When is the best time of year to do my financial review?

The best time is whenever you'll actually do it consistently, but a few windows work especially well. Late fall (October to December) lets you make year-end tax moves like tax-loss harvesting, extra retirement contributions, or charitable giving before December 31, and it lines up with open enrollment for health and other benefits. Early January suits people who like a fresh-start ritual and want to set goals for the year. Some prefer their birthday as an easy-to-remember anchor. Whatever you pick, put it on the calendar as a recurring appointment so it doesn't slip. You can also do lighter quarterly check-ins to rebalance and track net worth, reserving the deep review for once a year. Consistency beats timing.