And Asking: What’s Your One Big Goal in 2026?

By Rick Waechter, Founder

Below we highlight some of the biggest financial planning wins our clients achieved in 2025. This is not a humble brag. Old Peak deserves little or no credit for any of these. They impacted each client’s financial plan, so we worked with the client on many. But the client was the driver. We want to share these achievements, not just as congratulations to our clients, but also as inspiration for anyone reading.

If you set one meaningful goal in 2026 and commit to it, you can achieve it. We urge you to start planning now – and to start working toward that goal in January.

Financial Milestones in 2025

Took the retirement plunge. Several clients retired after decades in the workforce and are now beginning a new life. The transition is never easy, but each of them seems to be enjoying it so far.

Downsized their house. Several clients sold the house they had lived in for years, buying something more appropriate for their current needs. Talk about a hard decision, especially if you have lived in the same place for a long time. The move-out is even harder if you have not opened a few of your closets for years.

Took the first financial steps after losing a spouse. This may be the most difficult time in anyone’s life, whether the loss was expected or sudden. But there are many financial to-do items after a spouse passes, and we are particularly proud of our clients for their efforts in the face of tremendous loss.

Bought forest land for preservation. This was one client’s goal to preserve land from development. It took a lot of work and careful research, but they now own land they expect to protect for generations.

Ramped up monthly savings. This is never easy. But if you need to save more, the only way is to start, and to make it a habit.

Started a new business. A new challenge and step into the unknown – full of risk and opportunity, long hours and hard lessons, and a lot of satisfaction regardless of the outcome. Multiple clients started new businesses in the past year, and we wish them every success.

Bought into a continuing care retirement community (CCRC). CCRCs are not for everyone – but they make a lot of sense for many retirees. For those who take the plunge, the initial step can be scary – preparing to leave their home and previous life for something new. We hope it will prove a great decision.

Aggressively reduced an individual stock holding. Anyone who has a significant percentage of their wealth in one individual stock – typically their employer’s stock -- has real risk. Selling is painful, because there is usually a large tax bill, and the decision is emotional, not just financial. But it is a critical step toward reducing financial risk.

Funded a Roth account. There is no immediate benefit for putting money into a Roth IRA or 401(k). In fact, you may owe tax when you convert a balance from a traditional retirement account. But you have moved assets into the most valuable investment account available, because assets in a Roth IRA or 401(k) will never be subject to tax. It’s short-term pain for long-term gain.

Made major changes to their estate plan. Several clients made simple but important updates, such as replacing someone named as an executor or trustee with a more appropriate person. Several others made bigger changes, like the timing or conditions for when their kids will inherit money. In every case these were necessary changes.

Made a Form 706 “portability” filing. Okay, we know this may seem technical. But it’s important for anyone who may owe estate tax when they die. This is a filing when the first spouse passes away that can reduce the likelihood the survivor will owe estate tax when they die.

There were more accomplishments, but we have highlighted these few. Congratulations to each of our clients. We hope readers will take the time to ask themselves: what one big thing can I accomplish in 2026?