7 Financial Resolutions for High-Net-Worth Individuals in 2026

1. Think About Taxes Way in Advance of the Deadline
   • I often hear: “We do well, so we know we’re going to pay a lot in taxes.” It’s usually said with a shrug, like it’s just part of the deal. But taxes don’t only show up in April. They appear when someone changes jobs, sells a business, helps a child buy a home, or makes a meaningful charitable gift. Tax alpha isn’t about what you earn, it’s about what you keep. If something feels like a major financial decision, it’s worth slowing down and asking how taxes fit into it before moving forward.
2. Pay Attention to How Much of Your Life Is Tied to One Company
   • This comes up often with executives and founders. Stock grants and incentive plans tend to accumulate quietly over time. Then one day, we put everything on a single page, and it becomes clear just how much net worth and income are tied to the same company. There’s nothing wrong with believing in the business you work for (or own). But concentration risk is real. Rather than treating diversification as a single, high-pressure decision, I encourage people to reduce exposure gradually and systematically, so it becomes a disciplined process, not a stressful event.
3. Don’t Assume Your Old Plan Still Fits Today’s Rules
   • Last year, in anticipation of the TCJA sunset, many estate plans were being restructured around lower exemption thresholds. With the passage of the OBBBA, the federal estate tax exemption for a married couple is now $30 million. Crisis averted, for now. One act of Congress reshaped years of planning. It’s a reminder that estate planning is never static. Thresholds, rules, and strategies can shift with each administration. Complacency is rarely rewarded.
4. Think Beyond the Estate Planning Documents
   • Most people think of estate planning as something you “finish.” You sign the documents, put them in a folder, and check the box. In reality, an estate plan is far more than the paperwork. I’ve seen situations where everything looked perfect on paper yet a beneficiary designation hadn’t been updated, or an account wasn’t titled correctly. As a result, assets never flowed into the trust as intended. Every asset needs to be reviewed and aligned to ensure the plan actually works.
5. Give Yourself Some Breathing Room for the Inevitable Down Markets
   • Most people understand, at least intellectually, that markets go up and down. But it feels very different when you’re living through a downturn while also relying on your portfolio for living expenses. In those moments, having a portion of assets outside of equities can make a bigger emotional difference than people realize. It creates a structure where long-term investments can do what they’re meant to do outpace inflation while a more conservative “bucket” provides stability and liquidity in down markets.
6. Make Financial Planning a Standing Appointment, not a Fire Drill
   • The families who seem most at ease about their finances aren’t always the ones with the most money. They’re often the ones who talk about it regularly. When money conversations only happen in response to a problem, they tend to feel rushed and tense. When they’re part of a routine, they’re usually calmer and more productive. Even a short check-in with your advisor once or twice a year just to review what’s changed in your life can make long-term goals feel far more attainable.
7. Bring the Same Thoughtfulness to Your Money That You Bring to Your Work
   • Most of my clients are very intentional about their careers. They plan, review what’s working, and adjust when something isn’t. That same mindset translates surprisingly well to personal finances. The most successful families tend to manage their wealth the way they run a business. Taxes, investments, estate planning, charitable giving, and expenses are viewed as part of one integrated strategy, not separate silos. When everything is aligned, clarity follows.

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