McRae: 2025 Reflection
By Treasurer David McRae
As the 2025 season comes to a close, it’s natural to pause and reflect on the year behind us. Some of us look back with pride at what we accomplished. Others may simply be grateful for what we made it through. Either way, this slower season gives us a chance to take stock, learn from the past year, and set thoughtful goals for the one ahead.
When we look back, hindsight is always clearer. It’s easy to spot where we may have overspent, where we didn’t save as much as we hoped, or where we wish we had made different choices. But reflection shouldn’t be about regret. It should be about learning. Those missed benchmarks and small missteps can become lessons that help guide smarter decisions going forward.
I’ve seen that firsthand at the State Treasury. For years, Mississippi’s investments earned an average of about $39 million annually. After taking a hard look at our approach and making strategic adjustments, those same investments now average roughly $187 million a year. That progress didn’t happen by accident. It came from evaluating past results, learning what worked, and making disciplined changes to move forward.
The same principle applies at home. Family plans change over time. Over the past year, your family’s goals may have shifted, or your household may have grown. Taking time at the end of the year to reassess where you are and where you want to be helps ensure your plans still match your future.
At the Treasury, we offer tools designed to help Mississippi families plan ahead. The MPACT plan allows families to lock in today’s tuition rates and prepay college costs. Mississippi College & Career Savings accounts can be used for tuition, education expenses, and career or workforce training. These programs are practical ways to turn long-term goals into achievable plans. You can learn more at treasury.ms.gov/collegesavings.
As the days get shorter and the pace of life slows down, I encourage you to take time to reevaluate your financial standing and set realistic goals for the year ahead. Small adjustments can make a big difference over time. Stay focused, stay disciplined, and keep your long-term goals in sight.
From my family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Mississippi Treasurer David McRae is the 55th Treasurer for the State of Mississippi. In this role, he helps manage the state’s cash flow, oversees College and Career Savings Mississippi, and has returned more than $140 million in unclaimed money to Mississippians. For more information, visit Treasury.MS.gov.
