When you’re young, checking in on your financial status might seem like something that can wait. But routinely assessing where you stand can benefit you today and down the road. Here are steps to consider.
Understand your assets and liabilities
The assets you own and the debts or liabilities you have determine your net worth. Assets might include cash, savings, stocks, bonds, retirement accounts, real estate and anything else of value such as cars or collectibles. Liabilities might include a mortgage, student loans, auto loans, bills due and credit card debt. Consider calculating your net worth annually by adding the value of all your assets and subtracting your liabilities. This can help you keep tabs on your overall financial picture.
Tip: If you’re just out of college and have a lot of student loan debt, you may have a negative net worth. That’s not necessarily bad. It just means you have some work to do.
Assess your goals
Once a year, think about your short-, medium- and long-term goals. Are each still relevant? How much do they cost? Are you on track to meet them? Some long-term goals, such as traveling in retirement, may not change substantially year to year. Short-term goals, such as paying off a credit card bill, and medium-term goals, including saving for a house, may change more frequently. You might decide to reevaluate those every three to six months.
Check your credit report
Your credit report contains information about the status of your credit accounts and your bill paying history. A good credit score is critical to qualifying for loans at the best possible rates.
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) recommends checking your report at least once a year to make sure it is up to date and correct. Plus, the CFPB suggests an extra check before applying for loans for big purchases like cars and houses. There are three major credit reporting agencies: Experian, Equifax and TransUnion. You can ask for a free credit report from each of them every 12 months.
Name your beneficiaries
When you open a retirement account or buy an insurance policy, you’ll probably be asked to name a beneficiary—the person who would collect from the account in the event of your death. Marriage, the birth of children, divorce and death can affect your choice. Typically your spouse is your default beneficiary, but you also may wish to designate children or someone else. Though designations likely will not change often, it’s still a good idea to check your elections yearly to make sure they’re still appropriate.
Manage your taxes
It’s important to make sure you have enough set aside to pay your tax bill well before the annual deadline, generally April 15. The amount of federal income tax you owe each year depends in part on your tax bracket, but many factors affect it. Learn more about income tax brackets.
In most cases your employer withholds taxes from your paycheck, although the amount withheld will often differ from what you ultimately owe. If you are self-employed, however, you will likely need to pay an estimated amount of tax instead, usually on a quarterly basis.
Tip: Each fall, when you still have time to make adjustments before year-end, consider checking the amount you’ve set aside for taxes against last year’s tax forms.
Check if your investments and goals align
It is likely your investments, whether in retirement plans or taxable brokerage accounts, consist of mutual funds that hold various kinds of investments. Consider checking quarterly, in January, April, July and October, to make sure your selections are appropriate for your age and financial goals.
Determine if you have the right insurance
About once a year it’s important to assess the type and amount of insurance you need. If you rent your home, you may want to consider renters insurance to protect your belongings. When you buy a home, you need homeowners insurance. Your policy should cover what it would cost you to rebuild your home—which is often more than your home’s face value—as well as the current price of replacing your household items. You also may want special coverage for valuable items such as jewelry or artwork. Your insurance agent can help you assess whether you have the right type and amount of coverage.
Tip: If you have dependents, you may wish to consider life insurance, which, in the event of your death, would pay them cash to help make up for the loss of your income. You might also consider disability insurance to replace a portion of your income in case you become ill or are injured and unable to work.