Before the Ball Drops: 5 Financial Moves You Still Control Before Midnight, LFG Daily - December 31, 2025

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Before the Ball Drops: 5 Financial Moves You Still Control Before Midnight

Every December 31st, the same ritual plays out.

People stare at market charts, rehash headlines, and promise that next year will be different — more disciplined, more intentional, more “on top of it.”

But here’s the truth most won’t say out loud:

By the time the ball drops, the market doesn’t care what you planned to do in January.

What does matter is what you still control right now.

Financial progress isn’t about predicting the next Fed move or guessing where stocks go in 2026. It’s about execution, structure, and eliminating avoidable mistakes. And even on the final day of the year, there are meaningful moves that can improve your position before the calendar flips.

Here are five financial moves you still control before midnight — no crystal ball required.

1. Harvest Losses (or Lock in Gains) Intentionally — Not Emotionally

Taxes are one of the few guarantees in life. Overpaying them doesn’t have to be.

If you have taxable investment accounts, year-end is your final chance to:

• Harvest losses to offset gains

• Balance realized gains across years

• Avoid letting the tax tail wag the investment dog

  
  

This isn’t about selling everything or trying to “outsmart” the IRS. It’s about using the rules that already exist to keep more of what you earn.

Too many investors let the year end without even checking — and write a larger check in April as a result.

2. Max Out What You Can Still Max Out - Even Though You Have Until

April 15th, 2026 on Most Accounts

You can’t go back in time. But you can finish strong.

Before midnight, confirm whether you’ve fully funded:

• Retirement accounts (401(k), IRA, SEP, Solo 401(k))

• Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)

• Employer matches (free money still counts)

  
  

This isn’t about blind contribution levels. It’s about recognizing that time is the most powerful variable in compounding, and missed opportunities don’t reset just because it’s a new year.

3. Review Beneficiaries — The Most Ignored Line Item in Finance

This one isn’t flashy. It’s also one of the most important.

Your will does not override beneficiary designations.Your intentions don’t matter if paperwork is outdated.Life changes faster than people update forms.

Marriage, kids, business ownership, divorce, or even just time passing — all of it can quietly turn a well-built plan into a mess.

Five minutes reviewing beneficiaries can save your family years of stress.

That’s a trade worth making.

4. Take Inventory of Cash Flow — Not Just Net Worth

Most people know their net worth within a rough range.Very few truly understand their cash flow.

Before the year ends, ask:

• Where did my money actually go this year?

• What increased, what shrank, and what crept up unnoticed?

• Am I directing my money — or reacting to it?

  
  

Wealth is built in the margins of behavior, not the headlines. January budgets don’t fix December blind spots.

Clarity now creates leverage later.

5. Decide What You’ll Stop Doing Next Year

This might be the most powerful move of all.

Not what you’ll start — but what you’ll stop:

• Stop chasing every market headline

• Stop holding investments you don’t understand

• Stop avoiding planning because it feels overwhelming

• Stop assuming “up markets” equal progress

  
  

Momentum isn’t created by adding more noise. It’s created by removing friction.

The best plans are simple, intentional, and repeatable.

The Bottom Line

The market will open tomorrow whether you’re ready or not.The economy will keep moving.Headlines will keep changing.

But before the ball drops, you still control:

• Structure

• Discipline

• Preparation

• And the difference between drifting and directing your financial life

  
  

Wealth isn’t built in one day — but neglect is often locked in by one missed year-end review.

Don’t let this be one of them.

Don’t leave your financial future up to chance. Let’s build a plan that gives you confidence today and peace of mind for tomorrow. Click here to schedule a meeting — I’m here to help you take the next step toward financial freedom.

Colin Symons, CIO Lloyd Financial Group

Chicago PMI was 43.5 vs. exp. 40. That’s a contraction but better than expected.

FOMC Minutes were nothing special. They recognized the balance sheet was getting too small and causing problems. Some Fedsters a scared to death of inflation despite the bond market saying it’s no problem.

Silver continues to ride the Vomitron, now moving from $78 to $72. The CME hiked margin requirements twice this week and now China did the same thing.

This is Warren Buffett’s last day as CEO of BRK.B.

The stock market closes at 1PM, today, the last day of the year.

What does it all mean? Nothing really new as we limp into year-end on light volume and thin liquidity

Don’t leave your financial future up to chance. Let’s build a plan that gives you confidence today and peace of mind for tomorrow. Click here to schedule a meeting — I’m here to help you take the next step toward financial freedom.

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This content is intended to provide general information about Lloyd Financial. It is not intended to offer or deliver investment advice in any way. Information regarding investment services are provided solely to gain an understanding of our investment philosophy, our strategies and to be able to contact us for further information.

All information has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy is not guaranteed. There is no representation or warranty as to the current accuracy, reliability or completeness of, nor liability for, decisions based on such information and it should not be relied on as such.

The views expressed in this commentary are subject to change based on market and other conditions. These documents may contain certain statements that may be deemed forward‐looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Any projections, market outlooks, or estimates are based upon certain assumptions and should not be construed as indicative of actual events that will occur.

Past performance is no guarantee of future returns.

Different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk. Therefore, it should not be assumed that future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy will be profitable