The plans you considered so important at the end of 2021 may not hold that same importance now that we’re in the middle of 2022. It’s time to see if your financial goals are still relevant and if yes, are you meeting them? It might also be time to consider a budgeting app or online tools to keep you focused on your goals.

 

Are you sticking to your planned budget?

• Have your monthly bills increased beyond expectation?
• Do you have unexpected living expenses that you aren’t tracking?
• Are your spending habits higher or lower than what your budget allows?

 

How are you protecting your money?

• Have you checked your credit score, and are there adjustments you can make to increase your number?
• If you have some bad debt still floating around, can you adjust your budget to get this paid off sooner?

 

Are your retirement contributions still accurate?

• Can you increase your retirement fund contributions even by a small percent?
• If you have an annuity or IRA, are the returns the best you can get, or do you need to adjust for a potentially better ROI?
• Do you have a savings account tucked away for bucket-list items, and is this still in good shape?

 

Who has your Tax and FSA money?

• Are you paying the right amount of taxes so that the IRS isn’t holding onto your hard-earned money when you could be using it?
• Since FSAs work on a use-it or lose-it system, have you checked to see how much you have to spend?

 

Adapted from US News and World Report3

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3 https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/saving-and-budgeting/articles/how-to-give-yourself-a-midyear-financial-checkup