Neda Hooks

Make too much to contribute directly to a Roth IRA? A Backdoor Roth may be an option.

For 2026, the IRA contribution limit is $7,500, or $8,600 if you’re 50+. You still need taxable compensation to make the contribution. (IRS)

The strategy:
1. Contribute nondeductible dollars to a Traditional IRA
2. Convert to a Roth IRA
3. Invest based on your goals and investment objectives

⚠️ Have pre-tax money in a Traditional, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA? The pro-rata rule may make part of your conversion taxable.

And don’t forget step 3. The real opportunity is getting those dollars invested for potential tax-free growth and qualified tax-free withdrawals.

Contribute. Convert. Invest.

Backdoor Roth strategies have tax implications. Consult your tax and financial professionals regarding your individual situation.

Maxing out your 401(k) may not mean you’re actually maxed out. 👀

A Mega Backdoor Roth can allow you to contribute additional after-tax dollars to your 401(k) and then convert those dollars to Roth — but your employer’s plan has to allow it.

2026 limits:
• Under 50: $24,500 employee contribution | $72,000 total plan limit
• Age 50+: $24,500 + $8,000 catch-up | up to $80,000 total
• Ages 60–63: $24,500 + $11,250 catch-up | up to $83,250 total

And don’t forget: contributing the money is only step one—make sure those dollars are actually invested according to your investment strategy, not simply sitting in cash.

Remember, the total plan limit includes your contributions, employer contributions and after-tax contributions—so leave room for your employer match.

Most importantly, not every 401(k) offers a Mega Backdoor Roth. Your plan must allow after-tax contributions AND a way to convert those dollars to Roth.

Check with your employer or plan provider to see what your plan allows.

The 5 biggest financial planning mistakes I see people make:

1. Waiting too long to start.
One of the biggest advantages in investing is time. Too many people wait until they feel like they have “enough” money to begin planning. The reality is that starting earlier—even with smaller amounts—often creates far more opportunities than waiting for the “perfect” time.

2. Investing without a plan.
Buying investments isn’t the same as having a financial plan. Your investment strategy should reflect your goals, time horizon, tax situation, and risk tolerance—not what everyone else is doing or what’s making headlines.

3. Focusing only on growing wealth instead of protecting it.
Building wealth is important, but protecting it is just as critical. Proper insurance, estate planning, beneficiary reviews, and thoughtful tax strategies are all part of a comprehensive financial plan. One unexpected event shouldn’t undo years of hard work.

4. Holding too much cash for too long.
An emergency fund is essential, but I’ve also seen people keep large sums sitting in low-yield accounts for years because they’re afraid to invest. While cash has a purpose, inflation quietly reduces its purchasing power over time.

5. Thinking financial planning is only about investments.
Investments are just one piece of the puzzle. A comprehensive financial plan also considers taxes, cash flow, retirement, estate planning, insurance, education funding, charitable giving, and strategies for major life transitions. The goal isn't simply to grow your wealth- it's to make sure every financial decition is working together to support the life you want to live.

Financial planning isn’t about predicting the future. It’s about being prepared for it.

One of the biggest retirement myths is that saving up to your company match is enough.

The match is free money, and you should absolutely take advantage of it.

But for many people, saving 3%, 4%, or even 6% of their income isn’t enough to create the retirement they envision.

A good rule of thumb is that many households should be saving 20% to 30% of their income toward long-term goals—especially if they started saving later, want to retire early, or hope to maintain a comfortable lifestyle in retirement.

The company match is a great start. It’s just not the finish line.

Want to know if you’re on track? Check out the link in my bio.

My favorite souvenir from any trip isn’t something I buy—it’s the professional photos we take along the way.

It all started on our honeymoon in Italy. We were in Florence, surrounded by some of the most beautiful scenery I’d ever seen, and I remember feeling disappointed that our phones just weren’t capturing it the way I was experiencing it. My husband surprised me with a professional photo shoot, and I’ve been hooked ever since.

Now, whenever we travel, we try to book a family photo session. Not only do we come home with incredible memories, but the photos often double as our Christmas card pictures, which saves us from having to schedule another session later in the year.

One tip: do your homework before booking. Read reviews, look through portfolios, and choose a photographer with a strong reputation. The goal is to come home with photos you’ll treasure for years—not a travel horror story.

Years later, those photos have become far more meaningful to me than anything I’ve ever bought on a trip.