Financial Planning Strategies with the Number 250

 

The numbers “2,” “5,” and “0” are hot this year as we celebrate our country’s founding 250 years ago in 1776. Upcoming events celebrating the big “250” got me thinking…why not “double dip”:  celebrate America’s birthday in 2026 and improve our personal finances at the same time? 

A bit far-fetched? Maybe. But consider the following examples that include the number 250 or variants of it:

Small Savings- Save 25 cents a day and you’ll have $91.25 at year’s end. This is a great goal for children, perhaps with parental matching or a year-end “top off” to $100. Of course, higher amounts of coin can also be saved such as 50 cents per day ($182.50 at year end).

 

Higher Savings- Save $2.50 a day and you’ll have $912.50 at year’s end, plus interest. Some people use change jars or piggy banks for daily savings. Save $250 per month and you’ll have $3,000 at year’s end, plus interest.

 

Increased Retirement Savings- Consider increasing your contribution to a tax-deferred retirement plan by 2% or 5%. The easiest time to do this is when you get a salary increase or when a household expense, like child care or tuition or a car loan, ends.

 

Save Your Tax Refund- The average income tax refund in 2025 was $2,942 but let’s use $2,500 as an example. It’s close enough and fits the theme. If you save $2,500 a year for 10 years and earn 7% interest, you’ll have over $34,000 in 2036.

 

Invest Automatically- Sign up for a mutual fund automatic investment plan and authorize the mutual fund to debit your bank account monthly by $25, $50, or $250 to purchase shares. You can also do this with over a thousand publicly traded companies that sell stock directly to investors. 

 

Slash Your Debt- Pay more than the minimum due on credit cards…in multiples of “2,” “5,” and “0,” of course. For example, pay $25 more or $250 more than you are currently paying to dig out of debt. The avalanche method prioritizes paying off debts with the highest interest rates first, regardless of the balance. The snowball method prioritizes paying off debts with the smallest balances first, regardless of the interest rates.

 

This 250^th anniversary thing is catching, isn’t it?

 

In honor of America’s milestone birthday, I’m issuing all of my Money Talk blog readers a challenge: take one or more actions that are relevant to your life to improve your finances in 2026 in honor of our county’s 250^th anniversary.

 

I’ve given you six ideas that include the numbers “2,” “5,” and “0” to get started. There are also others including the $2,500 Savings Challenge, the Rule of 25, and the 50/25/25 budget rule.

 

Happy 250^th America! As we celebrate our country’s independence throughout 2026, let’s also work to improve our own individual financial independence. You can do it! One small step at a time.

 

This post provides general personal finance or consumer decision-making information and does not address all the variables that apply to an individual’s unique situation. It does not endorse specific products or services and should not be construed as legal or financial advice. If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought.