Year-End Timeout for High Earners: Make 20 Minutes Count
If you’re a high-income earner, you know that December is a busy month. Work responsibilities rarely let up, and you’re juggling year-end financial responsibilities and family travel on top of everything. Right now, overhauling your finances can feel impossible, but a 20-minute year-end timeout is doable.
More importantly, it can help make a major difference next year. With four simple steps, this year-end timeout can give you a clearer idea of how to make 2026 a year of intentionality. When you take the time to align your money with your goals, you’re setting yourself and your family up for success.
1. Ask Yourself: Is Your Money Supporting the Life You Want?
My grandfather Julius used to say that money is a tool, not the goal. You’re a high earner, but is your money really working for you? To kick off this year-end timeout, set a five-minute timer and ask yourself the following questions:
What felt the most stressful about finances this year?
Which financial decisions felt easy?
Which financial choices felt empowering?
Have there been any major shifts in my job, income, home, or family?
Has my financial management caught up to those shifts?
I often see, many of the high earners just put their heads down and power through financial (and other) stresses. Take this chance to zoom out.
2. Check Your Direction
Many of my high-income clients aim for perfection and then beat themselves up when they don’t get there. This step isn’t about striving for perfection; it’s just about seeing if your finances are generally headed the right way. Ask yourself the following:
Did my savings increase, decrease, or stay constant?
Did my debt increase or decrease?
Is my net worth headed in the right direction?
The point of this year-end timeout isn’t to start obsessing over expenses or perceived failures. If your financial direction is off, pick one lever to adjust for now.
3. Pick One Thing to Improve in 2026
It’s easy to nitpick your finances and get lost in all the things you want to fix. For this year-end timeout, choose one small but impactful action to focus on. These are a few ideas to consider:
Adjust your equity compensation strategy.
Reduce “lifestyle creep” by cutting at least one subscription.
Commit to a monthly check-in to track spending.
Increase automatic savings by 1% to 2%.
Once you’ve identified your one action, consider working with a financial advisor to start making meaningful progress.
4. Skip the Guilt and Start With Clarity
Whether you’re a single professional, a sole breadwinner, or a dual-income professional supporting a family, the financial pressure is real. However, the point of this year-end timeout isn’t to dwell on what didn’t materialize or shame yourself for it.
Instead, give yourself credit for what you did right and then take steps to set up 2026 with a real, clear financial purpose.
The key to building real wealth isn’t doing everything perfectly; it’s approaching your finances with clarity and consistency. Taking a 20-minute year-end timeout might seem inconsequential, but if you take it seriously, it could be the start of a rewarding, transformative financial year.
Need Help With Your Year-End Timeout?
The year-end timeout outlined above can help you get an idea of what you want to change next year. If you want to make 2026 the year you stop winging it and build a comprehensive financial plan, Julius Wealth Advisors, LLC, is ready to assist.
Our team’s mission is to elevate your wealth-building game plan with integrity, knowledge, and passion. And we’re unwaveringly devoted to a collaborative, highly personalized style.
Wondering how we may be able to help you? Let’s connect! To schedule a meeting, call (201) 408-4644, email info@juliuswealth.com, or get in touch online.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a year-end timeout, and why is it valuable for high earners?
A year-end timeout is a focused, 20-minute check-in designed for high-income professionals and dual-income families. It offers a quick way to step back from the December chaos and reflect on whether your money is actually supporting the life you want. At Julius Wealth Advisors, we guide clients through these kinds of moments to help reduce financial stress and increase clarity—without spreadsheets or guilt.
How can a year-end timeout help me make smarter financial decisions for 2026?
This short pause creates space to evaluate your financial direction, identify what’s working, and choose one realistic change to carry into the new year. High earners often get caught in the cycle of reacting rather than planning. At Julius Wealth Advisors, we help clients use these small resets to improve savings rates, reduce unnecessary expenses, and make more confident financial choices for the long term.
What should I focus on during a year-end timeout if I feel behind financially?
First—don’t panic. Many high earners feel behind because they’re busy and their financial systems haven’t caught up to life changes. During your timeout, focus on just one small win—like nudging up your 401(k) contribution or simplifying how you handle RSUs. At Julius Wealth Advisors, we believe momentum starts with clarity, not perfection. One step is all it takes to feel back in control.
About Jason
Jason Blumstein, CFA, is the founder and CEO of Julius Wealth Advisors, an independent boutique RIA serving clients nationwide from Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey. His passion for investing began at just 10 years old, when his grandfather Julius turned off the cartoons, turned on CNBC, and began teaching him about stocks, discipline, and the values that build a meaningful life.
Shaped by early family financial hardship and inspired by Julius’s integrity and generosity, Jason built a career by gaining experience with PwC, Morgan Stanley, and J.P. Morgan. With a mission of offering transparent, education-forward planning rooted in Integrity, Knowledge, and Passion, Jason founded Julius Wealth Advisors in 2021. The firm operates in a fiduciary, client-aligned model built around long-term partnership.
Building Wealth Is By Choice, Not Chance
Today, Jason partners with High Earners, Not Wealthy Yet (HENWY) families ages 35–50, helping them build long-term, sustainable wealth through disciplined planning, deeply personal guidance, and analytical rigor he gained as a CFA® charterholder. He is known for his boutique, high-touch service, and for the educational clarity he brings to every conversation through The Big Bo $how podcast and Wealth of Knowledge blog.
Outside the office, Jason is a proud husband and father of two. He loves all sports, working out, watching the NFL (he has a complicated relationship with the Dolphins), rooting for the Mets, and staying active—a continuation of his college football days. To learn more about Jason, connect with him on LinkedIn.
Disclosures:
This piece contains general information that is not suitable for everyone and was prepared for informational purposes only. Nothing contained herein should be construed as a solicitation to buy or sell any security or as an offer to provide investment advice. The information contained herein has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but the accuracy of the information cannot be guaranteed. Past performance does not guarantee any future results. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. For additional information about Julius Wealth Advisors, including its services and fees, contact us or visit adviserinfo.sec.gov.