Top 40 Financial Hack for Your New Year’s Resolutions
The song “Auld Lang Syne” is derived from a famous Scot’s poem which is played with the start of every New Year. The title may be translated into English literally as “for the sake of old times.” While old times and good friends should not be forgotten, neither should your own financial resolutions.
When hearing this song at the stroke of midnight, many of us may reflect on where we stand with our job, life, health, money, retirement, family and relationships. Maybe there is something to be said about the urgency of the clock counting down and the calendar turning over to the next year.
The items that topmost New Year’s resolution lists are typically led by eliminating bad habits to possibly starting new endeavors. We all know the usual suspects: stop smoking, drink less, lose weight, watch less TV, be less stressed, stop overspending, reduce clutter, get a better job, join a gym, read more books, start a new hobby and take a vacation appear on many lists.
The fact that most financial resolutions check-lists have very limited financial “to-do’s,” should not come as a surprise. A past study by Allianz Life found that 84% of adults left financial planning off their list entirely.
Getting your financial life organized and up to date takes time, patience and hard work. Do not expect to cruise through life while assuming your financial goals will somehow miraculously be met before or during retirement from hitting the lottery.
With most people experiencing a 30+ year retirement and living longer lives well into their 80’s and 90’s, don’t leave anything to chance. Always remember the adage to “pay yourself first” while living within your means.
As our world becomes more interconnected and technology-advanced from the “sharing” to the “gig”-economy, staying ahead of the curve may involve a different way of thinking no matter what your age. A recent study by Intuit predicted that by 2020, 40% of workers would be independent contractors.
The following are our top 40 financial hacks to help enhance your financial wellness & your money mindset.
1.Develop a side-hustle you are passionate about -before and after retirement
2.Don’t be afraid to flex your entrepreneurial skills in today’s “gig- economy.”
3.Become “tech-literate” as tech will continue to integrate into every part of our lives
4.Master “financial literacy” and education- as it’s not taught at home or in college
5.Stay active as you age. Your health effects your wealth and your wealth effects your health
6.Track your household cash flow on excel or with a budget-app like Mint
7.Develop a disciplined money mindset in today’s instant gratification society
8.Don’t financially compete with friends on social media. It’s not a competition
9.Live within or below your means to help get – and stay rich
10.Refinance down any debts or obligations over +6% to a low fixed rate while you can
11.Check your credit report three times per year for free
12.“Freeze” your credit online to help avoid identity theft
13.Decrease your pay-stub exemptions if your tax-refund is over $2K
14.Multiply your (age times your income) & divide by 10 to benchmark your net worth
15.Target 15X the average of your last 5 years of salary for your retirement nest-egg savings number
16.Limit your retirement income distributions to 4% or less of your portfolio
17.Subtract (100- your age) & invest the difference in stocks- as benchmark for your asset allocation
18.Implement a portfolio (and 401K) audit at least quarterly for strategy, costs and performance
19.Don’t chase performance, star-ratings or published “best-of” lists when investing
20.Don’t invest in anything you don’t fully understand. There is no such thing as a free lunch
21.Don’t chase high income or high return investments or products (see #20)
22.Don’t follow the herd. By the time you hear about something its often too late
23.For every buyer there is a seller on Wall Street
24.Don’t let feed and greed dictate your investment decisions
25.Plan wisely today for your tomorrow. You can’t put your retirement on a credit card.
26.Envision your “future you” in retirement. Write down your goals outside the numbers
27.Develop a road map to know where you are going and benchmark annually
28.Be accountable. What gets measured gets done
29.Use employer bonuses and tax returns wisely
30.Don’t invest more than 10% of your money in employer stock
31.Maintain 12 months of cash reserves for emergencies and short term goals
32.Overcome procrastination, fears and excuses
33.Don’t enroll in Social Security at age 62 unless necessary
34.Absolutely do not take a loan from your 401K
35.Put your savings goals on “automatic”-save 15% of each paycheck
36.Don’t leave a “free” 3%-5% employer retirement plan match on the table
37.Eliminate debt over a set time-period -make extra mortgage and car payments
38.Protect what’s important with insurance and estate planning strategies
39.Review your cable and other household bills and look for ways to cut back
40.Put your home on “automatic” to save energy and money (thermostat, sprinklers, pool, etc.)
For more information on our firm or to get in touch with Jon Ulin, CFP®, please call us at (561) 210-7887 or email jon.ulin@ulinwealth.com. Get Started Today.
You cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss.
The information given herein is taken from sources that IFP Advisors, LLC, dba Independent Financial Partners (IFP), IFP Securities LLC, dba Independent Financial Partners (IFP), and its advisors believe to be reliable, but it is not guaranteed by us as to accuracy or completeness. This is for informational purposes only and in no event should be construed as an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or products. Please consult your tax and/or legal advisor before implementing any tax and/or legal related strategies mentioned in this publication as IFP does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and do not take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of individual investors. This report may not be reproduced, distributed, or published by any person for any purpose without Ulin & Co. Wealth Management’s or IFP’s express prior written consent.
