As we say goodbye to 2024 and welcome 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on where we’ve been and set the stage for where we want to go. The beginning of the year is all about starting strong. This is your chance to set priorities, take decisive action, and create momentum for the months ahead. Here are five actions we recommend to help you start 2025 with clarity, confidence, and purpose.

Fall is by far my favorite season. One reason why is because it's the time of year we, at McKinley Carter, begin our budgeting and outlook planning for the upcoming year. It is a time for us to assess progress, address things that need attention, and make adjustments as needed. We use what we have learned to help make decisions that put us in the best position to succeed, so that we can continue to do the work we love with clients and our community. We have similar conversations with our clients ― talking through year-end strategies to help them finish strong and be best-prepared for the year ahead. Knowing they have a sound financial plan to act on allows our clients to spend more time focusing on the things that provide them with meaning and purpose, a real return on life. Find out what five actions we like to discuss with clients to help them finish out the year in a strong, impactful way.

If you're a retiree, orienting your volunteer work around the things you do best could help you find new meaning and satisfaction in your hobbies, while also creating new social connections that will deepen your retirement experience. Learn more about the types of synergies that retirees can create between what they LOVE to do and what their community needs.

Women face unique financial challenges throughout their lives: the gender pay gap, taking time off work for caregiving, and having a longer life expectancy, to name a few. Each stage of life presents a different set of financial considerations and decisions — and getting them correct is important to living your "good life". Learn more.

Negotiation skills are essential in many aspects of life, from job interviews and salary negotiations to purchasing a car or negotiating contracts with vendors. By learning how to negotiate effectively, you can increase your income and savings, as well as improve your overall confidence and communication skills. Learn more.

For those preparing for retirement, it is an exciting time. You have planned and worked hard to get to to this point, building your identity in your community, making friends, and making a difference in the world around you. However, when retirement is finally achieved, it can often create a sudden void that can be difficult to fill. It's very important to think through ways to find purpose during your retirement years. Here are five ways to help you do just that!

As Socrates once said, “Awareness of ignorance is the beginning of wisdom.” If you recognize a lack of proficiency, don’t be afraid to educate yourself. Of course, we all know we can’t be experts on every topic, but gaining a basic understanding that will help you ask the right questions will benefit you in the long run.

Personal finance is no different. Dismiss the notion that "the world of finance is a guy’s thing” and become more proactive about learning the basics. It will truly benefit your personal financial freedom! Check out these basic Investing 101 terms.

When it comes to investing, the current standard of return on investment (ROI) can be self-limiting, adding pressure that is counterproductive. So much of ROI is not within our control. It’s important to balance return on investments with return on life (ROL). Return on life is defined as, "How well you are doing in living the life you want, with the money you have.”