OPTIMUM INSIGHTS – February 2026

It’s Tax Season for 2025 - Deadlines Are Approaching!

The 2025 tax filing season is officially underway, and that means it’s time to double‑check your retirement account contributions. If you're planning to fund a Traditional IRA or Roth IRA for the 2025 tax year, now is the time to take action.

📊 2025 IRA Contribution Limits (Traditional & Roth IRAs)

• Under Age 50: $7,000

• Age 50 or Older: $8,000 (includes the $1,000 catch‑up allowance)

• These limits apply across all IRAs combined (Traditional + Roth).

Source: IRS – IRA Contribution Limits (https://www.irs.gov/retirement-plans/plan-participant-employee/retirement-topics-ira-contribution-limits)

⏳ Don’t Wait Until the Deadline

Last‑minute funding attempts increase the risk of missing custodian processing cut‑off times and add unnecessary stress. Submitting contributions early ensures they are credited properly.

🤝 We’re Here to Help

If you have any questions about contribution rules, tax‑year deadlines, or retirement planning in general, please reach out. We’re always happy to assist.

Thank you!

TRAVEL SMARTER IN RETIREMENT

A recent Kiplinger article, 15 Money-Saving Travel Tips for Retirees, highlights how retirees can explore new destinations without overspending. By focusing on a few core strategies and keeping everyday costs in check, travel can remain both enjoyable and budget-conscious.

WATCH CURRENCY AND TIMING

Kiplinger notes that changes in currency values can significantly affect travel costs. When the U.S. dollar is strong relative to local currencies, everyday expenses abroad may feel more affordable. In addition, retirees who plan ahead by tracking airfare trends rather than booking too early may be better positioned to recognize a good deal when it appears.

BE FLEXIBLE WITH FLIGHTS

Flying midweek or at off-peak times can often reduce airfare. Being open to departing from alternative airports may also uncover lower fares, even if it requires a short connecting flight. Flexibility, one of retirement’s greatest perks, can translate directly into savings.

AVOID UNNECESSARY FEES

Foreign transaction fees and ATM charges can quietly add up while traveling. Using credit cards without foreign transaction fees and understanding your bank’s ATM policies before departure may help minimize avoidable costs.

MORE WAYS TO SAVE ON THE ROAD

Kiplinger also suggests these additional strategies:

Use rewards credit cards to earn points or miles
Skip car rentals when public transit or rideshares are available
Consider vacation rentals, hostels, or house-sitting
Shop at grocery stores or local markets for some meals
Leverage memberships like AAA for discounts
Ask about upgrades or waived hotel fees
Connect with locals instead of booking pricey tours
Travel during shoulder seasons
Compare lodging outside city centers
Consider travel and health insurance for added protection

SOURCE

https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/spending/leisure/travel/604132/a-penny-pinchers-guide-to-travel

WHAT WE’RE READING

At least, spring is so close you can see it on the horizon! But luckily, we’ve kept ourselves busy this winter by staying up to date on the financial news. Here’s some of our favorite recent news pieces:

As we age, speaking to our children and other loved ones about our health, finances, and other important matters can be challenging, but a U.S. News and World Report article, The Talk You Need to Have With Your Kids has some useful tips.
For many retirees and near retirees, Social Security is an essential component of their broader financial strategy, so the USA Today article, Don’t forget this Social Security rule that could cost you thousands, is a must read.
If you’re curious about what exactly Federal Reserve rate cuts can mean for your finances in both the short-term and long-term, this Yahoo! Finance article, How a Fed rate cut affects your bank accounts, loans, credit cards, and investments, has some answers.
It’s no secret that healthcare costs are rising, which can cause financial anxiety for both younger workers and workers close to retirement. A CNBC article, Higher health-care costs force financial trade-offs: Investors ‘worry about all these moving pieces’ top advisor says, dives into the topic.
How about a bit of good news? An AARP article, Second Round of Medicare-Negotiated Price Cuts Expected to Save Billions in Drug Costs in 2027, describes how you might be able to save a bit of money in the near future.

SOURCES

https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/articles/the-important-talk-to-have-with-your-kids-as-you-age

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2025/12/12/dont-forget-this-social-security-rule/87657648007/

https://finance.yahoo.com/personal-finance/banking/article/how-a-fed-rate-cut-affects-your-bank-accounts-loans-credit-cards-and-investments-220526212.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/01/-health-care-expenses-trade-offs.html

https://www.aarp.org/medicare/medicare-2027-drug-price-negotiations-list/

Links to third-party articles are provided for convenience; we do not control or guarantee the accuracy of third-party content, and such links should not be viewed as an endorsement.

RED VELVET TRUFFLES

Bite-sized and irresistible, these festive treats start with moist red velvet cake mixed with cream cheese, rolled into balls, and dipped in creamy white chocolate. They add a pop of color to your dessert table and are perfect for Valentine’s Day, parties, or whenever you want a sweet, elegant confection.

Let's Get Cooking

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Ph: (603) 357-1084
Email: info@optimumfhb.com
Web: http://optfinancial.com/

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This award was issued on 09/01/2025 by Five Star Professional (FSP) for the time period 12/25/2024 through 07/18/2025. Fee paid for use of marketing materials. Self-completed questionnaire was used for rating. This rating is not related to the quality of the investment advice and based solely on the disclosed criteria. 1183 New Hampshire-area wealth managers were considered for the award; 82 (7 % of candidates) were named 2025 Five Star Wealth Managers. The following prior year statistics use this format: YEAR: # Considered, # Winners, % of candidates, Issued Date, Research Period. 2024: 1,094, 87, 8%, 9/1/24, 12/12/23 - 7/9/24; 2023: 1,017, 89, 9%, 9/1/23, 12/12/22 - 6/30/23; 2022: 979, 87, 9%, 9/1/22, 12/20/21 - 6/17/22; 2021: 943, 96, 10%, 9/1/21, 11/30/20 - 6/25/21; 2020: 928, 91, 10%, 9/1/20, 12/9/19 - 7/1/20; 2019: 928, 85, 9%, 9/1/19, 11/19/18 - 7/10/19; 2018: 955, 74, 8%, 9/1/18, 12/26/17 - 7/17/18; 2017: 739, 89, 12%, 9/1/17, 12/27/16 - 7/6/17; 2016: 666, 158, 24%, 8/1/16, 2/6/16 - 7/19/16; 2015: 853, 166, 19%, 9/1/15, 2/6/15 - 7/19/15; 2014: 1045, 189, 18%, 9/1/14, 2/6/14 - 7/19/14; 2013: 1049, 204, 19%, 9/1/13, 2/6/13 - 7/19/13; 2012: 743, 170, 23%, 9/1/12, 2/6/12 - 7/19/12. Wealth managers do not pay a fee to be considered or placed on the final list of Five Star Wealth Managers. The award is based on 10 objective criteria. Eligibility criteria - required: 1. Credentialed as a registered investment adviser (RIA) or a registered investment adviser representative; 2. Actively licensed as a RIA or as a principal of a registered investment adviser firm for a minimum of 5 years; 3. Favorable regulatory and complaint history review (As defined by FSP, the wealth manager has not; A. Been subject to a regulatory action that resulted in a license being suspended or revoked, or payment of a fine; B. Had more than a total of three settled or pending complaints filed against them and/or a total of five settled, pending, dismissed or denied complaints with any regulatory authority or FSP's consumer complaint process. Unfavorable feedback may have been discovered through a check of complaints registered with a regulatory authority or complaints registered through FSP's consumer complaint process; feedback may not be representative of any one client's experience; C. Individually contributed to a financial settlement of a customer complaint; D. Filed for personal bankruptcy within the past 11 years; E. Been terminated from a financial services firm within the past 11 years; F. Been convicted of a felony); 4. Fulfilled their firm review based on internal standards; 5. Accepting new clients. Evaluation criteria - considered: 6. One-year client retention rate; 7. Five-year client retention rate; 8. Non-institutional discretionary and/or non-discretionary client assets administered; 9. Number of client households served; 10. Education and professional designations. FSP does not evaluate quality of services provided to clients. The award is not indicative of the wealth manager's future performance. Wealth managers may or may not use discretion in their practice and therefore may not manage their clients' assets. The inclusion of a wealth manager on the Five Star Wealth Manager list should not be construed as an endorsement of the wealth manager by FSP or this publication. Working with a Five Star Wealth Manager or any wealth manager is no guarantee as to future investment success, nor is there any guarantee that the selected wealth managers will be awarded this accomplishment by FSP in the future. Visit www.fivestarprofessional.com.

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