Charlottesville, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Jill Schlesinger, CBS News business analyst, joined WINA Morning News to provide practical financial advice as the end of the year approaches. Addressing listeners, she emphasized the importance of planning ahead to avoid the holiday rush and ensure financial readiness for tax season. 

“I used to do these segments much later in the year, and then I realized I’m not giving people enough time to do what they need to do,” said Schlesinger, emphasizing the importance of early financial planning. She highlighted the IRS’s withholding estimator, a free online tool designed to help taxpayers assess whether they’ve set aside sufficient funds for their upcoming tax obligations. “It’s a good thing to do just to see where you stand,” she added, noting that correcting withholding amounts now can prevent unexpected tax bills or penalties in April. 

Schlesinger also highlighted the benefits of adjusting retirement contributions. “If you’ve got some extra money floating around, a great idea…is to put more money in your retirement account. It’s a great way to ensure you’re not going to spend like crazy when it comes time for the holidays,” she explained. 

For more tips and resources, she directed listeners to her website, Jillonmoney.com, adding that focusing on financial wellness now could pay off significantly in the future. 

 Listen here for the full conversation: