35 easy ways to make extra cash (12 31 25)

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💸 Last-Minute Financial Moves To Make Before 2026

It’s Dec. 31. New Year’s resolutions, including financial ones, are on many of our minds. (Not to mention staying up late to watch the ball drop and ring in the New Year with loved ones tonight!)

But before we turn the calendar to 2026, we have a few more hours to make some smart money moves to close out 2025.

Some things to consider:

• Tax-loss harvest. If you manage your own investments, and especially if you’ve realized taxable gains during 2025, selling investments that have lost money can offset some of those gains and lower your tax bill.

• Donate to charity. If you itemize your deductions, it’s the last day to do so related to your 2025 tax bill. The rules around charitable tax deductions also get trickier in 2026.

• Maximize your 401(k) contributions. Today’s the deadline to contribute funds to your employer-sponsored retirement plan. But you have until the April tax deadline to contribute to your IRA for 2025.

• Take RMDs. If you’re 73 or older, make sure you’re handling your Required Minimum distributions from your retirement accounts such as 401(k)s.

• Consider pulling extra income (ages 65+). Due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, those 65 and older get an extra $6,000 tax deduction ($12,000 for married couples who are both 65+). This may lead you to make larger withdrawals or Roth conversions before 2026.

• Max out your annual gift tax exclusion. If you have cash you want to gift toward a family member, for example, you can gift up to $19,000 this year per recipient without using any of your lifetime exemption.

• Use FSA funds. Any money you have in a Flexible Spending Account is typically “use it or lose it” with a Dec. 31 deadline.

• Calculate your net worth. It’s a good idea to do this at least once per year. (This calculator can help!)

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🎙️ Podcast

Wes Moss dives into the critical connection between social capital and financial security, revealing a surprising "magic number" from his 2025 Money and Happiness in America Study. While most people focus strictly on their 401(k), the data shows that intentionality in your social life is just as vital as intentionality in your investments. Also, Wes breaks down the latest labor data to determine if the "Goldilocks" era of employment is here to stay. With the unemployment rate ticking up to 4.6%, Wes looks past the headlines to analyze the Employment-Population Ratio, which remains strong.

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The Team Clark Consumer Action Center is a free helpline that can help you navigate your money questions. Call 636-492-5275. Visit clark.com/cac for more information.

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