FinPowered Female

The holidays are magical… but let’s be real they can also feel completely overwhelming.

Gifts, parties, travel, school events, neighbor gifts… all while trying to make it feel “perfect.” It’s no surprise to me that nearly 36% of Americans take on debt during the holidays!

And over the years, I’ve learned a few simple strategies to make the season joyful AND financially smart without losing my mind (or my savings).

From creating a master gift list, setting a total spending plan, breaking it down per person, to prioritizing meaningful gifts and tracking every.single.thing. I’ve found a way to stay intentional, spend thoughtfully, and actually enjoy the season without worrying about my credit card bill come January.

✨Get the exact spreadsheet I use for the holidays to map out your holiday spending! It’s quick, easy, and could be your secret weapon for a smoother, more thoughtful holiday season.

Comment HOLIDAY to get your copy!

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The IRS just finalized updates to your 2026 contributions!

Noteworthy changes:

- If you’re 50+ and making catch up contributions - be aware of the changes being made to your contributions. Going from pre-tax to after tax.

- Parents - check out that DCFSA increase. Take advantage if you have kiddos!

- For my IRA contributors, remember you have until April 15, 2026 to contribute for 2025. Max that out before you move on to 2026.

Make note of these changes and start making a plan for your money in 2026! No plan and no systems is a surefire way to miss out on financial opportunities and peace of mind.

Need some guidance? Comment GAMEPLAN to get my free financial planning toolkit to set you up for 2026!

Hope this is helpful 🧡💸

Because it’s all in your head before it hits your wallet.

Money isn’t about getting it perfect. It’s about making progress, owning your choices, and building a life that feels amazing to YOU.

Comment “SHIFT” below and grab my free Money Mindset Guide to start feeling confident and in control of your money.

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Open enrollment has officially begun and believe me, I understand that looking at those forms can feel like a completely different language!

Not to mention, the increase in costs from 2025 to 2026 might have you feeling a little uneasy and without a doubt, frustrated! Understandably so.

So, here is a little cheat sheet for you that breaks it down in the hopes that you feel a little bit more in control, confident and aware of what you're signing up for and what you'll be responsible for in the next 12 months!

Note: If a high deductible health plan is what makes the most sense for you - I strongly encourage you at least consider opening and saving or investing in the HSA account made available to you! And then check in with your employer to learn if they will also be contributing to it on your behalf - and how much!

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Here’s the truth no one likes to recognize, life doesn’t care how organized your calendar is or when it might be a good time for you to drop a bomb on what you have going on.

One day, everything feels stable. Next, you’re navigating something you never saw coming. That. is. life.

Divorce. Burnout. Losing a loved one.
An aging parent who suddenly needs care.
Or even something good like receiving an inheritance, but having no idea what to do with it.

Financial planning isn’t necessarily about predicting every twist and turn that might enter your path. But it is about being prepared for it, so when life shifts, you don’t lose your financial footing...and your mind.

It’s about flexibility, clarity, and peace of mind.

Because when you're in control of your money and have a good understanding and plan for the “what-ifs,” you won't respond in fear and react to what's happening around you, you'll already understand what needs to be done.

And that’s an absolute gamechanger.

✨Comment "Gameplan" and I’ll send you my free financial planning guide that gives you step by step instruction around what you need to create a plan for YOUR money.

Follow for all things money and building wealth with confidence.

I know you might be thinking WHAT?! Why does everyone tell me to contribute to an IRA then. Let’s talk about it...

If you’ve got an employer provided retirement plan AND your income exceeds the IRS thresholds, contributing extra money to a Traditional IRA may not be the right move. Here’s why...

You May Not Get a Tax Break – If you have access to or you’re already putting money in a 401K or similar plan and your income exceeds the IRS threshold, you’re not getting the tax benefit from a Traditional IRA like you think you are.

Potential Tax Issues Later – Many people aren’t reporting Traditional IRA contributions properly, which means they could face paying taxes on it twice (today and in future) when they take the money out. Sounds terrible!!!

Roth IRA Wins – If you qualify to contribute to a Roth IRA, why contribute to a Traditional IRA to be taxed later when you can throw that money into a Roth IRA and let it grow tax-free...?!

Brokerage Account Flexibility & Potential Tax Savings – If you’re not getting the tax benefit today from the Traditional IRA, a taxable brokerage account might give you more flexibility and better tax treatment (depending on how you invest) today and further down the road due to capital gains taxes vs being taxed at ordinary income tax rates in retirement.

Are you contributing to a Traditional IRA?

If so, I want you to understand if you’re getting a tax benefit today. Are you reporting the contributions correctly on your tax return? Are you eligible for a Roth instead?

Hope this helps my friends -

Victoria

For more tips on how to build wealth type MILLION and I’ll send over 25 dynamic ways to build meaningful wealth for your future!

Feeling the sting when you peek at your portfolio lately?
You’re not alone — and no, you’re not doing anything wrong.

Markets are shaky at best, headlines are full of doom (because fear gets clicks), and your brain might be screaming “Do something!!”

But let me offer some perspective — because this isn’t the first time I’ve had these convos with clients (or felt it myself).

Every generation has had a moment that felt like the end of something.

Every time, we thought, “This is different.”

And in some ways, it was.

But every single time, markets came back. Often stronger than before.

Let’s rewind real quick:

📉 1929 – Great Depression
Market down 89%. Took years, but we recovered.

📉 1974 – Oil Crisis
48% drop. Followed by one of the strongest bull markets in history.

📉 1987 – Black Monday
23% gone in a day (insert regulations to make sure this never happens again). Market fully recovered in less than 2 years.

📉 2008 – Financial Crisis
Down 49%. Brutal. But those who stayed invested? Saw massive growth over the next decade and were rewarded big time.

📉 2020 – COVID Crash
Markets dropped 34% almost overnight. Back to all-time highs by year-end.

And now? We’re in another hard chapter. A lot of uncertainty. Inflation, rates, trade wars, etc.

BUT — here’s what I want you to notice:

👉 From 2000–2010, the S&P 500 basically went nowhere. A whole decade of flat returns. Ugly.

On the flip side?

From 1980 to 2024, the S&P 500 averaged 10.6% annually.

✨ So yes — the S&P 500 is still a strong core holding.
But it’s not the whole story. It doesn’t represent the entire global economy.

Diversification matters.

Because what underperforms one decade? Might crush it the next.

Bottom Line: Don’t make permanent decisions based on temporary fear.

Fear is the greatest deciding factor of a losing portfolio.

Do you get your tax return back and wonder WTF you’re looking at?

This is a quick guide about the different schedules and what they represent.

Every number on your Form 1040 comes from a schedule provided later in your return.

Have rental income? Check it out on Schedule E!

Have a side hustle or received a 1099 as a contractor? Check it out on Schedule C!

Received interest from your HYSA? Check out Schedule B!

There is a method to the tax return madness. You don’t have to be an expert but at least get a grasp of what you’re looking at to ensure its accuracy!

It’s that time of year again - tax time!

The only people excited about this are those getting refunds 🤣

But here’s the thing, this tax deadline comes around every single year at the exact same time.

If you have a CPA and will be leaning on them to file your tax return, please don’t wait until the final hour to send them your stuff.

This cheat sheet should give you a good breakdown of what to look for and what to expect to come your way in the weeks to come!

I’ll follow up with another post soon about other nuanced changes in your life that are worth sharing with your CPA for tax purposes!

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Let’s get real—so many of us struggle with money at some point. Whether it’s debt, relationships and money, budgeting stress, career growth, or feeling behind on savings, we’ve all been there.

But the biggest mistake? Staying silent about it.

I get it. Talking about money can feel uncomfortable, even shameful. Maybe you think you should have it all figured out by now, or maybe you're worried people will judge you if they knew the truth. But here’s the thing: Suffering in silence only makes it worse.

Money stress thrives in isolation. When you keep it to yourself, you miss out on the support, insight, and solutions that could make all the difference. The moment you open up, I promise you, you'll realize you’re not alone. So many others are working through the same things.

This is your reminder: It’s okay to not have it all together.

Talking about money doesn’t have to be scary. Whether it’s with a trusted friend, partner, or someone like me who can help guide you—it’s always better to face it head-on than battle it quietly on your own.

One of the first steps in building confidence with your money is your willingness to start talking about it, ask the questions, push back if needed - speak up.

Follow for all things money and building wealth with confidence.

Feel like childcare costs are draining your wallet?

Mhmm.. childcare is ridiculously expensive!!

But what if there was a way to save on those bills and keep more money in your pocket?

Here’s the good news: a Dependent Care FSA can help you save and in this season of life, every little bit counts! Here's some info on it if you're not aware of what it is...and a tip for those who do have one already!

- You can save up to 30%: The money you contribute to the DCFSA comes out pre-tax, which means you’re lowering your taxable income and thus saving on taxes - so really this could translate to saving on childcare costs.

- The funds can be used to cover what you are already paying for: Think daycare, preschool, before/after-school care, summer camps, etc.

- DON'T LET IT GO TO WASTE! These accounts are “use it or lose it,” so it’s important to plan how much you’ll spend and contribute only what you’ll use AND to be sure to provide those receipts for the expenses so you get reimbursed before the grace period ends each year!

This isn't life changing savings - but hey - if I can knock $1,000+ off my taxes every year by using this account for expenses I'm already paying for - I consider that an easy win.

Are you using a Dependent Care FSA? If not, what questions do you have about it? 👇

What’s going to happen next?!

Read through the slides to get my personal and professional take on investing for your future!

The most basic line that needs to be heard….

Time IN the market beats timing the market.