Pay yourself first and automate savings
Kuntal Bhansali, Founder of Fydaa, emphasises starting with disciplined savings. “
Most people save what remains at the end of the month. Instead, transfer 10-20% of your income to a savings or investment account at the start of the month,” he says.
Bhansali also suggests the “Two Transfer Method”—moving a portion of income on day one and the remaining surplus mid-month—and small daily or weekly transfers to high-interest accounts to build consistent savings.
Audit spending and avoid hidden costs
Experts recommend reviewing recurring expenses, subscriptions, and EMIs before the year ends.
Bhansali notes, “Turn off unnecessary auto-payments and pay off high-interest debts to avoid surprises at month-end.”
He also encourages converting impulsive spending into investing: channel the same amount you would spend on discretionary purchases into liquid funds or other savings instruments.
Reflect, review, and set goals
Sarvjeet Virk, Co-founder and MD of Finvasia, highlights the importance of evaluating past financial behaviour.
“Understanding your spending patterns and how you respond to different situations makes it easier to set realistic goals for the year ahead,” he says.
Experts recommend creating fixed monthly contributions, leveraging technology for budgeting, and using AI-powered tools for personalised insights on spending and savings.
Practical advice for young professionals and families
Bikash Kumar Mishra, CFO of Easy Home Finance, points out that young professionals should focus on building a steady financial buffer and reviewing monthly non-essential expenses such as food delivery, subscriptions, and online spending. Homeowners can reduce interest burden by part-prepaying EMIs or checking whether current loan rates remain competitive.
Early planning for tax-saving investments under Section 80C, NPS contributions, and retirement savings ensures smoother cash flow and reduces last-minute financial stress.
Protection, growth, and strategic planning for all individuals
Nitin Mehta, Chief Distribution Officer at Bharti AXA Life Insurance, recommends focusing on three pillars: protection, savings, and growth.
“Check if your life insurance cover is adequate, reassess the sum assured, and step up premiums if necessary. Confirm retirement plans are on track, maximise tax benefits through ELSS, NPS, or insurance premiums, and use year-end surpluses to close protection gaps or fund 2026 goals,” he says.
UHNI families: Building long-term wealth momentum
Anirudha Taparia, Founder & CEO of Nexedge Capital, outlines a strategic year-end checklist for ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UNHI):
- Beyond section 80C: Conduct a detailed tax architecture review, covering NPS contributions, capital gains harvesting, charitable donations under 80G, and cross-border tax implications for global mobility. Business owners can also assess corporate structuring efficiencies.
- Portfolio rebalancing: With strong equity returns in 2025, cautious rebalancing is essential. Right-size equity exposure, increase allocation to alternatives and real estate as suitable, and ensure portfolios reflect both long-term objectives and current market realities.
- Governance checklist: Year-end is ideal for reviewing succession and estate planning, updating wills, trusts, and family governance frameworks, auditing insurance and nominee details, and factoring in tax/residency implications for international moves.