6 Financial Advisor Blog Ideas for December
November 1, 2024
What should financial marketers talk about this month? Our monthly roundup has you covered with timely topics for blog posts, social media campaigns, and other marketing ideas.
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Topic #1: Holiday spending in full swing
Consumers plan to spend $985 on average on gifts, entertainment, and travel this holiday season, a 20% increase over 2020.
The angle
- Holiday spending can sometimes be a bit of a blur, and many consumers end up taking on more debt than they intended.
- Buy now, pay later is also back in a big way. From PayPal to Apple, practically every financial service offers an extended pay option.
- No one actually wants to go into debt over the holidays. This year, help those last-minute shoppers with ideas on how they can save money, cut back on impulse gift buys, and avoid debt traps.
Blog inspiration
- 10 Ways to Save Money During the Holidays (Bankrate)
- How to Build a Holiday Budget (Fortune)
- 7 Easy Ways to Save Money, Even While Planning for the Holidays (Yahoo!)
Topic #2: ‘Tis the season for charitable giving
December is the season of giving to charity, and while many people do so out of the goodness of their hearts, it doesn’t hurt that there may be a tax deduction involved.
The angle
- While most people are in a giving spirit this time of year, your audience will appreciate tips on how to maximize tax deductions from those donations.
- Be sure they’re aware of the year-end donation cut-off for tax season.
- Describe potential pitfalls to avoid as well as ways to maximize donation deductions. Many givers, especially younger generations, may not realize that popular online donation platforms don’t always result in a tax break.
Blog inspiration
- Tax Deductible Donations: Rules for Giving to Charity, How to Get a Deduction (NerdWallet)
- Donations: 5 Ways to Maximize Your Tax Deduction (Investopedia)
- 7 Feel-Good Tax Breaks: Ways to Get Back When You Give (TurboTax)
Topic #3: Retirement contribution deadlines
December is always a good time to take stock of investments — particularly retirement accounts, which come with a few important year-end deadlines.
The angle
- Explain to your audience how to make key moves before year-end to maximize their retirement contributions.
- Tax rules can be complicated. Show off your know-how with an explainer on how to navigate it all.
- And don’t forget to use your blog, email blasts, and social media accounts to make your audience aware of upcoming deadlines — they’ll appreciate it.
Blog inspiration
- IRA Contribution Limits for 2024 (Forbes)
- Didn’t Max Out Your IRA This Year? There’s Still Time in 2022 (CNBC)
- 6 Tips for Last-Minute IRA Contributions (Morningstar)
Topic #4: The year in review
Financial markets have been on a wild ride the past few years, and 2023 was no exception. Before we look ahead to 2024 predictions and outlooks, it’s worth looking for learnings in the year we just had.
The angle
- Investment companies can use this opportunity to recap some of the biggest financial stories of the year.
- Consumer brands and advisors can encourage their audiences to conduct their own financial year-end review to see where they stand, what they still need to accomplish, and plan for next year.
Blog inspiration
- 14 Essential Personal Finance Checks To Do Before The End Of The Year (Forbes)
- Financial Review and Planning Checklist (Women Who Money)
5 Financial Things to Review Annually (Fidelity)
Topic #5: New Year’s resolutions
Fun fact: Nearly half of us make New Year’s resolutions, but only 9% actually see it through. Despite that sobering statistic, New Year’s resolutions are a great way to set goals — especially financial ones.
The angle
- New Year’s resolutions largely fail because the goals we set for ourselves are too broad or too large. Consumer brands and advisors can help their audience create manageable money goals they can actually achieve.
- Consider breaking down larger goals — like building an emergency fund or maximizing 401(k) contributions — into smaller, manageable chunks to help keep readers motivated.
- Some topics are perfect for quick and punchy blog posts. We love a listicle for New Year’s resolutions.
Blog inspiration
- Financial New Year’s Resolutions You Can Keep (Investopedia)
- New Year’s Financial Resolutions (Charles Schwab)
- New Year Money Resolutions: 9 Tips to Reach Your Financial Goals (Debt.com)
Topic #6: Year-end bonus strategies
As the year draws to a close, many professionals eagerly anticipate their year-end bonuses. Financial marketers can provide valuable insights to their audience by covering year-end bonus strategies in their blogs.
The angle
- Whether it’s building an emergency fund, paying off high-interest debt, or investing for the future, the blog can provide a step-by-step guide on how to prioritize and allocate these funds effectively.
- Discuss tax-saving investment options, contributions to retirement accounts, or other tax-friendly strategies that can help readers minimize their tax liability while maximizing the impact of their bonuses.
- Provide tips on setting aside a portion for personal enjoyment while emphasizing the importance of responsible financial planning.
Blog inspiration
- 7 Smart Ways to Spend Your Year-End Bonus (Northwestern Mutual)
- A Year-End Bonus Can Deliver Many Returns (Robert Half)
- 5 Strategies to Use a Bonus or Raise (Morgan Stanley)
Want to look further ahead? Download our Financial Marketing Calendar to stay up-to-date on financial events and themes all year-round.
