As you prepare for the holiday season, the to-do list seems to be endless. It can be overwhelming at times, but knowing the joy that comes with it makes all the hard work worth the effort. This holiday season, I want to encourage you to revisit your finances before the year is out. It will take some work, but similar to your holiday to-do list, it will be worth the effort in the end. Below you’ll find a comprehensive checklist to guide you through the process.
Review Your Financial Goals
Take a moment to reflect on the goals you set for yourself in 2024. If you accomplished your goals, celebrate the wins, and use the momentum when planning for the new year. If you came up short of your goals, that’s okay, learn from it and make the adjustments you need to accomplish your 2025 goals. A few good metrics to measure year over year are your net worth, savings rate, credit score, and investment return. While reflecting on this year’s goals, it can serve as a good opportunity to begin setting new goals for the upcoming year.
Plan Your Budget
Before you start to plan your budget for the new year, go back and review your spending throughout this past year. Check to see if you stuck to your budget and look for areas of overspending as well as areas where you underspent, such as investment contributions or emergency savings. This can also be a great time to review your subscription services and cancel unused or unnecessary subscriptions. After reviewing your spending, adjust your budget for increased expenses, new goals, and changes in your income.
Tax Planning
Begin to gather the documents you will need to file your taxes for this year. You won’t have all the necessary documents, but getting a head start can help you stay organized as tax documents arrive. Additionally, consider working with your tax preparer to review any actions you should take before year-end.
Retirement Accounts
Review your contributions to retirement accounts such as your personal IRA or Roth IRA as well as your company-sponsored retirement plan. If you have not maxed out these accounts and would like to, make an additional contribution before the year is out. This is also a good time to increase your contributions for the year to come. If you are required to take a minimum distribution from your retirement account, make certain the required amount is distributed before year-end.
Investment Portfolio
Analyze your investment portfolio to ensure it is still in line with your investment objective and matches your risk tolerance. If necessary, you may want to rebalance your portfolio if the purpose of your investment or timeline has changed. Additionally, consider automating your investment contributions to help you systematically invest throughout the year.
Liquidity
Check to make sure your emergency fund is adequately funded. A good rule of thumb is to aim for 3-6 months of living expenses in a liquid and accessible low-risk account. For business owners, this amount may need to be closer to a year’s worth of living expenses. If you are expecting a large expense for the year, go ahead and set that money aside and earmark it for the expense.
Insurance Review
Take some time to look over the various insurance policies you own. A few to review are your health, home, auto, life, disability, and long-term care insurance policies. When reviewing these policies, check to make sure your coverage is sufficient and you are receiving an appropriate rate for your coverage.
Estate Planning
While you’re working on your financial checklist, review your current estate documents to make sure they are up-to-date. Additionally, share with your loved ones where they can find your estate documents. If you do not have estate documents in place, consider working with the right professionals to help you accomplish this goal in the new year.
Prepare for Any New Changes
As this year comes to a close, reflect on another year in the books and take a moment of gratitude for all that has happened in the past year. If you anticipate a major life change in the new year such as marriage, buying a home, or having children, begin planning for how it will impact your finances.
Our team believes that utilizing a checklist like the one above can help you wrap up the year by organizing your finances, preparing for tax season, and positioning yourself for a financially successful new year.
-by Jacob Young, AAMS®
Financial Advisor, RJFS
313 East 10th Ave. • Bowling Green, KY 42101 • Phone: 270-846-2656
Ben Smith Life Compass Financial is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Securities offered through Raymond James Financial Services, Inc. Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advisory services offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc.
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