As the year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to sit down and take a detailed look at your financial sitch. An end-of-year financial assessment lets you evaluate your current standing, plan for the future, and make the necessary adjustments to stay on track for your goals. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to conduct a thorough and meaningful financial assessment.

1. Review your financial goals

Start by revisiting the financial goals you set at the beginning of the year. These could include saving for a down payment on a house, paying off debt, building an emergency fund, or investing more aggressively for retirement. Take some time to answer these questions:

  • Did you achieve your goals, or did you fall short?
  • If you met your goals, what strategies helped you succeed?
  • If you didn’t meet your targets, which obstacles got in your way, and how can you overcome them in the coming year?

It’s okay if you didn’t hit every mark. Here’s how to understand your progress and adjust your plan moving forward.

2. Analyze your income and expenses

A comprehensive income and expense analysis can help you see exactly where your money went throughout the year. This involves:

  • Reviewing all income sources: Include your salary, bonuses, side hustle income, dividends, or any other revenue streams.
  • Categorizing your expenses: Break down your spending into categories like housing, transportation, groceries, dining out, entertainment, healthcare, etc. Tools like budgeting apps or a simple spreadsheet can make this process easier.

Identify spending patterns

Once you have your income and expenses listed, look for patterns. Are there categories where you’re consistently overspending? Are there subscriptions you no longer use? This insight will help you make smarter decisions about cutting back or reallocating funds.

3. Assess your savings

Take a close look at your savings accounts. Did you save as much as you had planned? Your savings assessment should include:

  • Emergency fund: Do you have at least 3 to 6 months’ worth of living expenses saved?
  • Short-term savings: This could be for specific goals like a vacation, a car, or home improvements. Assess whether these savings are on track.
  • Retirement accounts: Review your retirement contributions. Did you max out your 401(k) or IRA contributions, or do you need to adjust next year?

If you didn’t save as much as you wanted, consider setting up automatic transfers to your savings account to ensure consistent contributions.

4. Check your debt

Debt can significantly impact your financial health, so it’s crucial to understand exactly where you stand. Make a list of all your debts, including:

  • Mortgage
  • Car loans
  • Credit card balances
  • Student loans
  • Any other personal loans

For each debt you have, note the interest rate, minimum monthly payment, and outstanding balance. Then, review your debt repayment strategy. Did you make extra payments to reduce your balance faster, or did you just make the minimum payments? If you’re struggling with high-interest debt, consider strategies for the coming year, like the debt snowball or debt avalanche method.

5. Evaluate your investments

Your investment portfolio plays a major role in your long-term financial plan. An end-of-year financial assessment should include:

  • Performance review: Look at how your investments performed compared to market benchmarks. Analyze whether any adjustments are necessary to align with your risk tolerance and financial goals.
  • Asset allocation: Make sure your investment mix (stocks, bonds, real estate, etc.) still suits your objectives and how much risk you’re comfortable taking. You might need to move things around if your portfolio has drifted from your ideal allocation.
  • Tax-loss harvesting: If you have investments in taxable accounts, consider selling assets that have lost value to offset gains elsewhere and reduce your tax liability.

6. Review your credit score and report

Your credit score can affect everything from loan approvals to interest rates, so it’s crucial to keep an eye on it. Check your credit report for any inaccuracies and resolve them immediately. You’re entitled to one free credit report per year from each of the three major credit bureaus (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion), which you can access through AnnualCreditReport.com.

7. Update your budget

Based on your findings, make necessary adjustments to your budget for the upcoming year. This could mean allocating more money to savings, cutting back on non-essential spending, or making higher debt payments. Use the 50/30/20 rule as a starting point: 50% of your income for needs, 30% for wants, and 20% for savings and debt repayment. Adjust as necessary to fit your goals.

8. Review your insurance coverage

Insurance is often overlooked, but it’s a vital part of financial planning. Review your coverage for:

  • Health insurance
  • Auto insurance
  • Home or renters insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance

Make sure your coverage limits are appropriate for your needs and update your beneficiaries if necessary.

9. Plan for taxes

Tax planning shouldn’t wait until April. Evaluate your potential tax liability now so you can take steps to minimize it. This could include:

  • Contributing to a retirement account, such as a 401(k) or IRA, to reduce your taxable income.
  • Donating to charity to claim tax deductions.
  • Reviewing your withholdings to make sure you’re not overpaying or underpaying.

If you have a complicated financial situation, consider consulting with a tax professional to maximize your deductions and credits.

10. Reflect on your financial habits

Take some time to think about your financial habits over the past year. What did you do well, and where do you need to improve? Maybe you were great at sticking to a budget but could be better about impulse purchases. Or perhaps you built up your savings but neglected to invest. Reflecting on these habits will help you set realistic resolutions for the new year.

11. Set new goals for next year

Finally, based on everything you’ve learned from this assessment, set clear, achievable financial goals for the coming year. These goals should be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. For example:

  • Short-term goal: Save $1,000 for an emergency fund within three months.
  • Medium-term goal: Pay off $5,000 in credit card debt by the end of the year.
  • Long-term goal: Increase retirement savings contributions by 2% starting in January.

Set yourself up for success in the new year

An end-of-year financial assessment may seem like a daunting task, but it’s a crucial step in ensuring your financial well-being. By taking a detailed look at your income, expenses, savings, debt, and investments, you can gain valuable insights and set yourself up for success in the coming year. Remember, financial planning is a journey, and this annual check-up will help you stay on course. So, grab a cup of coffee, pull up those financial statements, and get to work—you’ll thank yourself later!