goals!

Build out your plan by asking these questions:

• What changes need to happen now to close the gap between what I wanted in January?
• Do I need to trim spending in a category?
• Should I start automating my savings by sending part of my payroll to a savings account?
• Should I start contributing to my company’s 401(k) or an IRA?
• Can I start paying extra on this debt?

There Is Still Time to Make Progress

This process can feel like a lot all at once. We all still have a chance to make this year our best year yet!

If you need help strategizing your fourth-quarter game plan, you can reach out to a financial advisor like me to help build your plan.

These conversations are the ones you will thank yourself for 20 years from now!

September 2026