As families across the country gather around the table this Thanksgiving, it’s a time for connection, reflection, and gratitude. But beyond the turkey and traditions, this season offers something more — a powerful reminder of what matters most as you plan for and live through retirement.

Whether you’re newly retired or preparing to take that step in the next few years, Thanksgiving can serve as an unexpected but meaningful lens for financial clarity. Here’s how gratitude and smart planning go hand-in-hand.

1. Gratitude Sharpens Priorities

Retirement isn’t just about dollars and cents — it’s about what those dollars are for. Time with loved ones. Travel. Giving back. Peace of mind.

When you reflect on what you’re most thankful for, it naturally helps clarify your long-term goals. That clarity is the foundation of a meaningful retirement plan — and it helps ensure your wealth is aligned with your values.

Ask yourself: What do I want to protect, preserve, or pass on? What lifestyle do I truly want to maintain? Gratitude brings those answers into focus.

2. Big Decisions Deserve Big Conversations

Thanksgiving often brings multiple generations together — and while you might not want to talk taxes over pumpkin pie, it can be the right time to start thinking about legacy planning.

Maybe that means reviewing your estate plan. Maybe it’s considering how to set up charitable giving strategies. Or maybe it’s simply making sure your children know your wishes. Gratitude fuels these conversations — and smart planning keeps them from becoming future stress points.

3. The End of the Year = Prime Planning Season

Thanksgiving marks the final stretch of the year — and for retirees, it’s one of the most strategic times to take action:

• Tax-loss harvesting to reduce capital gains

• Roth conversions before income thresholds reset in January

• Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) that must be taken by year-end

• Charitable contributions that can reduce taxable income

• Reviewing Medicare decisions during open enrollment (which ends in early December)

Smart moves made now could lead to major savings — and more freedom to enjoy the things you’re thankful for.

4. Thankfulness Builds Financial Confidence

Retirement isn’t just about how much you have—it’s about how confident you feel using it. Practicing gratitude helps you focus on what’s working, not just what’s uncertain.

And when paired with a proactive financial strategy, that thankfulness becomes empowering. You’re not just coasting through retirement. You’re owning it.

Final Thought: Make This Season Count

As you reflect on your blessings this Thanksgiving, consider how they’re supported by the plans you put in place—or the ones you’ve been meaning to.

At Matthew James Tax & Wealth Management, we help retirees like you protect what matters most. This season of gratitude is the perfect time to take stock — and take action.

Because true financial freedom means being able to focus on what you’re thankful for—not what you’re worried about.