Welcome to a brand‑new year — and a brand‑new chance to take control of your money. Think of this episode as your 2026 personal finance reset. Troy Branch sits down with Jacob Messick and Keali Jo French to break down three of the most important financial steps you should take at the start of 2026.
Whether you’re trying to get organized, set meaningful money goals or finally understand your full financial picture, this conversation will help you start the year with clarity and confidence.
1. Reflect on 2025
Before you plan ahead, you need to understand where you’ve been. We walk through how to review last year’s spending, identify overspending patterns, evaluate your savings and emergency fund, and clean up lingering subscriptions.
2. Set (or revisit) your 2026 financial goals
Short‑term. Mid‑term. Long‑term. We talk about how to categorize your goals, measure progress on last year’s priorities, and translate big ideas into actionable steps you can actually stick with.
3. Review your net worth
Your net worth is your financial snapshot — and reviewing it annually can show growth, gaps and opportunities. We cover how to gather your info, calculate assets minus liabilities, compare to prior years, and use the insights to guide your 2026 plan.
Future Focus: A Financial Strategies Podcast
Welcome to Future Focus, a podcast designed to make sense of complex financial topics. Hosted by Troy Branch, a professional with over 25 years in the financial services industry, this Ameritas advanced planning podcast offers engaging panel discussions that simplifies the jargon into straightforward insight.
Whether you’re a business owner aiming to enhance your financial knowledge or someone interested in financial literacy, Future Focus is your go-to resource. Each episode provides practical tips covering topics like estate planning, managing risk, retirement strategies for business owners and much more.
Disclosures
This podcast is for information purposes only and will cover a variety of topics examining the role insurance and other financial products may play in financial decisions. The information presented here is not intended as tax, accounting, or other legal advice. If tax or other legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.
This information is provided by Ameritas®, which is a marketing name for subsidiaries of Ameritas Mutual Holding Company. Subsidiaries include Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. in Lincoln, Nebraska and Ameritas Life Insurance Corp. of New York (licensed in New York) in White Plains, New York. Each company is solely responsible for its own financial condition and contractual obligations. For more information about Ameritas®, visit ameritas.com.
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