Fall is on the Horizon

It’s hard to believe the kids will be starting another school year this week. For some reason, it feels like the summer break flew by faster than usual. The next thing you know it will be fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Happy New Year!

Before your schedule gets too hectic with the holidays, now is the perfect time to do the following (if you haven’t already done so):

• Start putting aside money, in a separate account, specifically earmarked for holiday spending (e.g. travel/lodging expenses, hosting guests, gifts…)
• Perform necessary auto maintenance (e.g. oil change, tires rotated or replaced…)
• Pull and review a copy of your FREE credit report to address any necessary mistakes or fraudulent activity
• Shop around for cheaper rates (e.g. insurance, cell phone, internet…)
• Cancel any unused subscriptions or memberships
• Shred junk mail and outdated documents
• If you have loved ones that depend on your income for survival, you may want to consider purchasing life insurance (unless you already have a better method for providing for your family in your absence)
• Make sure your spouse or some other trusted loved one knows where to access all your important documents (e.g. life insurance policy, property deeds, vehicle titles…) and financial information.
• Confirm/update the beneficiary information on all your accounts and insurance policies
• Increase your contribution to your emergency fund, retirement &/or investment account(s)
• Estate planning – get/update your will and medical power of attorney

Regardless of the time of year, there’s always a list of things to get done. It’s up to each of us to decide how to prioritize and complete the tasks that are most important.

“Time is a created thing. To say ‘I don’t have time,’ is like saying, ‘I don’t want to’.”
~Lao Tzu