Welcome back to another edition of "Rolling in Dough" Newsletter, where we serve up the simplest ways to save more, spend less, and build wealth with regular insights, behavioral science hacks, and tiny tips to do today. I hope to make your financial journey a little fun, simple, and totally doable, where ever you are on your wealth journey.

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💸 WHAT FINANCIAL MOVES TO MAKE RIGHT NOW?

NEW SERIES ALERT: BEFORE THE BALL DROPS

The last few weeks of the year are when certain important money moves matter, the ones that save you stress in January, protect your money, and set you up to start the new year already ahead instead of catching up.

So for the next few issues, I’m starting a new series called “Before the Ball Drops.”

Each edition will give you one specific, high-impact mini money move to knock out before December 31, the kind of stuff that strengthens your entire money system without taking a ton of time or effort.

Quick steps. Real results.

By the time the year ends, you’ll feel more in control, more organized, and way more prepared for everything coming next.

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BEFORE THE BALL DROPS (BBD) - MINI MONEY MOVE TO MAKE BEFORE THE NEW YEAR #1

 💸 Mini Money Move #1: Run a BENEFICIARY & ACCESS CHECK on Every Account You Own

What to do:
Before December 31, open every financial account you have: bank accounts, brokerage accounts, retirement accounts, HSA, life insurance, digital wallets, and:

• Add or update your primary beneficiary

• Add a contingent (backup) beneficiary

• Make sure names match current legal names

• Confirm the person listed is still the right person

• Have one trusted “information contact” who can locate your accounts if needed (This is just someone who can knows and can access your accounts if something happens to you, it’s not a beneficiary).

What you need:

Most accounts only require:

• The person’s full legal name

• Date of birth

• Relationship to you

• Mailing address

• Phone number

• Social Security number (some require it, some don’t)

If you don’t have every detail, you can still usually add the name and update the rest later.

Reason #1. Your money won’t automatically go to who you think.

If your beneficiary is outdated, missing, or incorrect, assets can get stuck in court or end up with someone you didn’t choose. This check fixes that instantly.

Reason #2. Beneficiaries Override your Will.

Even if you have a will, the beneficiary name on your account supersedes the one on the will.

Reason #3. Your loved ones need to know your accounts exist.

People often pass away with savings, investments, and old accounts no one can find. Having an “information contact” (different from the beneficiary) prevents the chaos of missing money. This is someone you trust who you can let know your list of accounts.

Bonus: you can make a simple list: Company, Account Type, Account Number, Last Known Balance. Put it with important documents and let whoever you decide your Information Contact, or your loved ones, know where it is.

Reason #4. Choosing someone is better than letting the state decide.

If you don’t list a beneficiary, state laws make the decision for you, and that process can be slow, messy, and completely opposite of what you’d want.

Even if you’re not 100% sure who to leave things to, choosing someone now is still better than letting the government decide. You can always update it later.

Even having one name in place keeps your money out of government-controlled distribution and gives you a say in where it goes.

Reason #5. You can update beneficiaries any time. Set now, update regularly.

Beneficiaries aren’t permanent, you can change them whenever life shifts.

Setting them now gives you immediate protection, and picking one yearly check-in (your birthday or every December) to update, keeps everything aligned with your real life.

Reason #6. Life changes fast, paperwork is on you.

If you get (or lose) a new job, new account, new relationship, new dependent, or move to a new state, your accounts need to reflect your real life. Take the time to update them after big life events, or at a minimum, check them once a year (#5).

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🤔 Things to Consider

1. Beneficiaries override wills, except in rare cases.

For most individual accounts, the beneficiary you list will receive the money directly, even if your will says something different.

But if the form was signed under the wrong conditions (fraud, pressure, or lack of capacity) or wasn’t completed properly, it can be challenged. These situations are rare, but it’s why keeping everything accurate matters.

2. How spouses + joint accounts + retirement accounts can change the rules.

This one is important. Beneficiary rules aren’t the same across every type of account:

• Joint accounts: The surviving joint owner almost always receives the account automatically. A beneficiary does not typically override joint ownership.

• Married + 401(k)s: Some retirement accounts automatically list your spouse as the beneficiary unless they sign a waiver.

• Individual accounts: For accounts you own alone (bank, brokerage, HSA, life insurance), the beneficiary you list typically directs who gets the money.

This is why your beneficiary list, account ownership, and current life situation all need to align.
 

3. Changing your name doesn’t update your paperwork.

If someone got married or divorced, their legal name may no longer match what’s on file. Mismatch = delays. So, if you or one of your beneficiaries has a name update, this would be a reason to notify/update.

4. Your “information contact” is not a co-owner.

If you set an information contact, this is not a beneficiary. This person can’t touch your money, they just help locate your accounts if needed. It’s simply access in an emergency.

5. Beneficiary updates are unlimited, you can change them anytime.

They’re not permanent or locked in. Setting them now gives you protection right away, and choosing one day each year (your birthday or every December) keeps everything up to date regularly.

👋  TO GO BITES: The Wrap Up

Doing a beneficiary + access check is one of the highest-impact, lowest-effort year-end money moves you can make.

It makes sure your accounts reflect your real life, your money goes where you intend, and the people you trust can actually find things if something ever happens.

Even if you do not have a will, make sure your beneficiaries are updated.

It protects everything you built this year (and before), and takes less than 15 minutes.

NEED HELP / GUIDANCE ON WHAT TO DO FIRST OR NEXT?

If you have questions about the money moves you should be making next, here’s how I can help. You can also reply to any email.

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