Four Steps to Get Your Finances Ready for the New Year

About one year ago, 63% of Americans told pollsters they had resolved to improve their personal finances in 2010. In fact, saving money beat the usual self-improvements: exercising more, eating less, losing weight. The only resolution that rated higher than personal financial improvement was finding ways to relax and reduce stress.¹

It’s not clear how well Americans fared with saving more money (the personal saving rate remained fairly level for the first half of the year).² But these steps may help improve your financial situation and reduce stress before the new year arrives.

Rebalance and Reallocate

It’s likely that some of your investments have performed at different rates over the past year, possibly leaving your portfolio overexposed to one asset class and underexposed to another. The process of rebalancing involves buying and selling securities to restore your portfolio to your target asset allocation. And if its been a while since you reviewed your asset allocation, now might be a good time to determine whether you need to shift your strategy. Asset allocation does not guarantee against loss; it is a method to help manage investment risk.

Revisit Your Beneficiaries

Are the people you have designated as the beneficiaries on your life insurance policies and retirement accounts still the ones you would like to see inherit these assets? Reviewing your beneficiary designations can help ensure that your intended heirs receive these assets. It’s especially important to revisit your beneficiary designations after a marriage, birth, divorce, or death in the family.

Check Your Credit Report

Because identity theft is a growth industry, it’s wise to check your credit report for evidence of fraud or any inaccuracies that may affect your creditworthiness. The three major credit reporting agencies are required by law to provide you with a free credit report once a year. Log on to www.annualcreditreport.com.

Consider Your Taxes

Reductions in tax rates on income, capital gains, dividends, and inherited assets (adopted by Congress in 2001 and 2003) had a December 31, 2010, expiration date. Because of the ever-changing tax landscape, this is a good time to reconsider some of your financial decisions, such as whether to realize capital gains, reevaluate the role of dividend-paying stocks in your portfolio, boost your contributions to tax-deferred accounts, and alter the timing of bonuses and tax payments.

You may not be able to perform these tasks on your own. We can help.

1) U.S. News & World Report, December 24, 2009
2) Haver Analytics, 2010

The information in this article is not intended as tax or legal advice, and it may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any federal tax penalties. You are encouraged to seek tax or legal advice from an independent professional advisor. The content is derived from sources believed to be accurate. Neither the information presented nor any opinion expressed constitutes a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security. This material was written and prepared by Emerald. © 2010 Emerald.