A presidential transition always brings a mix of hope, uncertainty, and change. For many Americans, the first 100 days of Donald Trump’s presidency were no exception. As his administration rolled out its early policies and set the tone for its economic direction, households across the country began to wonder: What does this mean for my wallet? How should I plan, save, or invest in the middle of all this change?

While 100 days is a short time in the big picture, it’s long enough for people to start feeling the effects—or at least sensing the direction things are headed. Some of Trump’s early economic moves focused on deregulation, promises of tax reform, and bringing jobs back to American soil. These moves created both optimism and confusion, depending on who you asked and what industry you were in.

For many Americans, the financial question was less about Wall Street and more about Main Street. Were groceries going to get more expensive? Would health care premiums change? Would there be more jobs in their town or fewer? These are the kinds of financial realities people face every day, and any shift in federal policy tends to ripple into everyday life.

One of the earliest talking points in Trump’s administration was tax reform. While no sweeping changes had passed in the first 100 days, the administration made clear that lowering taxes—particularly for businesses and high-income earners—was a top priority. For some, this created a sense of financial optimism, especially among entrepreneurs and small business owners who hoped that less regulation and lower corporate taxes might make it easier to grow.

But on the personal side, the picture wasn’t as clear. Everyday investors, retirees, and working families were left trying to guess how these potential changes would affect their paychecks, retirement savings, and long-term plans. Many simply continued doing what they had always done: saving where they could, investing cautiously, and trying not to let the news cycle derail their personal financial goals.

Healthcare was another area of financial concern. The administration’s push to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act led to uncertainty about coverage, costs, and future benefits. For people who relied on the ACA for insurance, the early days of Trump’s presidency introduced a wave of financial anxiety. Some paused elective medical procedures or delayed doctor visits, unsure if they’d still have coverage in a few months. Financially, that kind of hesitation matters. When people aren’t sure about the costs of basic health care, they tend to hold onto their money, cut back on other spending, and delay important decisions.

Despite the uncertainty, the stock market responded favorably in the early days of the Trump administration. Investor confidence rose with the expectation of corporate tax cuts and deregulation. That momentum drove up share prices in many sectors, particularly in finance and manufacturing. For people already invested in the market—especially those with retirement accounts or long-term holdings—that bump was a welcome sign. But not everyone was in a position to benefit. Many lower- and middle-income families had little or no exposure to the stock market, and their financial lives were still being shaped by more local and personal economic forces.

Housing also became a mixed story. Mortgage rates inched up slightly during the first few months, as expectations of economic growth pushed interest rates higher. For homebuyers, that meant borrowing became a bit more expensive, even if prices in many areas remained stable. Renters, meanwhile, were still dealing with rising rents in many cities and a shortage of affordable housing. For many Americans, the goal of buying a home continued to feel just out of reach, regardless of who was sitting in the Oval Office.

One of the more underappreciated financial shifts during Trump’s early presidency was the change in tone around job creation. There was a renewed push to bring manufacturing back to the U.S. and to promote jobs that didn’t necessarily require a college degree. Whether or not those efforts would succeed wasn’t yet clear, but the rhetoric itself encouraged some Americans to reconsider their own career paths. Trade school programs and apprenticeships started to receive more attention, and people began asking new questions about job security and the value of traditional four-year degrees.

Through it all, what stood out most was that Americans, as they often do, adapted. They didn’t all agree on the politics, but most understood that managing money in uncertain times requires a steady hand. It meant sticking to budgets, not panicking over short-term changes, and trying to balance both short-term needs and long-term goals.

If there’s one lesson from the first 100 days of the Trump era, it’s that financial resilience isn’t just about reacting to every headline. It’s about having a plan, staying flexible, and remembering that personal finance is just that—personal. No president can change the basic building blocks of smart money management: spend less than you earn, save for the future, invest wisely, and don’t let uncertainty keep you from moving forward.

The political winds will always shift. Policies will come and go. But your personal financial journey is still within your control. The first 100 days of any administration are just the beginning. What matters more is the long-term plan you build for yourself, regardless of who’s in the White House.