Episode Details

As the year comes to a close, young investors have a unique opportunity to make small moves that can compound into meaningful long-term results. In this episode, we walk through a practical, end-of-year checklist designed for early-career investors who want to stay organized, tax-aware, and financially disciplined. Lance Roberts & Jonathan Penn cover how to confirm you’re capturing all available employer benefits, including 401(k) or 403(b) matches and vesting schedules. We also discuss how to think about Roth IRAs, HSAs, and other tax-advantaged accounts early in your career—when time is often your greatest asset. On the investment side, we review simple allocation checks, diversification risks, and why staying invested through volatility matters. We also highlight tax-smart considerations like capital gains awareness, loss harvesting, and stock-compensation planning for ESPPs and RSUs. Finally, we address the foundational elements of financial stability: emergency savings, cash management, credit health, and high-interest debt. This checklist is not about speculation—it’s about building durable financial habits that support long-term wealth creation. 0:00 - INTRO 0:19 - Wealth by Brackets 3:39 - Will the Santa Rally be Delayed? 9:02 - Open Enrollment & Benefits Tips 16:12 - 401k/IRA Contributions & Employer Matches 24:26 - Investment Choices in 401k's 26:56 - Tracking Down old 401k's 29:38 - Understanding Vesting Schedules 32:29 - Catching Up in 401k 33:58 - Wills, Estate Plans, & Beneficiary Designations 36:26 - Checking for Leakage 39:55 - Annual Credit Report Review 41:18 - Comniog Attractions Hosted by RIA Advisors Chief Investment Strategist, Lance Roberts, CIO, w Senior Investment Advisor, Jonathan Penn, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Wyudzh3naw&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1 ------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Data, Volatility & Santa Rally Risk," is here: https://youtu.be/gnorFZc1qM8 ------- REGISTER for our 2026 Economic Summit, "The Future of Digital Assets, Artificial Intelligence, and Investing:" https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2026-ria-economic-summit-tickets-1765951641899?aff=oddtdtcreator ------- Watch our previous show, "Facing Your Financial Ghosts," here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ypp_HKgciow&list=PLwNgo56zE4RAbkqxgdj-8GOvjZTp9_Zlz&index=1 -------- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestm entadvice.com/newsletter/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #MarketOutlook #SantaClausRally #Volatility #RiskManagement #StockMarketAnalysis #YoungInvestors #PersonalFinance #YearEndPlanning #InvestingBasics #FinancialWellness