Cortburg Speaks Retirement

February Financial Reset: 6 Smart Ways to Check Your Money Health

• Miguel Gonzalez, MBA, AIF®, CPFA®, CRC® • Season 2026 • Episode 275

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 In this episode, Miguel Gonzalez walks through 6 simple steps to help you review your budget, savings, goals, and debt—so you can take control of the rest of the year with confidence. 

Cortburg Retirement Advisors is a boutique financial planning firm committed to helping you grow, protect, and preserve your assets from your first job to retirement. We specialize in wealth management, estate and tax planning, group retirement, employee benefits, insurance, and retirement planning to navigate any economic climate.

Miguel Gonzalez, a Retirement Specialist with 20+ years of experience, offers expertise in retirement income planning, investment management, and retirement plan design. With an MBA from Columbia Business School, and professional experience with JP Morgan Chase, Merrill Lynch, and more, Miguel is a trusted advisor for his clients.

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Welcome to Cortburg Speaks Retirement Podcast 
with Miguel Gonzalez, MBA, AIF®, CPFA®, CRC®

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Welcome to Cortburg Speaks Retirement

An audio podcast about investing in the stock market, financial planning, money management and retirement planning.  Each Wednesday, we help investors at all stages of life learn how to potentially grow and preserve their money from first job through retirement.

Now here is your host, Miguel Gonzalez.

Good morning and welcome to the CORTBURG SPEAKS RETIREMENT audio podcast.   

As we move into the 2nd month of the year, it’s a great time to pause and complete a financial wellness check.


 Think of it like an annual physical — a quick review that helps you stay on track, make timely adjustments, and approach the rest of the year with clarity and confidence.

1. Review Your Spending Habits

Take a look at where your money has gone over the last few months.
 Are you spending in ways that align with your values and goals?
 A simple review can highlight patterns, show areas where expenses have crept up, and help you make small adjustments that have a big impact.

2. Evaluate Your Savings Rate

Whether you’re saving for emergencies, retirement, or short-term goals, consistency matters.
 Ask yourself:

  • Am I saving regularly?
  • Can I comfortably increase my savings by even 1% this year?
     Small adjustments now can lead to meaningful progress over time.

3. Check Your Emergency Fund

Life happens — that’s why an emergency fund is so important.
 Review how much you currently have set aside and whether it aligns with your needs today.
 Jobs change, expenses shift, and having a buffer provides a sense of stability when unexpected events occur.

4. Review Your Debt Strategy

Look at your current debt balances, interest rates, and payment schedules.
 Is everything moving in the right direction?
 Even small improvements — like paying a little extra toward higher-interest debt — can strengthen your financial footing and reduce stress.

5. Revisit Your Financial Goals

Goals can change throughout the year.
 Some become more urgent; others shift or fall away completely.
 Take a moment to ask:

  • Are my goals still meaningful?
  • Do they reflect what I want most this year?
     This simple reset can help you stay focused and motivated.

6. Confirm That Your Accounts Are Up to Date

Make sure your automatic transfers, beneficiaries, and contact information are accurate.
 These details often get overlooked, but updating them regularly keeps your financial life clean and organized.

In Closing

A financial wellness check isn’t about perfection — it’s about awareness.
 By taking a few minutes to review your progress, you can make adjustments that keep you on track for the rest of the year with confidence and clarity.

This is Miguel Gonzalez, Certified Retirement Counselor (CRC) and Managing Partner, with Cortburg Retirement Advisors signing off for this week’s educational podcast.  

End of video disclosures:
CRC conferred by The International Foundation for Retirement Education.


 Securities offered through LPL Financial. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, LLC, a registered investment advisor.
 
 

Private Advisor Group, LLC and Cortburg Retirement Advisors, Inc. are separate entities from LPL Financial.
 
 

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
 
 

All information is believed to be from reliable sources; however, LPL Financial makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy.

Contributor

Miguel Gonzalez, MBA, AIF®, CPFA®, PPC®, CRC®

Host