At the same time, do not forget living for now. Prepare a month-by-month budget that makes room for the fun times – holidays and celebrations – as well as covering the necessities.
Anticipate spikes in your spending. Do your car, home and life insurance premiums all seem to be due at the same time putting pressure on your cash flow? Investigate monthly premium payments or spreading renewal dates across the year.
April to June
It is time to prepare for the end of financial year, EOFY.
By June 30 you will want to have made any intended additional superannuation contributions – make sure you stay within relevant limits – and finalised donations to your favourite charities.
Is there any other tax-deductible expenditure you can bring forward?
June is also the month for EOFY sales – an opportunity to grab some bargains on early Christmas shopping and birthday gift purchases. Do not forget to include these in your budget.
July to September
If you are expecting a tax refund for the financial year just finished, lodge your tax return early.
What are you going to do with the windfall? Whether you put it toward one of your goals or blow it on a big night out is up to you. Just make sure it’s part of ‘the plan’.
With your tax return out of the way, the third quarter is a good time to start a bit of financial spring-cleaning.
Review your super and savings, insurance and Will, loans and credit cards, Power of Attorney, and overall financial strategy. Is everything up to date?
How’s your super doing? Would salary-sacrificing help? Can you consolidate debt or refinance at a lower rate?
October to December
Into the final quarter and how are you tracking? Are you ‘on plan’?
Maybe the plan you came up with back in January wasn’t realistic. It is not too late to adjust both your strategy and your expectations.
If things are looking good, it is important to stay focused. Christmas is looming with its temptations to over-spend.
Once the turkey and plum pudding have settled, it is time to review the year just gone and to give yourself a pat on the back for what you have achieved. Then take a deep breath, check your goals, and update the plan for the coming year.
• The information provided in this article is general in nature only and does not constitute personal financial advice.
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