Financial planning often involves stepping back, reflecting on what worked, and adjusting as life changes.

In this short video, Thrive Wealth Management advisor Matt Fatz shares observations and takeaways from his work with clients this year. Watch now to hear what stood out and consider how these themes may be useful as you think ahead to 2026.

About Matthew

Matthew Fatz, CFP®, is a Financial Planner at Thrive Wealth Management, LLC, a boutique financial planning firm in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. Matt brings an approachable style to the table and centers every client’s plan around their goals and dreams (not spreadsheets or markets). Clients often come to him asking one question: “Am I going to be okay?” Matt takes pride in answering that clearly, providing calm, objective advice that helps people act with confidence. He follows a consistent process with every client, but his recommendations are always tailored to each person’s unique situation; and he explains complex decisions in plain language so clients can truly understand their options. What he finds most rewarding is helping people overcome the emotions of money and gain the relief of having a clear, confident plan.
Matt began his career in 2008 with Bernstein Wealth Management, working with high-net-worth clients through the Global Financial Crisis. He later supported advisors nationwide at SEI Investments and then worked directly with families at United Capital before joining Thrive. A CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional, Matt is a graduate of Susquehanna University with a BS in Finance. He lives in Wayne, PA, with his wife, Amy, and their three sons. A big sports family, they love basketball, golf, lacrosse, and the outdoors. Matt also enjoys coaching his boys’ basketball teams and spending time near the water. To learn more about Matt, connect with him on LinkedIn.

Disclosure:

This material is provided for informational and educational purposes only, should not be viewed as an exhaustive discussion of the topics presented, and should not be construed as individualized advice for any reader’s personal circumstances. For guidance on how these matters may impact your financial plan or investment portfolio, please contact your Thrive Wealth Management, LLC representative. While the information presented is believed to be factual and up to date, Thrive Wealth Management, LLC does not guarantee its accuracy and, due to various factors, including but not limited to changing laws and regulations, this information is subject to change. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication.  Thrive Wealth Management, LLC is not a law firm or an accounting firm, and no content contained herein should be construed as legal or accounting advice. Please consult with the qualified professional(s) of your choosing for legal and accounting advice.

Please visit https://thrivewealth.com/disclosure for additional information regarding the professional designations and credentials discussed. Professional designations and credentials do not guarantee success or any particular investment or financial outcome.

Past performance does not guarantee future results. All investing comes with risk, including risk of loss.

Transcript:

This year reminded us that financial planning isn’t about predicting the next move. It’s about preparing for whatever comes next. I’m Matt Fatz with Thrive Wealth Management.

Today I’ll be taking you through some of the most important financial planning insights I’ve gleaned over the past year. 

Number one, having a plan is essential. The longer I do this, the more I’m convinced that the highest value of financial planning is simply minimizing future regrets.

Maybe you’re skipping family vacations because you’re not sure you can afford them, or thinking about taking a job you don’t want for money you don’t need, or maybe you’re mindlessly spending money on things you don’t actually value. 

Number two, adapt. Don’t react. Emotions and money don’t mix. Too many people let their feelings drive their financial decisions, and it rarely ends well. Having a plan allows you to make more confident decisions, and confidence leads to a greater sense of control.

When the market corrects, like it did earlier this year, understanding why you’re invested a certain way and seeing your plan stress-tested against unfavorable markets allows you to adapt rather than react. 

Number three, perfection is not required. Your financial plan may have specific savings goals, and this year, for whatever reason, you fell short.

Don’t beat yourself up. The trend matters. Consistently hitting your goals, coming up short one year is far different than missing year after year.

Number four, there’s no such thing as a free lunch. It never feels good to be an investor. Either the market is high and you’re waiting for the inevitable dip, or the market is down and you’re wondering when the bleeding will stop.

Unfortunately, volatility is the price of omission. The last few years have been a good reminder that trying to time the market doesn’t work. Don’t let headline noise replace long-term discipline.

Revisiting your investment strategy, or why you’re invested the way you are, now when markets are favorable goes a long way toward making better decisions during a correction. As we move toward the end of 2025, with the market at or near all-time highs, I’ve been suggesting that my clients take a few important steps. Check your emergency fund and replenish it if necessary.

Harvest losses and taxable accounts if you can. Reexamine your investment strategy now while markets are high and emotions are low. For instance, take your portfolio’s total value and multiply it by 20%.

Do you think you might be prone to make a bad decision if your portfolio balance dropped by that amount? If so, consider getting in touch with your advisor sooner rather than later. Financial planning can be stressful, and no one plans perfectly 100% of the time. However, once you’ve taken these steps, you’ll be ready to adapt, not react, to whatever 2026 brings.

Do you want to move forward with confidence, but aren’t sure how? Thrive Wealth Management is here for you.