As we transition into the fall season, it’s important to start thinking about our finances and what we can do to make the most of the remaining months of the year.

Whether it’s preparing for the winter months ahead or beefing up our retirement savings, there are a variety of smart money moves we can make to ensure our financial success. In this article, I will provide you with a fall financial checklist to help you stay on track and make the most of this season.

This checklist includes tasks such as signing up for health insurance, preparing your home for winter, gathering important documents, and not missing out on employee benefits. While not all of these tasks may be applicable to everyone, this checklist is a great place to start and ensure that you are taking the necessary steps to improve your financial situation. So, let’s dive in and make this fall a productive and financially successful season.

Key Takeaways

• Fall is a great time to start thinking about our finances and what we can do to prepare for the remaining months of the year.
• A fall financial checklist can help us stay on track and make smart money moves such as signing up for health insurance, preparing our homes for winter, and not missing out on employee benefits.
• By taking the necessary steps outlined in this checklist, we can improve our financial situation and make the most of this season.

Here is my fall financial checklist.

Figure out your health insurance

I recommend doing research on the best health insurance plan for you and your family before the open enrollment for 2024 through the Health Insurance Marketplace starts on November 1. If you have private health insurance or health insurance through your employer, find out the important dates to sign up by or get information to them by.

Maximize your retirement savings

Now is the time to contribute as much as you can to your retirement savings. Even if you can’t max it out, see if there’s any more that you can contribute to your savings and retirement funds.

Prepare your home for colder months

Take time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. Inspect and tune-up your heating system, clear your gutters, test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, clean your chimney and/or fireplace, insulate your windows, and install a programmable thermostat. Reverse ceiling fans so that heat is pushed down.

Budget for the holiday season

Create a holiday budget and start saving money for the holidays. Find ways to make extra money if you think your budget is cutting it close.

Build an emergency binder for you and your family

Create an emergency binder to store financial information, such as health insurance, financial accounts, where to find certain documents, medical, and more. This can be useful in non-emergencies as well. The In Case of Emergency Binder can help you with creating your own emergency binder.

Find life insurance

Looking at life insurance is extremely important if you do not have this yet. Life insurance is money for your family if you were to pass away. If you are the sole or primary earner in your family, then there are probably a lot of people who rely on you financially. I recommend looking at an Indexed Universal Life Insurance plan because it offers great returns for retirement.

Use your paid time off

Make a plan to use your vacation days from your employer that will expire at the end of the year or days that can’t be cashed out. Take a full week off or turn your weekends into long weekends.

Review your free credit report

You can receive one annual free credit report from the three main credit bureaus. I recommend spacing them out so you can get one every four months.

Find cheaper car insurance

Shopping around for car insurance is something that most people do not do, and it can cost you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. By simply comparing insurance rates, you may be able to save over $1,000 yearly. You can shop car insurance rates through Get Jerry.

Have a money meeting

Have a money meeting to discuss topics such as debt, budget, financial goals, and retirement savings. Discuss things with your family and take it further and get in touch with a financial planner if you haven’t done so already.

Stop paying for cable TV

Find an alternative to cable TV to cut your budget. You can read more about the different cable TV alternatives at Alternatives to Cable TV: A Comprehensive Guide.

Find a rewards credit card

Using a rewards credit card means that you can gain points that you can use to get cheap travel or cash back. You can earn airline tickets, gift cards, hotel stays, cash, etc., all for simply using your credit card. Two cards I recommend are Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Apply for an online job

There are many ways to apply online for jobs. You can work locally or look for something online. You may want to review this article about side hustles and find something that suits you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common financial tasks to complete before the end of the year?

As the year comes to a close, there are a few financial tasks that you should consider completing. Some common tasks include:

• Reviewing your budget and making any necessary adjustments
• Maximizing your contributions to retirement accounts
• Reviewing and updating your insurance policies
• Reviewing your credit report and correcting any errors
• Making charitable donations for tax purposes

What is the 50/30/20 rule in personal finance?

The 50/30/20 rule is a popular personal finance guideline that suggests allocating your income as follows:

• 50% for necessities like housing, utilities, and food
• 30% for discretionary spending like entertainment and dining out
• 20% for savings and debt repayment

This rule can help you prioritize your spending and ensure that you are saving enough for the future.

What are some ways to prepare financially for the upcoming holiday season?

The holiday season can be a major expense for many people. To prepare financially, consider:

• Creating a holiday budget and sticking to it
• Starting your shopping early to take advantage of sales and avoid last-minute panic purchases
• Considering alternative gift-giving options like homemade gifts or experiences
• Setting realistic expectations with friends and family about gift-giving

What are some important steps to take when reviewing your investment portfolio?

When reviewing your investment portfolio, it’s important to:

• Check that your portfolio is still aligned with your goals and risk tolerance
• Rebalance your portfolio if necessary to maintain your desired asset allocation
• Review the fees you are paying and consider lower-cost options
• Consider tax implications and strategies for minimizing taxes

What are some strategies for saving money during the fall season?

The fall season can bring its own set of expenses, but there are also opportunities to save money. Consider:

• Making your own seasonal decorations instead of buying them
• Taking advantage of fall produce sales and cooking at home
• Planning outdoor activities like hiking or apple picking instead of costly indoor entertainment
• Shopping end-of-season sales for winter clothing and gear

What are some key considerations when creating a budget for the remainder of the year?

When creating a budget for the remainder of the year, it’s important to:

• Account for any upcoming expenses like holiday gifts or travel
• Consider any changes in income or expenses that may affect your budget
• Prioritize your spending to ensure that you are meeting your financial goals
• Review your budget regularly and make adjustments as needed to stay on track.

Fall Financial Checklist: Tips for Keeping Your Finances in Order This Autumn

As we transition into the fall season, it’s important to start thinking about our finances and what we can do to make the most of the remaining months of the year. Whether it’s preparing for the winter months ahead or beefing up our retirement savings, there are a variety of smart money moves we can make to ensure our financial success. In this article, I will provide you with a fall financial checklist to help you stay on track and make the most of this season.

This checklist includes tasks such as signing up for health insurance, preparing your home for winter, gathering important documents, and not missing out on employee benefits. While not all of these tasks may be applicable to everyone, this checklist is a great place to start and ensure that you are taking the necessary steps to improve your financial situation. So, let’s dive in and make this fall a productive and financially successful season.

Key Takeaways

• Fall is a great time to start thinking about our finances and what we can do to prepare for the remaining months of the year.
• A fall financial checklist can help us stay on track and make smart money moves such as signing up for health insurance, preparing our homes for winter, and not missing out on employee benefits.
• By taking the necessary steps outlined in this checklist, we can improve our financial situation and make the most of this season.

Here is my fall financial checklist in short form.

Figure out your health insurance

I recommend doing research on the best health insurance plan for you and your family before the open enrollment for 2024 through the Health Insurance Marketplace starts on November 1. If you have private health insurance or health insurance through your employer, find out the important dates to sign up by or get information to them by.

Maximize your retirement savings

Now is the time to contribute as much as you can to your retirement savings. Even if you can’t max it out, see if there’s any more that you can contribute to your savings and retirement funds.

Prepare your home for colder months

Take time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. Inspect and tune-up your heating system, clear your gutters, test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, clean your chimney and/or fireplace, insulate your windows, and install a programmable thermostat. Reverse ceiling fans so that heat is pushed down.

Budget for the holiday season

Create a holiday budget and start saving money for the holidays. Find ways to make extra money if you think your budget is cutting it close.

Build an emergency binder for you and your family

Create an emergency binder to store financial information, such as health insurance, financial accounts, where to find certain documents, medical, and more. This can be useful in non-emergencies as well. The In Case of Emergency Binder can help you with creating your own emergency binder.

Find life insurance

Looking at life insurance is extremely important if you do not have this yet. Life insurance is money for your family if you were to pass away. If you are the sole or primary earner in your family, then there are probably a lot of people who rely on you financially.

Use your paid time off

Make a plan to use your vacation days from your employer that will expire at the end of the year or days that can’t be cashed out. Take a full week off or turn your weekends into long weekends.

Review your free credit report

You can receive one annual free credit report from the three main credit bureaus. I recommend spacing them out so you can get one every four months.

Find cheaper car insurance

Shopping around for car insurance is something that most people do not do, and it can cost you tens of thousands of dollars over your lifetime. By simply comparing insurance rates, you may be able to save over $1,000 yearly. You can shop car insurance rates through Get Jerry.

Have a money meeting

Have a money meeting to discuss topics such as debt, budget, financial goals, and retirement savings.

Stop paying for cable TV

Find an alternative to cable TV to cut your budget. You can read more about the different cable TV alternatives at 16 Alternatives To Cable TV That Will Save You Money.

Find a rewards credit card

Using a rewards credit card means that you can gain points that you can use to get cheap travel or cash back. You can earn airline tickets, gift cards, hotel stays, cash, etc., all for simply using your credit card. Two cards I recommend are Chase Freedom Flex and Chase Sapphire Preferred.

Apply for an online job

Here is a list of jobs and side hustles on or offline that may interest you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common financial tasks to complete before the end of the year?

As the year comes to a close, there are a few financial tasks that you should consider completing. Some common tasks include:

• Reviewing your budget and making any necessary adjustments
• Maximizing your contributions to retirement accounts
• Reviewing and updating your insurance policies
• Reviewing your credit report and correcting any errors
• Making charitable donations for tax purposes

What is the 50/30/20 rule in personal finance?

The 50/30/20 rule is a popular personal finance guideline that suggests allocating your income as follows:

• 50% for necessities like housing, utilities, and food
• 30% for discretionary spending like entertainment and dining out
• 20% for savings and debt repayment

This rule can help you prioritize your spending and ensure that you are saving enough for the future.

What are some ways to prepare financially for the upcoming holiday season?

The holiday season can be a major expense for many people. To prepare financially, consider:

• Creating a holiday budget and sticking to it
• Starting your shopping early to take advantage of sales and avoid last-minute panic purchases
• Considering alternative gift-giving options like homemade gifts or experiences
• Setting realistic expectations with friends and family about gift-giving

What are some important steps to take when reviewing your investment portfolio?

When reviewing your investment portfolio, it’s important to:

• Check that your portfolio is still aligned with your goals and risk tolerance
• Rebalance your portfolio if necessary to maintain your desired asset allocation
• Review the fees you are paying and consider lower-cost options
• Consider tax implications and strategies for minimizing taxes

What are some strategies for saving money during the fall season?

The fall season can bring its own set of expenses, but there are also opportunities to save money. Consider:

• Making your own seasonal decorations instead of buying them
• Taking advantage of fall produce sales and cooking at home
• Planning outdoor activities like hiking or apple picking instead of costly indoor entertainment
• Shopping end-of-season sales for winter clothing and gear

What are some key considerations when creating a budget for the remainder of the year?

When creating a budget for the remainder of the year, it’s important to:

• Account for any upcoming expenses like holiday gifts or travel
• Consider any changes in income or expenses that may affect your budget
• Prioritize your spending to ensure that you are meeting your financial goals
• Review your budget regularly and make adjustments as needed to stay on track.