January 1, 2026

Look back on 2025

As the year comes to a close, we have found ourselves reflecting not just on markets or milestones, but on the moments that reminded us why we do this work in the first place.

This year was not defined by a single headline or highlight. It was shaped by conversations, gatherings, learning moments, and shared experiences with clients and community. Some moments were joyful. Some were heavy. All of them mattered.

Client Stories and Milestones

One of the most meaningful parts of our work is being invited into our clients’ lives at important moments. This year, we walked alongside individuals and families through long anticipated retirements, new chapters just beginning, and decisions that required both clarity and courage.

We celebrated milestones when plans came together after years of preparation and when clients felt ready to move forward with confidence. These wins were never just financial. They represented peace of mind, freedom, and trust built over time.

We also shared in harder seasons. There were conversations shaped by uncertainty, grief, and change. Being present during those moments is a responsibility we do not take lightly. We are grateful for the trust clients place in us when life feels complicated and decisions feel heavy.

Progress That Happened Quietly

Not every meaningful moment showed up on a statement or spreadsheet. Much of the progress this year happened quietly through steady check-ins, small adjustments, and ongoing education.

Sometimes success looked like staying the course. Other times, it meant slowing down, reevaluating, or simply helping someone feel grounded during a volatile moment. This year reminded us that good financial planning is not about reacting quickly. It is about being thoughtful, steady, and aligned with what matters most.

Coming Together Through Events and Community

One of the highlights of this year was the time spent together in person. From educational workshops to client gatherings, these moments gave us the opportunity to connect beyond meetings and numbers.

The Christmas Gala stood out as a meaningful moment to gather, celebrate the season, and support a cause that reflects our values. Throughout the year, smaller events and conversations offered the same reminder that relationships are at the heart of everything we do.

These moments reinforced that financial planning is deeply personal and often best experienced in community.

Learning and Sharing Along the Way

Education continued to be a central part of this year. Through Fiat Focus, blogs, videos, and workshops, we worked to create space for learning that felt approachable and clear.

Our goal was never to predict the future. It was to help clients feel informed, confident, and empowered to make decisions aligned with their values. Each piece of content and every educational conversation was another opportunity to reduce noise and bring clarity.

The Joy in the In Between Moments

Amid the serious conversations, there was also plenty of joy. Laughter during meetings. Stories shared about family milestones, travel plans, new grandchildren, and long awaited dreams beginning to take shape.

These moments were reminders that behind every plan is a real life being lived. The work we do is not just about numbers. It is about people, values, and the seasons of life that unfold along the way.

Gratitude for Trust and Relationships

As we look back, what stands out most is gratitude. Gratitude for clients who trust us year after year. Gratitude for honest conversations, both easy and difficult. And gratitude for the opportunity to do work rooted in care, service, and long term thinking.

This year reinforced that our role is not just to provide guidance, but to listen well, stay present, and help people move forward with clarity and confidence, no matter the season.

Looking Ahead

As we step into the year ahead, we do so with appreciation for what this past year brought and a renewed commitment to the people we serve. We look forward to continuing the conversations, hosting meaningful gatherings, sharing education, and walking alongside our clients through whatever comes next.

To our clients and community, thank you for trusting us with your stories, your goals, and your journey. We are grateful to be part of it. We can't wait to see what 2026 holds!

Explore Fiat University.

Click the below tabs to access our different financial education content, events, and more:

Every Day is Saturday

Our job begins where most advisors stop—saving money is great, but how do you spend it without risk in retirement? Welcome to Every Day is Saturday with Brad Gotto and Matt Stahl, partners and private wealth managers at Fiat Wealth Management.

In this podcast we help guide you to think about your money in a practical sense and make the boring and complex financial decisions, fun, informative and educational. Join us on this journey where Brad and Matt will explore different strategies on how to spend your money without guilt and have peace of mind knowing you are spending it the optimal way in retirement.

You’ve saved money for a lifetime. Now it’s time to spend it.

In Spending Money and Having Fun, Retirement Income Certified Professional Brad Gotto teaches you how to be smart about spending so you can stop worrying and live the life you want. Old habits are hard to break, but Brad helps you embrace the counterintuitive and build new habits to support your next chapter. You’ll learn how to:

  • Change your mindset around spending

  • Create boundaries that buy you freedom

  • Gain peace of mind with concepts that take the guesswork out of your financial requirements

book