By Nathaniel Sillin
When was the last time you made a financial resolution on New Year’s Eve? If you can’t remember, you’re in good company.
The Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America’s annual New Year’s resolutions survey (https://www.allianzlife.com/about/news-and-events for 2014 reported that 49 percent of respondents said that health and wellness were their first priorities for the coming year, up from 43 percent in 2013. Only 30 percent ranked financial stability as their top goal for the year.
In 2016, maybe it’s time to push financial fitness to the top of your list by creating an annual financial calendar that helps you save, spend and invest a little smarter. Here are some suggestions to build your calendar:
Set three important money goals for the year. Three money goals may not sound like a lot, but if you’ve never thought about money goals before, establishing these targets can make a major difference in your financial life. Set goals that address key money concerns or serve as a springboard for a solid financial future. Choose what makes sense for you, but here are three basic goals to start with:
- Create or reset your budget. If you’ve never made a budget before, spend a month or two tracking everything you spend. Review your findings closely and see whether you’re spending less than you earn. If not, determine if you can cut spending to direct more funds to meet key goals. If you already have a budget, consider reevaluating your finances to see where you could cut costs.
- Build an emergency fund. An emergency fund (http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/emergencyfund) contains between three to six months of living expenses you can draw upon only in a real financial emergency such as unemployment, illness or a major unplanned expense.
- Save for something special. Make one of your three goals a fun goal – a vacation, a new bike, a wardrobe upgrade – something that feels like a reward.
Here are calendar items that might help you reach those goals.
Make sure you note staggered receipt dates for each of your three free credit reports (https://www.annualcreditreport.com) from Experian, TransUnion and Equifax so you can keep a steady eye on your credit and spot irregularities if they happen.
Prevent severe money surprises by marking key repair or replacement dates on home, appliance and other personal expenses that might be coming up in the future. Use the time you have now to schedule inspections and estimates for each so you’ll be able to start setting aside funds in advance.
Retirement readiness is another key calendar item. At least once a year, consider reviewing your holdings in retirement or investment accounts to make sure they’re still performing as you’ve planned or if not, whether you need to restructure the investments in your portfolio.
Put the open enrollment dates for employer- or self-employment benefits on your calendar and then mark a date several weeks before to allow you to start thinking through necessary changes. The way you choose employer or self-employment benefits is a key part of your financial planning and should intersect with other independent money decisions you’re making for yourself and your family.
Insurance renewal dates are important to mark as well. If you’re not comparison-shopping for the auto, homeowners or health insurance coverage you buy on your own, there’s a good possibility you’re losing out on money, service or coverage.
Set two dates each year to review your overall finances. You might consider dates in June and November to see how you’re doing with budget, savings, spending, investment and tax issues. The June date is for corrective actions; the November date is to determine the last-minute spending, savings or tax moves you want to make before December 31 and to set financial goals for the New Year. If you work with a qualified financial or tax expert, consider involving him or her in the conversation.
Bottom line: If you use a calendar or datebook to keep on schedule, add important money dates and activities so you can meet your lifetime financial goals.
Nathaniel Sillin directs Visa’s financial education programs. To follow Practical Money Skills on Twitter: www.twitter.com/PracticalMoney.
