entertains, educates & inspires marriages
Find Marriage Answers
advice
3 Easy Financial Resolutions Couples Can Make for the New YearThe new year is right around the corner, and it’s time to get your financial house in order. Here are some great tips on where to start!
DepositPhoto
Financial resolutions are much easier to keep when you do them as a couple.
“ It’s important not to attack your spouse about spending that you view as excessive, but rather to identify places where you both agree you can cut back.”
|
It’s easier to commit to a New Year’s resolution if you have company—and who better to team up with than your spouse? Like many couples, you may resolve to work together to improve your financial wellness. Just as you’ll have better luck shedding a few pounds if you have support eliminating sugar from your diet, adopting healthier financial habits can be easier if you both commit to the goal.
Getting your financial house in order generally involves these three steps: save more, pay off your debt and plan for the future. The trouble is, many people simply articulate these goals. While listing these resolutions is terrific, it’s just a first step. You need a plan to make each happen. So, how can you become more proactive to ensure your success?
Save More
Begin with a comprehensive accounting of your net worth by listing all of your assets and liabilities. As I tell my clients, "You need to know where you are before you develop a plan to get where you want to go." Next, review your monthly budget to ensure there haven’t been any big changes, such as financing a new car or an increase in college tuition.
If you don’t have a lot of discretionary income, saving more requires developing a plan to spend less. So look at the past year’s spending habits to target instances of overspending. It’s important not to attack your spouse about spending that you view as excessive, but rather to identify places where you both agree you can cut back. Naturally, it makes sense to go after your budget extras, but reviewing your "fixed expenses" can be productive, too. Spend some time evaluating the best plan for your cell phones, as well as cable/satellite, phone/internet and other items like pest control services. However, don’t go overboard. If you have a gardener or housecleaner and they are doing a great job, I wouldn't make changes, as it can be difficult to find those services. Also, review your insurance. Perhaps you’re insuring a car that’s not being driven, or qualify for a low mileage or student away discount.
If you received a large tax refund this year, then you’re giving Uncle Sam an interest-free loan. Adjusting your withholdings can free up that cash to pay down debt or invest.
Also, consider the distinction between "saving more" versus "saving smarter." To save smarter, you’ll always want to begin with your 401(k) and contribute enough to get any company match. If your spouse’s company offers a match and yours does not, you may need to adjust some of the responsibility for household expenses to ensure there’s extra cash to capture that "free money." In addition, if your company offers a high deductible health plan with a health savings account (HSA) option, that can be a good way to offset medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. So dig into the details of your benefit plans.
Pay Off Your Debt
Many couples trying to dig out of debt concentrate on controlling impulse shopping. That is, you wait 24 hours to evaluate a purchase to distinguish "must haves" from "nice to haves." However, there’s a more essential primary step. You need an emergency fund with three to six months of expenses. That way, an unexpected car repair bill or the need for a new appliance won’t have you reaching for your plastic. To get some motivation to pay more than the minimum payment, take a look at the calculation on your statement to see just how long—and how much—you’ll be paying if you stick with the minimum. Finally, the closer you are to retirement the more important to eliminate debt as it can be a drain on your retirement income stream.
Plan Better For The Future
I’m not talking about college funding or the retirement home you have your eye on. All the planning you do can be worthless unless you do some estate planning, and it’s never too early. For most couples, planning for heirs is easier than it used to be thanks to the American Taxpayer Relief Act. Because of the estate exclusion amount, the amount an individual can give away free from transfer taxes is now $5.25 million; trusts to hold property may no longer be necessary. However, there are still three must-have documents: a will that specifies who inherits your assets and who will be the guardian of any minor children; a power of attorney naming someone to handle your financial affairs if you become disabled or seriously ill; and a health care directive stating your wishes should you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious.
You can keep these important financial resolutions going strong in the new year by setting specific, realistic goals. Rather than say you’ll save more, agree to save 10 percent of your income and note how you’ll invest. Rather than say you’ll pay off debt, agree to pay an extra $300 a month on the credit card with the highest balance credit card. Rather than say you’ll address estate planning, make an appointment with an estate planning attorney. Be definitive with your financial resolutions.
Kimberly Foss is a Certified Financial Planner and personal finance expert with 30 years of industry experience. Kimberly is the founder of Empyrion Wealth Management (Roseville, Calif.) and author of "Wealthy by Design," a best-selling book.
Getting your financial house in order generally involves these three steps: save more, pay off your debt and plan for the future. The trouble is, many people simply articulate these goals. While listing these resolutions is terrific, it’s just a first step. You need a plan to make each happen. So, how can you become more proactive to ensure your success?
Save More
Begin with a comprehensive accounting of your net worth by listing all of your assets and liabilities. As I tell my clients, "You need to know where you are before you develop a plan to get where you want to go." Next, review your monthly budget to ensure there haven’t been any big changes, such as financing a new car or an increase in college tuition.
If you don’t have a lot of discretionary income, saving more requires developing a plan to spend less. So look at the past year’s spending habits to target instances of overspending. It’s important not to attack your spouse about spending that you view as excessive, but rather to identify places where you both agree you can cut back. Naturally, it makes sense to go after your budget extras, but reviewing your "fixed expenses" can be productive, too. Spend some time evaluating the best plan for your cell phones, as well as cable/satellite, phone/internet and other items like pest control services. However, don’t go overboard. If you have a gardener or housecleaner and they are doing a great job, I wouldn't make changes, as it can be difficult to find those services. Also, review your insurance. Perhaps you’re insuring a car that’s not being driven, or qualify for a low mileage or student away discount.
If you received a large tax refund this year, then you’re giving Uncle Sam an interest-free loan. Adjusting your withholdings can free up that cash to pay down debt or invest.
Also, consider the distinction between "saving more" versus "saving smarter." To save smarter, you’ll always want to begin with your 401(k) and contribute enough to get any company match. If your spouse’s company offers a match and yours does not, you may need to adjust some of the responsibility for household expenses to ensure there’s extra cash to capture that "free money." In addition, if your company offers a high deductible health plan with a health savings account (HSA) option, that can be a good way to offset medical expenses with pre-tax dollars. So dig into the details of your benefit plans.
Pay Off Your Debt
Many couples trying to dig out of debt concentrate on controlling impulse shopping. That is, you wait 24 hours to evaluate a purchase to distinguish "must haves" from "nice to haves." However, there’s a more essential primary step. You need an emergency fund with three to six months of expenses. That way, an unexpected car repair bill or the need for a new appliance won’t have you reaching for your plastic. To get some motivation to pay more than the minimum payment, take a look at the calculation on your statement to see just how long—and how much—you’ll be paying if you stick with the minimum. Finally, the closer you are to retirement the more important to eliminate debt as it can be a drain on your retirement income stream.
Plan Better For The Future
I’m not talking about college funding or the retirement home you have your eye on. All the planning you do can be worthless unless you do some estate planning, and it’s never too early. For most couples, planning for heirs is easier than it used to be thanks to the American Taxpayer Relief Act. Because of the estate exclusion amount, the amount an individual can give away free from transfer taxes is now $5.25 million; trusts to hold property may no longer be necessary. However, there are still three must-have documents: a will that specifies who inherits your assets and who will be the guardian of any minor children; a power of attorney naming someone to handle your financial affairs if you become disabled or seriously ill; and a health care directive stating your wishes should you become terminally ill or permanently unconscious.
You can keep these important financial resolutions going strong in the new year by setting specific, realistic goals. Rather than say you’ll save more, agree to save 10 percent of your income and note how you’ll invest. Rather than say you’ll pay off debt, agree to pay an extra $300 a month on the credit card with the highest balance credit card. Rather than say you’ll address estate planning, make an appointment with an estate planning attorney. Be definitive with your financial resolutions.
Kimberly Foss is a Certified Financial Planner and personal finance expert with 30 years of industry experience. Kimberly is the founder of Empyrion Wealth Management (Roseville, Calif.) and author of "Wealthy by Design," a best-selling book.
Leave a Comment
|
|
|
|
threshold | life | money | sex | blog | married life social network | partners | directory | wine club | podcasts | newsletters | subscribe | advertise | contact us | press releases | archives | privacy policy
Copyright © 2023 Hitched Media, Inc. All rights reserved. | hitched - entertains, educates & inspires marriages |
