Winter has come to an end, and spring cleaning season is here. Along with updating your wardrobe and cleaning out your garage, it’s also a good time to dust off your financial plan.
Here are my three tips for spring cleaning your finances.
1. Pare down.
Most people are hoarding investments, sticking as much as they can into their accounts without knowing what they’re buying and if it overlaps with what they already have. Just like spring is the time to start getting rid of all that household clutter, you should do the same with your investment strategy.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Be a smarter, better informed investor.
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
First, evaluate what you own, where you hold it, and how you use it. Then, refer to both your short- and long-term financial goals — the allocations and the investments that you hold to accomplish each could look remarkably different. Maybe you’re building your emergency fund and saving up for a home renovation, but also need to consider how you’ll maintain a certain lifestyle in retirement in 30 years. If your investments are not helping you accomplish your goals, it’s time to kick them to the curb.
As an example, I once met with an investor who was proud of the fact that he had close to 45 different mutual funds, until I helped him discover that two-thirds of them were large-company stock funds and a quarter of them were from the same company. He mistakenly thought that having a high volume of investments meant he was practicing diversification, but it’s like he owned a toolbox with 45 screwdrivers and no other tools — not the best strategy.
2. Check the fit.
In the same way that you might go through your warmer-weather wardrobe and try on old clothes each spring, you need to try on your current allocation and make sure it still fits. Begin by reviewing your savings and total financial picture — this might include debt, investments, workplace plan savings, college savings for your kids, your Social Security strategies, health care savings plans and more. Does the long-term plan you built last year still fit?
I’ve met with new investors who have been using the same plan for up to 10 years! Just because it worked in the past doesn’t mean it still will this year. This can never be a set-it-on-the-shelf-and-forget-about-it sort of planning situation.
Determine the least amount of risk you must take on to reach your goals. From there, optimize your investments to achieve them. Oftentimes clients are convinced that they must be an aggressive investor if they want to successfully retire, but it may be possible to be a moderate investor and still have an incredibly high probability of success.
3. Embrace the new.
While everything in nature looks new in the springtime, the same concept should apply to your investing approach. Chances are you can increase your savings rate for 2018. Ideally you should aim to max out your 401(k) savings rate or at least contribute enough to take full advantage of the company match that is offered by your employer. But if that’s not doable, it is often a good rule of thumb to try to save 10% of your gross income.
One of my clients began saving just 4% of her income but promised herself that she’d continue to increase her savings by 1 percentage point each year, and it’s been exciting to see how proud she is when we review her accounts each year and see how much she’s accumulated with this approach. Even if you only save 1% for now and try to bump it up another percentage point each year — just start somewhere. The idea is to save as much as you can, for as long as you can.
These three steps are a great place to start. However, just as there is not a single style or size T-shirt, there is not one magical investment or off-the-shelf plan that makes sense for everyone. Depending on your current lifestyle and ability to save, your investments, trading strategies, tax-optimization strategies and longer-term retirement plans are going to be unique to your personal situation. As your life gets more complex and your financial needs change, you may benefit from professional help from an adviser.
The only way to take control of your own finances is to take action — there’s no one else who can do it for you. Follow these three steps to successfully clean up your financial picture this spring.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Inc. owns the certification marks CFP® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ in the U.S., which it awards to individuals who successfully complete CFP® Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements.
©2018 Financial Engines Inc. Financial Engines is a registered trademark of Financial Engines Inc. All advisory services provided by Financial Engines Advisors L.L.C., a federally registered investment adviser and wholly owned subsidiary of Financial Engines Inc. Results are not guaranteed by Financial Engines or any other party. See https://financialengines.com/patent-information for patent information.
-
Average Spending by Age for Those 55 and Up: Are You Thrifty?Everybody has their own number for how much they’ll spend in retirement. See if your's is in line with the averages.
-
IRS Paper Checks Deadline: What Happens After September 30?Tax Changes Avoid delays when IRS tax refunds and Social Security paper checks are cut off. Here’s what to know.
-
Wages Aren't Keeping Up With Inflation: A Financial Adviser's Tips to Bridge the GapWhile we can't control inflation, there are some simple things each of us can do to help keep our heads above water.
-
New Rules, New Opportunities for Student Loans: An Expert Guide to Preparing for What's NextMajor changes are coming to federal student loan rules, so it's a good time for borrowers to understand how these shifts will impact their financial planning.
-
Gray Divorce Can Throw Your Retirement a Curveball: What to KnowIf you're entering retirement and going through a divorce at the same time, you've got some work to do to shore up your long-term financial security.
-
I'm a Real Estate Investing Expert: Optional 721 UPREIT DSTs Can Be the Best of Both WorldsBefore investing in any 721 UPREIT exchange, look for one that offers a straightforward, investor-friendly exit.
-
How an Expired Passport Thwarted Blackmail (and What Other Important Documents You Should Keep)An optometrist produced his expired passport to foil a blackmail attempt by the daughter of a former employee. After proving he was out of the country on the date of a forged diary entry, he took it a step further.
-
Optimize, Grow, Retain: The Power of Annual Client ReviewsFinancial advisers can use annual reviews to help enhance client outcomes, strengthen relationships and build their practice.
-
I'm a Real Estate Investing Pro: This Is What Investors Should Know About Truck Stop InvestmentsTruck stops might seem like good investments, but they can actually be a risky gamble due to unstable fuel prices, unreliable operators and coming changes in transportation. Instead, consider safer options like industrial or residential properties.
-
Don't Disinherit Your Grandchildren: The Hidden Risks of Retirement Account Beneficiary FormsStandard retirement account beneficiary forms may not be flexible enough to ensure your money passes to family members according to your wishes. Naming a trust as the contingent beneficiary can help avoid these issues. Here's how.
