With the excitement of the festive season, it’s easy to be distracted from your financial goals. But this is actually the perfect time to put a few simple plans in place for a positive start to the New Year.
New Year’s resolutions have a bad reputation, and for good reason. So let’s agree up front that we won’t think of financial preparations for the New Year as “resolutions”. Instead this is a great opportunity to set things in order, re-group and look back to ensure things are on track, and of course to re-balance and plan for the year ahead.
Best practice around reviewing your finances for the New Year begins with a calculation of your net worth. Save this somewhere so it’s easily accessible next year, and you’ll have a simple and effective way to measure your progress against a set goal. Include all of your assets (property, cash etc.) and liabilities to calculate a final figure.
Next, pick a couple of items from your financial portfolio, whether they be credit card or mortgage, superannuation accounts or insurance policies etc, and do some research to find out whether you’re getting the best possible deal. Interest rates, fees and risk profiles should be checked at least every few years for each of your accounts. Just as compound interest can be enormously effective over time, so too higher fees and costs can result in far less wealth at the end of your investment period.
Spend some time getting to know your investments. How much is in your super? How is it invested? Are you on target to achieve your final goal? What difference could you make by re-balancing certain investments? Ask questions and seek clear and relevant answers as if you’re looking after the world’s most important retirement nest egg …because you are!
Then, depending on your stage of life:
Up to 40 years old
Consider maximising the effects of compound interest and perhaps even saving a little tax by salary sacrificing a small amount – perhaps $20 to $50 a week – into your super. A little now adds up to a lot later. Be wary not to exceed contributions caps though.
Check that your investments are allocated correctly to match your risk profile and the fact that you have several decades to ride out any market turbulence.
Analyse your insurance needs and check you have the correct levels of cover. You possibly have people that rely on you to provide for them. Make sure you, and they, are suitably protected.
From 40 to 60 years old
It’s time to start knocking down that bad debt, so make that a priority for the next few years and track your success using your net worth document.
Insurance is vital at this stage of life as you’ll likely have dependants and major responsibilities, such as a mortgage. Check you are insured to the right level.
Consider what you can do at work, or outside of work, in order to improve your earning potential.
Analyse your superannuation and figure out whether you need to begin maximising contributions, but don’t exceed contributions caps as additional tax will then apply.
Depending on your comfort with risk and your time left in the market, your portfolio’s risk/growth exposure should be periodically fine-tuned.
Pre-retirees and retirees
How long will your retirement wealth last? How are your investments performing? This is perhaps the most important period of life to ensure your portfolio and retirement income stream are suited to your lifestyle.
Is your estate protected? Organise a will and enduring power of attorney if you haven’t already done so.
Put some money aside to enjoy yourself whether it be for travel, a hobby, a course or simply a night out to dinner every so often. You have earned it.
Planning for the best
To revisit your financial plan and ensure you’re on track to achieving your goals, or to put new plans in place for the year ahead, speak to your financial adviser.
Disclaimer
The Next Step Financial Group Pty Ltd, is an Authorised Representative of Count. ‘Count’ and Count Wealth Accountants® are trading names of Count Financial Limited, ABN 19 001 974 625 Australian Financial Services Licence Holder Number 227232 (“Count”). Count is 85% owned by CountPlus Limited ABN 111 26 990 832 (CountPlus) of Level 17, 1 Margaret Street, Sydney 2000 NSW and 15% owned by Count Member Firm Pty Ltd ACN 633 983 490 of Level 17, 1 Margaret Street, Sydney 2000 NSW. CountPlus is listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. Count Member Firm Pty Ltd is owned by Count Member Firm DT Pty Ltd ACN 633 956 073 which holds the assets under a discretionary trust for certain beneficiaries including potentially some corporate authorised representatives of Count Financial Ltd.
General Advice Warning
The advice provided is general advice only as, in preparing it we did not take into account your investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs. Before making an investment decision on the basis of this advice, you should consider how appropriate the advice is to your particular investment needs, and objectives. You should also consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision relating to a financial product.
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