As we move through the year, there are some significant shifts happening in the financial landscape that could affect your budget. The good news? You don’t have to be caught off guard. By understanding what’s coming and planning ahead now, you can stay in control of your finances and adjust your strategy accordingly. Let’s walk through the key changes that might impact your money in the months ahead.

The Child Tax Credit is Changing

If you’ve been getting monthly payments from the expanded Child Tax Credit, this one’s important. In 2021, families received some pretty generous benefits—up to $3,600 per child under 6 and $3,000 for kids ages 6-16. Many families were counting on those extra monthly payments (averaging around $444) to help with their budget.

Here’s what you need to know: those monthly payments are ending. If this has been part of your income strategy, it’s time to adjust. The second half of your credit will still be available when you file your taxes, so you’re not losing the full benefit—but the monthly cushion is gone.

What to do about it: Pull up your budget and see where this money was going. Can you trim some expenses to make up for it? Are there subscriptions you’ve been meaning to cancel or non-essentials you can cut back on? Look for the easy wins first.

Renter Protections Are Expiring

If you’re renting, federal protections that were put in place during the pandemic have already expired. Depending on where you live, state or local protections might still be active—but they’re likely temporary and could end soon.

If you’re worried about making rent payments, don’t wait until the last minute. Start by getting familiar with your local tenant rights and protections. Reach out to your local legal aid organization or tenant resource center to understand what currently applies to you and when it might expire.

What to do about it: If rent is stretching your budget thin, explore what financial assistance might be available in your area. Then take a hard look at your expenses—housing stability is foundational to everything else, so it might be worth making cuts elsewhere to ensure you can cover rent.

Student Loan Payments Are Restarting

If you have federal student loans, the payment pause that started during the pandemic is coming to an end. With the average monthly payment sitting around $393, this is a big one to plan for.

This isn’t something to ignore or hope goes away. Once payments resume, they resume. The key is to get ahead of it by updating your information with your loan servicer and building this payment back into your monthly budget before it hits.

What to do about it: Check in with your loan servicer now. Make sure they have your current contact info, and get clarity on your exact payment amount and due date. Then start working it into your budget planning. If you use Piere, our AI can help you automate your loan payments so you don’t have to think about it—your money moves while you focus on what matters.

Your Game Plan: Stay Ahead, Not Behind

The common thread here? These changes all happen with your money and your budget. The best move you can make right now is to get intentional about what’s coming. Review your budget, identify where these impacts will hit hardest, and make adjustments on your timeline—not when you’re forced to.

This is exactly what personal finance planning is about: knowing what’s ahead and staying in control. You’ve got this.