Start Strong: Five Smart Financial Moves
By Neil Stalter, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, CBEC®, CDFA®, Associate Partner | Wealth Manager
& Allison Oberembt, CFP®, Financial Advisor
A new year brings the promise of a fresh start — but for many women, it’s more than that. It’s a checkpoint. A moment to pause, reflect, and ensure that the wealth you’ve worked hard to build, still aligns with where life is taking you next.
Whether you’ve transitioned through a divorce, the loss of a spouse, a business sale, or simply entered a new season of independence or contemplation of retirement, the start of the year is an ideal time to take a strategic look at your financial picture. Here are five ways to begin 2026 strong, clear, and confident.
1. Revisit your vision — and your plan
Your financial plan should evolve as your life does. Start by asking: What do I want this next chapter to look like? That might mean traveling more, adjusting work commitments, or building a legacy for your family or causes that you care about.
Review your plan with your advisor to ensure your investment strategy, retirement income, and estate goals reflect those priorities. Clarity shifts your focus from simply preserving wealth to using it intentionally.
2. Evaluate your cash flow and investment positioning
Even if you feel financially comfortable, it’s worth reviewing how your money is working for you. Are you holding excess cash in low-yield accounts? Could some be redirected into tax-efficient vehicles or short-term investments?
This is also the time to confirm your portfolio’s risk level matches both market realities and your lifestyle goals. After a year of market fluctuation, a portfolio review can ensure your allocations still fit your comfort level and time horizon.
3. Plan your 2026 tax strategy early
Affluent women often face complex tax situations — from capital gains and business income to stock options or inherited assets. Planning ahead with your CPA and advisor can uncover meaningful opportunities.
A few places to focus:
Maximize retirement and HSA contributions for tax-advantaged growth.
Take RMDs (Required Minimum Distributions) early. Coordinating them with your income and charitable strategy can reduce your tax bill. If you don’t need the income, consider directing part or all of your RMD to charity through a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD).
Explore Roth conversions during lower-income years to create future tax flexibility.
If charitable giving is part of your plan, talk with your advisor about approaches that may align more efficiently with your goals.
4. Simplify and protect
As life grows more complex, simplification becomes a form of self-care. Review your accounts, policies, and estate documents. Are beneficiaries up-to-date? Would someone else be able to locate your assets if needed?
It’s also a good time to review insurance coverage — life, disability, and long-term care protection. Even if you no longer have dependents, maintaining the right coverage helps protect your lifestyle and legacy.
If you haven’t revisited your estate plan recently, make 2026 the year to update it. Clear documentation ensures your wishes are honored and your wealth transitions smoothly.
5. Schedule a “financial alignment” meeting
The most successful women we work with treat their finances like a business; organized, intentional, and revisited regularly. Schedule time with your advisory team early in the year to confirm that your investment, tax, and estate strategies are working together — not against each other.
Think of it as your annual board meeting for your life. When your financial systems are coordinated, decisions become easier, and opportunities become clearer.
A confident start
Starting the year strong isn’t about doing more — it’s about focusing on what matters most. When your financial life feels aligned, you make decisions from a place of calm rather than urgency.
Before 2026 gets busy, take a moment to pause, plan, and give yourself the gift of financial clarity. You’ve earned it.
Bios
Neil Stalter, CFP®, ChFC®, RICP®, CBEC®, CDFA® and Allison Oberembt, CFP® are financial advisors with Diamond State Financial Group, working together as a team to provide comprehensive financial planning. Neil, an Associate Partner and Wealth Manager, brings over a decade of experience, ensuring continuity and long-term guidance for their clients. Together, they specialize in helping business owners, women, and pre-retirees navigate wealth management, retirement strategies, and generational planning with confidence.
Disclosures
Securities offered through Cetera Wealth Services LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory Services offered through Cetera Investment Advisers LLC, a registered investment adviser. Cetera is under separate ownership from any other named entity. 900 Prides Crossing, Newark, DE 19713.
Cetera Wealth Services, LLC exclusively provides investment products and services through its representatives. Although Cetera does not provide tax or legal advice, or supervise tax, accounting or legal services, Cetera representatives may offer these services through their independent outside business. This information is not intended as tax or legal advice.
Diamond State Financial Group
302-366-0366
900 Prides Crossing, Newark, Delaware
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