Save These Dates: Your 2009 Money Calendar
All of the year's financial chores and deadlines at a glance.
By Jessica L. Anderson, Associate Editor
From Kiplinger's Personal Finance magazine, January 2009
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JANUARY
Jan. 1: If you have a kid heading to college in the fall, submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ASAP.
Jan. 2: First trading day of 2009.
Jan. 3: Set financial goals for the year.
Jan. 9: Watch the mail for notice of your new Medicare Part B premiums.
Jan. 12: Get a free copy of your credit report at annualcreditreport.com.
Jan. 15: Estimated federal taxes for the fourth quarter of 2008 are due.
Jan. 20: Inauguration Day. See how President Obama's tax proposals would affect your finances.
FEBRUARY
Feb. 1: College-acceptance and financial-aid letters start arriving. Review your financial-aid package carefully.
Feb. 7: Begin lining up summer camp for the kids. You snooze, you lose.
Feb. 13: Standard & Poor's 500-stock index has been down in 14 of the past 17 years on the day before Presidents’ Day weekend. Think about picking up some cheap shares.
Feb. 17: Last chance to get a DTV converter box or a TV with a digital tuner before all analog TV broadcasts end at midnight.
Feb. 19: Give a gift to someone you love: Update your will.
Feb. 23: Buy tax-preparation software or make an appointment with an accountant.
MARCH
March 1: Starting today and running through May, look for bargains on shoulder-season travel.
March 6: Think taxes. Ask for a comprehensive receipt for child-care expenses in 2008. Assign value to stuff you donated for itemized deductions.
March 15: Deadline to use or lose funds remaining in your health-care flexible spending account for 2008 (if your plan allows a two-and-a-half-month grace period).
March 18: Anticipate the spring thaw and April showers: See if you could benefit from flood insurance.
March 20: First Triple Witching Day of the year for the stock market. Contracts for stock index futures, stock index options and stock options all expire at once. Brace for volatile trading.
APRIL
April 1: Deadline for taking your first required minimum distribution from IRAs and other retirement accounts in the year after you turn 70˝.
April 4: Looking for a used car? This is the best month to shop, as car dealers restock their inventories at auto auctions.
April 5: Time for high school seniors to decide on a college and send a deposit (most colleges require a response by May 1).
April 15: File your tax return or request an extension. Estimated federal taxes for the first quarter are due. Deadline for contributing to IRAs and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts for 2008.
April 22: It’s Earth Day. Save money today by turning off the lights.
MAY
May 2: Annual shareholders meeting in Omaha for Berkshire Hathaway.
May 11: Buy a gift for your grad—or make an appointment for him or her to get advice from a financial planner.
May 12: Book tune-ups for your home air-conditioning and lawn sprinkler systems before the summer heat sets in.
May 14: Twentysomethings take note: The wedding season is upon you. Set aside cash for gifts and travel.
May 19: Start planning your summer vacation (use a booking site such as www.kayak.com).
May 25: Memorial Day. With the stock market closed, take time to check up on how your investments have done so far this year.
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