July is an ideal month to assess your financial picture and make mid-year adjustments that will help you cruise into the holiday months with fewer concerns. To make planning easier, here is a seven-item checklist you can use as your guide:
1. Review Your Budget
With a customizable budgeting worksheet or free app, identify areas where you may be overspending and eliminate costs or comparison shop if possible.
2. Automate Savings
Consider the “set it and forget it” approach to allocating savings so that when peak holiday spending season comes around, you’ve avoided (or at least minimized) high interest credit card balances that can put a damper on the season and coming year.
3. Strategize Debt Repayment
Review the balances and interest rates of your credit cards, loans, and other debts. Tackle high-interest payments first (so you’re able to put more toward principal in the long run). Explore a debt management program which can help you eliminate debt faster.
4. Check Your Credit Report
Request a free copy of your credit report from AnnualCreditReport.com. Review the report for any inaccuracies or signs of identity theft.
5. Revisit Investments
If you have any investment accounts, assess whether your allocations still align with your long-term goals and risk tolerance. Market conditions often change, and your investment strategy should account for these fluctuations.
6. Maximize Retirement Contributions
If you have a retirement account, check your contributions, and see if you have any room in your budget to increase them.
7. Review Insurance Policies
Ensure that your health, auto, home, and life insurance policies still meet your needs. Life changes such as marriage, the birth of a child, or significant purchases might necessitate adjustments to your coverage or comparison shopping for more favorable rates.
Get Connected
If you need additional support, Energize CU has partnered with GreenPath Financial Wellness to offer members cost-free, judgment-free financial counseling with certified experts ready to meet you exactly where you’re at. Give them a call at 877-337-3399.