There's still time to reach your 2026 money goals

October 1, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

There's still time to reach your 2026 money goals

The idea for this episode came from a simple observation: publicly traded companies issue quarterly reports, and those reports are often more revealing than annual ones. Host Mariel Segara wondered what would happen if individuals did the same thing for their personal finances. Entering the fourth quarter of 2026, with ninety days left in the calendar, is actually an ideal moment to take stock — not to give up on the year's goals, but to adjust course while there's still time.

Why the fourth quarter is different

CBS News business analyst Jill Slessinger makes a case for acting now rather than waiting for January. "You have 90 days to take advantage of the calendar," she says, adding that "once Thanksgiving rolls around, you're kind of screwed because all of a sudden you get sucked into the entire holiday season." The window is real but narrow.

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Episode Introduction & the Quarterly Review Concept** - Host Mariel Segara and guest Jill Slessinger frame the episode around the idea of doing a personal "quarterly review" like a company.
2 (02:26) **Why the Fourth Quarter is a Unique Opportunity** - Jill explains that the last 90 days of the year are a prime time for making impactful financial moves.
3 (03:50) **Step 1: Analyze Your Cash Flow** - The first key number to review is your cash flow—money coming in versus money going out over the past nine months.
4 (05:39) **Step 2: Create Your Personal Balance Sheet** - Jill explains how to calculate your net worth by listing what you own (savings, investments) and what you owe (debt).
5 (07:52) **The Danger of Automation & Why Cash Flow Matters Now** - Jill discusses how automated finances can create a distance from your own money, making a manual cash flow review essential.
6 (10:08) **Planning for the Unexpected** - Jill emphasizes that the most disruptive expenses are often unplanned, and a quarterly review helps you prepare for them.
7 (12:34) **Step 3: Calculate Your Personal Profit Margin** - Jill introduces the concept of profit margin as a tool to visualize your spending relative to your income over time.

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Guests on this episode

Mariel Segara

Show Notes

Many companies take a look at their financial picture on a quarterly basis. CBS News business analyst Jill Schlesinger thinks we can do the same for our personal finances. We may be in Q4, but Schlesinger says there's still time to make an impact.
This episode will get you back on track with your money goals and set you up for success in 2027.

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