The Personal Finance Podcast

Episode Title: 26 Things to Do with Your Money In 2026!
Host: Andrew Giancola
Date: December 31, 2025

Overview

In his annual tradition, Andrew Giancola, founder of MasterMoney.co, delivers a jam-packed episode for the new year, sharing 26 actionable steps to help listeners master their money in 2026. His goal: guide anyone—from beginners to seasoned savers—to achieve their best financial year yet by focusing on systems, mindset, increasing income, automating finances, investment strategy, and spending intentionally. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in personal finance, Andrew blends practical strategies with motivational advice to help listeners take control and build lasting wealth.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Money Psychology: Rebuilding Trust with Your Finances

[04:30]

• Mastering your money mindset is paramount.
  • “Managing your money is about 90% psychology and only 10% head knowledge.” (Andrew, 05:00)
• Reframe past financial failures: “Those bad decisions are outliers now... You are a person who builds wealth.” (Andrew, 06:05)
• Quick wins early in the year build momentum and confidence.
• The power of confidence compounding: “Once you get the ball rolling, confidence compounds faster than your returns ever can.” (Andrew, 09:02)

2. Goal Setting: Systems Over Wish Lists

[10:30]

• Importance of breaking down big goals into actionable steps.
• Example: Want to save $3,000 in 3 months? That’s $500 per paycheck or $250 per week.
• “Money is a tool that gets you the things you want in life.” (Andrew, 13:44)
• Announcement: Deep-dive episode on financial goals coming next week.

3. Find Your Financial Baseline

[16:41]

• Calculate essential monthly expenses by reviewing past 3-6 months.
• Know your “burn rate”—helps with everything from building an emergency fund to understanding your financial safety net.

4. Automate Your Finances

[20:38]

• “Every single bill in your life needs to be automated.” (Andrew, 22:05)
• Prioritize automating investments (“pay yourself first”), then automate savings (using the “bucket method” for goals like vacations, down payments).
• High-yield accounts and automation free up your time and mental bandwidth.

5. Update and Audit Your Net Worth

[26:30]

• “Your net worth is your financial scorecard.” (Andrew, 27:35)
• Update assets minus liabilities yearly (ideally every December).
• Tools like Empower make tracking seamless, and Andrew provides a Net Worth Checklist.

6. Follow the “1-3-6” Emergency Fund Methodology

[30:40]

• 1 month of expenses in savings > pay off high-interest debt > 3 months of expenses > begin investing > build to 6 months of expenses.
  • “Protecting your financial situation is the most important thing you can do.” (Andrew, 33:46)
• It’s normal to use your emergency fund; just rebuild methodically.

7. Open a High-Yield Savings Account & Use Buckets

[36:12]

• Transfer funds from low-yield bank accounts to options offering 3–5% returns.
• Prioritize easy organization with “buckets” for each goal.

8. Systematic Expense Reduction

[38:08]

• Don’t cut spending drastically overnight; reduce gradually.
  • “If you spend $1,000 on eating out, try $900 next month, then $750...” (Andrew, 39:41)
• Focus on 1–2 categories at a time to avoid burnout.

9. Adjust Investments for Inflation

[41:02]

• For 2025, inflation averaged 2.7%—increase investment contributions by at least that much to maintain purchasing power.
• “If you only invest the same amount every year, you’re actually losing ground.” (Andrew, 42:15)

10. Run a Tax Diversification Check

[44:23]

• Inventory all accounts: pre-tax (traditional 401k/IRA), Roth, taxable.
• Seek balance among the tax buckets; discuss with a CPA for optimization.

11. Reevaluate Roth vs. Traditional Each Year

[47:09]

• Review your marginal and projected tax brackets annually; adjust contributions accordingly.
  • “Sometimes your income situation changes, and your ideal account should change too.” (Andrew, 48:44)

12. Keep Abreast of Tax Law Updates—Look Out for 2026’s “Big Beautiful Bill”

[50:10]

• Contribution limits are up for IRAs and 401ks; coordinate with your CPA for new strategies and deductions.
  • “Ask about updates that specifically impact your situation.” (Andrew, 51:13)

13. Always Get Your 401k Match

[53:10]

• “It’s a 100% return on your money—you can’t get that anywhere else!” (Andrew, 53:44)
• Secure this before focusing on debt repayment or other savings.

14. Career Moves: Bottom Line Projects & Annual Raises

[55:18]

• Be proactive: Meet your boss, volunteer for profitable/productive projects, and communicate your ambitions.
• “Don't just wait around for a raise—intentionally design your next income jump.” (Andrew, 58:00)
• Bare minimum: Your raise must outpace inflation; otherwise, it’s a pay cut.

15. Design Multiple Income Streams

[59:56]

• Relying on a single source (especially a W2 job) is risky.
• Develop new skills (e.g., “AI infrastructure for small businesses”) and consider part-time businesses or side hustles for extra stability and peace of mind.

16. Skill Stack—Intentional Skill Building

[1:02:44]

• Catalogue your skill set, identify gaps, plan to address weaknesses.
• Even skills outside your current field can open lucrative opportunities.

17. Build & Strengthen Your Network

[1:06:40]

• “Your network is your net worth.” (Andrew, 1:06:41)
• Attend industry events; if none exist, create one yourself.

18. Intentional Spending: Replace Guilt with Guardrails

[1:09:20]

• Ditch guilt in favor of clear limits and purpose-driven spending to upgrade quality of life without overspending or anxiety.

19. Schedule Regular “Money Check-Ins”

[1:12:10]

• Prevent crises by reviewing automations, savings, investments, and overspending at least quarterly.
• Couples: Do this together; singles, turn it into a personal date.

20. Determine Your “SWAN” Number—Sleep Well At Night

[1:14:30]

• Your peace of mind comes first; adjust your emergency fund and savings level to what lets you “sleep well at night,” not just the 6-month minimum.

21. Create a Financial Protection Plan

[1:16:00]

• Strong, unique passwords for every site (use password managers).
• Freeze your credit when not actively borrowing.
• Remove personal data from online data brokers (recommendation: DeleteMe; affiliate code/promo at [1:18:50]).
• Set account alerts; beware of phishing.

22. Prepare a “What If Something Happens?” Document

[1:21:40]

• A single page with instructions, emergency contacts, and account info for loved ones saves enormous stress in crises.

23. Create a Charitable Giving Plan

[1:23:01]

• Identify causes you care about, automate regular giving, and make generosity part of your financial plan.
• Book reco: Giving it All Away and Getting It Back Again (Hobby Lobby founders).

24. Intentionally Increase Spending on What You Love

[1:25:48]

• After trimming low-value spending, reallocate cash to things that matter—hobbies, travel, learning, or investing.
  • “Cut out the low-value spending, then spend more on what you love—that’s the path to your best year yet.” (Andrew, 1:26:42)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• “Confidence compounds faster than your returns ever can.” (09:02)
• “Your net worth is your financial scorecard.” (27:35)
• “Automating your finances frees up your time—and time is the most valuable asset you have.” (25:39, 23:43)
• “Don’t just wait around for raises—intentionally design your next income jump.” (58:00)
• “If your boss gives you a raise that’s less than inflation, you just took a pay cut.” (57:07)
• “Your network is your net worth.” (1:06:41)
• “Spending is a skill... Set up guardrails so your money supports your life, not causes guilt.” (1:09:20)
• “Your SWAN number is your Sleep Well At Night Number—don’t settle for less peace than you deserve.” (1:14:31)
• “Cut out all the low-value spending first, then start to allocate that towards things you actually love.” (1:26:42)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00 — Introduction & Purpose
• 04:30 — Money Psychology & Reframing
• 10:30 — Setting & Achieving Financial Goals
• 16:41 — Finding Your Financial Baseline
• 20:38 — Automating Finances
• 26:30 — Net Worth Update
• 30:40 — 1-3-6 Emergency Fund Method
• 38:08 — Systematic Expense Reduction
• 41:02 — Inflation-Adjusted Investing
• 44:23 — Tax Diversification
• 47:09 — Roth vs. Traditional Check
• 50:10 — 2026 Tax Law Changes
• 53:10 — 401k Matching
• 55:18 — Career Planning & Raises
• 59:56 — Income Diversification
• 1:02:44 — Skill Stack Building
• 1:06:40 — Expanding Your Network
• 1:09:20 — Guilt-Free, Guardrail-Based Spending
• 1:12:10 — Regular Money Check-Ins
• 1:14:30 — The SWAN Number
• 1:16:00 — Financial Protection Plan
• 1:21:40 — “If Anything Happens” Document
• 1:23:01 — Giving Plan & Charitable Goals
• 1:25:48 — Spending More on What You Love

Closing

Andrew concludes with encouragement to put these 26 strategies into action and emphasizes the power of community and planning. He invites listeners to join Master Money Academy to work through financial goals with additional coaching, resources, and accountability in 2026.

Note:
Advertisements and non-content promotions were omitted per guidelines.
For workbook links, Master Money Academy info, or referenced checklists, see the episode show notes.