SUMMARY: A few quick financial check-ins now can help you start 2027 feeling organized and in control. Here are five tasks worth adding to your year-end to-do list, from holiday budgeting to pulling your credit report.

Make a plan for holiday spending.

The holidays have a way of sneaking up on your budget. Before the shopping starts, set a number for gifts, travel and get-togethers, and decide where that money’s coming from. Going in with a plan now beats untangling a January credit card bill later.

If you need a little extra breathing room, our Holiday Loan offers up to $1,500 this year. Eligible members can apply online, get an instant decision and could have funds in their account the same day.

And this season, your shopping might pay off with a chance to win $2,000. Through the end of the year, every eligible purchase you make with your debit card counts as an entry in our $2K for the Holidays drawing.* There’s no form to fill out and nothing extra to do. Just swipe, tap or pay with your digital wallet like you already do, and each purchase adds another chance to win.  

Review (or name) your beneficiaries.

No one wants to think about the big goodbye, but this is one of those small tasks that can make a big difference for the people you love.

Take a few minutes to review the beneficiaries on your retirement accounts, life insurance policies, credit union and bank accounts, and investments. You can set or update beneficiaries at American Airlines Federal Credit Union online, by mailing in a form or by visiting a branch.

It’s especially worth revisiting after a major life change, like a marriage, divorce, new baby or the loss of a spouse. And as an added bonus, if you update them in next couple of months, you’ll be entered in a drawing for a chance to take home an extra $1,000.

Check in on your savings.

Think back to when you first chose your retirement savings rate. Does that number still fit your life today? Before you simply bump it up, think about what you actually want retirement to look like. Once you have a target in mind, a contribution calculator like the one on the Credit Union’s site can help you find a savings rate that makes sense for that goal.

Then take a look at your emergency savings. An unexpected car repair or medical bill is a lot less stressful when you’ve got a cushion to fall back on. If building that cushion feels overwhelming, start small. Setting up an automatic transfer of even $25 a paycheck adds up, and small wins are a lot easier to stick with than one big goal. If you don’t have anything currently set up, look into creating an Emergency Funds Savings Account.

Pull your credit report.

Unless you’re applying for credit, you may have no idea what’s on your credit report, or whether someone’s using your identity to open accounts in your name. You can get free reports from all three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian and TransUnion) at annualcreditreport.com.

Members also enjoy free access to their credit report and credit score in addition to analysis and daily monitoring of key changes to their credit line. To access it, log into your account through online banking.

Once you have your report, scan it for accounts you don’t recognize and old accounts you no longer use. Think of it as a financial wellness check. A little time spent reviewing the details now can help you understand what lenders will see the next time you need credit.

Make sure you’re not leaving money on the table.

It’s easy to miss out on money that’s already yours for the taking. Take insurance, for example. When you buy a car or move into a new home, it’s tempting to set your coverage and forget it, paying the renewals without much thought. But a few phone calls can turn up real savings or better coverage. Start with your current carrier and ask about loyalty discounts or affinity pricing through your employer or groups you belong to. If they can’t help, shop around.

The same goes for perks you might already qualify for. The Credit Union is always looking for new ways to show how we value your business with quarterly offers designed to help you make the most of your membership with us.  

* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER AND WIN. ODDS OF WINNING DEPEND ON NUMBER OF ENTRIES RECEIVED. Promotion valid between 10/01/2026 and 12/31/2026, and open to all legal consumer residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are Credit Union members in good standing and at least 18 years of age, except as set forth in the Official Rules. One prize of $2,000 USD will be awarded and deposited to Prize Winner’s primary share account. Promotion subject to Official Rules available at AACreditUnion.org/globalassets/documents/2026-2k-for-the-holidays-official-rules or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope postmarked by 12/31/2026, to American Airlines Federal Credit Union, Attn: Marketing Department/$2K for the Holidays Drawing Promotion, MD 2100, P.O. Box 619001, DFW Airport, TX 75261-9001. Void in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, U.S. military installations in foreign countries and where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.