Article

Time to Consider Your New Year Resolutions

Time to Consider Your New Year Resolutions

The New Year is a great time to make a commitment to get your finances in order. With proper planning and appropriate guidance, your resolution to make your finances a priority can begin to build financial stability to prepare you for the uncertainties of tomorrow. The New Year is offering you a fresh beginning.

January 1, 2023
Time to Consider Your New Year Resolutions
Important Disclosure: Content on our website and in our newsletters is for informational purposes only. The information provided may (or may not) directly apply to your situation. We recommend that readers work directly with a professional advisor when making decisions in the context of their specific situation.

For many people, the New Year is a time for personal reflection, a time to consider commitments and resolutions for the coming year.

This year, why not resolve to make your finances a priority? With proper planning and appropriate guidance, you can begin to build financial stability and prepare for the uncertainties of tomorrow. Consider the following steps:

Get Organized

Gather all your important financial documents – life insurance policies, homeowners insurance, wills, trusts, and other pertinent financial records – and organize them so you can access them quickly and easily.

Schedule a Professional Consultation

Arrange a time to meet with your financial advisor to review or write your will and establish any necessary trusts. Prior to your meeting, discuss with your spouse or other loved ones how to handle property dispositions and guardian appointments.

Keep Debt in Check

Pay off high interest debt first, especially if the interest is not tax deductible. Do your best to avoid the minimum payment trap.  By making only the minimum monthly payment, the interest that accumulates over time can make even “bargain” purchases costly in the long run.

Review Insurance Coverage

Review your life insurance policies to ensure that your beneficiary designations are appropriate to your current situation and that all arrangements are up-to-date. Also, consider repaying any loans you may have against your insurance policies. This can help to reestablish an emergency fund for the future.

Apply for Scholarships

If your children plan to attend college next year and require financial aid, remember that financial aid forms are due early in the year. The earlier you apply, the better your chances may be for obtaining aid.

Prepare a Tax Strategy

Begin to gather your tax information and arrange a time to meet with your accountant, if necessary. It is important to file your income taxes on time and to be aware of any tax changes that may affect your return.

Write It All Down

Once you’ve met with your professional advisors, write down a few realistic goals that you think are achievable. Make the commitment now to plan your finances accordingly. This is your first step to building a solid financial future.

The New Year offers us a fresh beginning. This year, resolve to make your finances a priority. With proper planning and appropriate guidance from your financial advisor, you can begin to work toward financial independence and prepare for life’s uncertainties.

Other content you may like

  • Plan Your Finances as You Would Your Workout

    Plan Your Finances as You Would Your Workout

    January 24, 2023
    You exercise to benefit from your sweat equity in the future, right? The strategy of a good workout is to intentionally place stress on our muscles so that when a health problem arises, our bodies are in better condition to deal with the situation. You also need an investment strategy to accommodate unforeseen future events, such as market downturns.
    Read this Article
  • A business professional is sitting at a table or desk completing paperwork with a miniature home, calculator and set of keys in the foreground.

    7% Mortgages: Strategies for Buyers, Owners, and Empty-Nesters

    August 12, 2025
    For anyone navigating the current housing market, understanding strategies to manage a 7% mortgage is crucial. This article explores different options for those desiring a housing change. Read on to find solutions and insights tailored to your unique situation.
    Read this Article
  • A Powerful Tool to Save for College

    A Powerful Tool to Save for College

    March 28, 2024
    A 529 plan gives you the opportunity to take advantage of tax benefits, flexible contribution options, and potential investment growth as you save to ensure your child has access to quality education without burdening them with excessive student loans or compromising your own financial stability.
    Read this Article
  • Podcast Highlight - Inflation + Forecasting Fed Funds Rates

    August 31, 2023
    Did you notice where inflation is compared with last year? The team gets into the details of how inflation has gone, where it is now and where the Fed funds rate might go because of it.
    Read this Article
  • The link you have selected is located on another server. The linked site contains information that has been created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of this organization. We do not endorse, approve, certify, or control any linked websites, their sponsors, or any of their policies, activities, products, or services. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information contained therein. Visitors to any linked websites should not use or rely on the information contained therein until they have consulted with an independent financial professional. Please click “Continue to Link” to leave this website and proceed to the selected site.
    phone-handset