[PODCAST] Future Focus: 2026 Personal Finance Reset from Ameritas

Part 1 

Recorded 01/27/2026 

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.