Abundo Wealth

The end of the year is the perfect time to set yourself up for financial success in 2026. These three steps can help you start the year with clarity and control.

• Review your emergency fund. Consider whether you used it this year and whether your monthly spending has changed. A helpful guideline is three to six months of essential expenses. If your cushion is low, rebuilding it can help protect you from unexpected costs.
• Update your 2026 budget. Look at what actually happened in 2025. Identify areas where you overspent as well as areas where you had flexibility. Use that insight to create a budget that matches your current priorities, whether that is more travel, paying down debt, or increasing retirement contributions.
• Rebalance your portfolio. Market movements throughout the year can shift your asset mix. Rebalancing helps you stay aligned with your target risk level and long term goals.

Starting the year with these foundations in place means you are not scrambling to catch up.

If you found this helpful, share it with someone who deserves accessible and conflict free financial guidance.
-The Abundo Wealth Team

The "fully funded emergency fund before anything else" advice can actually hold you back from building wealth.

Here's why: A starter emergency fund of $500-$1,000 covers most common unexpected expenses—car repairs, medical co-pays, urgent home fixes. It's enough to keep you from going into debt when life happens.

Once you have that cushion, you can start investing while continuing to build your emergency fund. This approach means your money is working for you sooner, taking advantage of compound growth earlier in your financial journey.

Waiting until you have a full 6-month emergency fund before investing could mean missing out on months or even years of market growth. Instead, split your savings: some toward your emergency fund, some toward investing.

The perfect emergency fund shouldn't delay your wealth-building journey. Start where you are, build as you go, and make progress on multiple financial goals at once.

If you found this helpful, share it with someone who deserves accessible and conflict free financial guidance.
- The Abundo Wealth Team

Planning your estate can feel overwhelming, especially if you've never worked with an attorney before. But here's the thing: finding the RIGHT attorney makes all the difference.

These 5 questions will help you find someone who gets your unique situation, communicates clearly, and has your back for the long haul (not just a one and done interaction).

Whether you need a simple will or a more complex trust, you deserve an attorney who makes you feel comfortable and confident in your plan.

Pro tip: Interview at least 2 to 3 attorneys before deciding. You're building an important relationship here, so make sure it's the right fit.

Need help getting started? Your Abundo advisor can point you toward trusted estate attorneys in your area. We're here to support you through every step of your financial journey.

What questions would you add to this list? Drop them in the comments below!

Many Flexible Spending Account plans do not carry unused balances into the next year. If you still have available funds, reviewing your plan now can help you avoid losing money that is already yours.

A quick checklist can help you stay on track:

• Look up your plan's specific rollover or use by dates
• Check what expenses qualify
• Use remaining funds before the deadline if needed

Taking a few minutes now can keep your benefits working for you instead of expiring.

If you found this helpful, share it with someone who deserves accessible and conflict free financial guidance.
-The Abundo Wealth Team

Tax loss harvesting is a strategy that allows you to reduce taxable investment gains by selling investments that are worth less than you paid for them. It can help improve the tax efficiency of your portfolio.

A simple way to understand it:

• You sell an investment that has lost value
• The loss can offset investment gains or up to 3000 dollars of ordinary income
• You reinvest the money in a similar investment to maintain your overall strategy

This strategy is not necessary for everyone, but knowing how it works can help you make clearer and more confident investment decisions.

If you found this helpful, share it with someone who deserves accessible and conflict free financial guidance.
- The Abundo Wealth Team

According to Bankrate's 2025 Emergency Savings Report, 18 percent of U.S. adults began the year with no emergency savings and still have none today. Nearly one in five households remains highly vulnerable to unexpected expenses.

If you are beginning at zero, try focusing on the first layer of stability:

• Aim for 500 to 1000 dollars as an initial goal
• Keep the money easily accessible
• Automate transfers when possible

Even a small starting cushion can help prevent high interest debt and reduce financial stress.

Source: Bankrate 2025 Emergency Savings Report
https://www.bankrate.com/banking/savings/emergency-savings-report/

If you found this helpful, share it with someone who deserves accessible and conflict free financial guidance.
-The Abundo Wealth Team

Myth: You need a large amount saved before you can start investing.
Reality: Long term progress comes from consistent contributions, not a perfect starting balance.

Investing becomes more approachable when you focus on:
• Small recurring amounts that fit your budget
• Low costs and evidence based investment choices
• Staying invested through different market conditions

You do not need the perfect starting point. You only need a starting point that works for you.

If you found this helpful, share it with someone who deserves accessible and conflict free financial guidance.
- The Abundo Wealth Team