Do you know that feeling you get after you’ve completed a thorough spring cleaning on your home? Have you ever considered using the same practice with your finances? An annual financial spring cleaning is a great way to get organized and set yourself up for a successful financial future.
Just like any cleaning project, making a list to help you tackle each item one step at a time will help you stay focused and reduce anxiety. Here is an easy-to-follow to-do list for effective financial spring cleaning:
1. Review your budget. Review your income, expenses, and savings to assess where your money is going. Make necessary adjustments to your budget to make sure you are allocating your funds appropriately.
2. Check your credit report. Order your credit report from one of the credit bureaus and review it for errors. If there are any errors, take the necessary steps to correct them.
3. Review your investment portfolio. Where are your investments? Gather all investments, personal and retirement funds, and review to make sure that you are still comfortable with the level of risk you are taking. Rebalance your portfolio if necessary to keep it in line with your investment goals.
4. Evaluate your life insurance coverage. Review your life insurance coverage to make sure you have adequate coverage for your needs. Consider increasing your coverage if necessary and make sure your beneficiaries are up to date. You can learn more about Life Insurance offered through Royal Neighbors here: https://www.royalneighbors.org/products
5. Purge your paperwork. Get rid of any paperwork that is no longer needed, such as old bank statements, or utility bills. Be sure to shred any documents that contain personal or sensitive information.
6. Check your subscriptions and memberships. Review your subscriptions and cancel any that you no longer need or use. This could include things like gym memberships, streaming or cable services, phone applications, or magazine subscriptions.
7. Organize your tax documents and file your taxes on time. This will help you avoid any penalties and interest charges.
By following these seven steps, you can set yourself up for a stronger financial future. Financial spring cleaning may take some time, but it can be a great investment in your financial well-being.
This article is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any information provided as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. No reader should make any investment decision without first consulting his or her own financial advisor and conducting his or her own research and due diligence.
TRN00037 Rev. 3-2023
