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Spring Cleaning Tips for Your Financial Life

Cypress Wealth Services

March 2024

 

As the flowers bloom and the days grow longer, spring presents the perfect opportunity to rejuvenate not just your home, but also your financial well-being. Just like tidying up your living space can bring clarity and organization, giving your finances a thorough spring cleaning can set you up for financial success in the months ahead. Here are some tips to help you freshen up your finances this spring:

Review Your Budget: Start by dusting off your budget and giving it a thorough review. Look for areas where you can cut back on expenses or reallocate funds to better align with your financial goals. Consider any changes in your income or expenses since you last updated your budget and make adjustments accordingly.

Declutter Your Accounts: Look at all your bank accounts, credit cards, and investment accounts. Close any unused accounts and consolidate accounts where possible. Streamlining your accounts can make it easier to keep track of your finances and may even help you save on fees.

Organize Your Financial Documents: Gather all your important financial documents, such as tax returns, bank statements, and insurance policies, and organize them in a secure and easily accessible location. Shred any documents you no longer need to reduce clutter and protect your sensitive information. We have Life in Book workbook that can make getting organized easier. Please contact us for copy.

Check Your Credit Report: Request a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit bureaus – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – and review them for any errors or suspicious activity. Dispute any inaccuracies you find to ensure that your credit report is up-to-date and accurate.

Evaluate Your Investments: Review your investment portfolio to ensure it’s still aligned with your risk tolerance and financial goals. Consider rebalancing your portfolio if necessary to maintain the desired asset allocation. Take this opportunity to explore new investment opportunities or strategies that may better suit your needs.

Assess Your Insurance Coverage: Review your insurance policies, including health, life, auto, and homeowners or renters’ insurance, to ensure you have adequate coverage. Consider any major life changes, such as marriage, the birth of a child, or a new job, that may necessitate adjustments to your insurance policies.

Revisit Financial Goals: Take some time to reflect on your short-term and long-term financial goals. Whether it’s saving for a vacation, buying a home, or planning for retirement, establishing clear and achievable goals can help guide your financial decisions and keep you motivated.

Automate Your Finances: Simplify your financial life by setting up automatic payments for bills, savings contributions, and investments. Automating your finances can help you avoid late fees, stay on track with your savings goals, and take advantage of dollar-cost averaging when investing.

Review Your Subscriptions and Memberships: Take stock of all your subscriptions and memberships, such as streaming services, gym memberships, and magazine subscriptions. Cancel any subscriptions you no longer use or can live without to free up extra cash in your budget.

Plan for Emergencies: Finally, make sure you have an emergency fund in place to cover unexpected expenses, such as medical bills or car repairs. Aim to have enough savings to cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses in a high-yield savings account or other easily accessible account.

By following these spring cleaning tips for your financial life, you can tidy up your finances and set yourself up for a brighter financial future. Remember, just like maintaining a clean and organized home, staying on top of your finances requires regular attention and upkeep. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to give your finances the fresh start they deserve this spring!

 

About Cypress Wealth Services

 

Cypress Wealth Services is an independent RIA firm providing financial planning and investment management to high-net-worth individuals, families, business owners, and institutions. Cypress Wealth Services comprises professionals with diverse backgrounds and extensive experience and qualifications. Cypress Wealth Services serves a broad range of client needs using their knowledge and experience to act as a foundation for their client service process. The firm uses The Second Growth, which focuses on efficiently protecting, growing, and transferring the wealth and legacy a person has already built to their loved ones. With financial advisors in California, Alaska, and Arizona, the firm serves clients across the country with Wealth Management Services, Fiduciary Services, 401(k) Design and Management, Investment Reporting Services, Financial and Retirement Planning, and more. For more information, visit www.CypressWS.com or call 760.834.7250.