If you are a bit wary of having high hopes for the new year after the intense years of 2020 and 2021, you are not alone. With the ongoing pandemic, economic uncertainty, and a slow road back to “normal,” planning for 2022 might feel overwhelming. The good news is that there are actionable steps you can implement to take back control of at least one important area of your life—your finances—and truly make 2022 a fresh start. Here are four ways you can get started today.

After a three-year rally, the S&P entered correction territory (down over 10%) in late January, marking the worst slide since 2020. The selloff has been especially extreme in many previously high-flying tech stocks. Over 70% of stocks in the NASDAQ index are down more than 20%, and the average stock in the tech-focused index is down 40%.

In its French and Latin origination, the translation of the word mortgage is “death pledge.” It is not surprising that many individuals dream of the day they can pay off their mortgage, burn the bank note, and live debt free.

Investors had a difficult time in September as a robust market rally that began over one year ago finally took a pause. The S&P 500 Index fell 5% from its highs, ending a streak of 227 days without a 5% correction. This was the eighth longest streak the Index went without a 5% decline since 1928. Of course, those who own individual stocks experienced a much greater fall: pandemic-darlings Zoom and Teladoc are 50% below their highs, and many other small, international, and cyclical companies have experienced 20% declines this year.

Taxes are on investors’ minds earlier than usual this year, as the American Families Plan proposal makes many important changes to the current law. If this bill becomes law, we will provide a more detailed analysis.

So, you have maxed out your retirement savings with an IRA and 401(k), now what? The lesser-known health savings account (HSA) might be your answer. Many investors are unsure of how they can maximize their HSA to protect their health and create a more well-rounded retirement plan. Here we will explore what makes an HSA different from other retirement savings accounts and who it can help.