Today is a great day to stop and take your financial pulse. It’s important to evaluate progress toward financial goals made at the beginning of a new year to see where you are and determine where you need to go.
Thinking like a business
Some dentists don’t regard themselves as a business. You are. Very much so. It helps to look at your financial situation this way. Where an executive might reach for financial statements to get a read on the company’s standing, you can create or update a net worth statement. Essentially a monetary scorecard, a net worth statement helps you determine where you stand financially and whether you’re on track to meet your goals.
You can calculate your net worth by adding all of your assets, including cash and cash equivalents, brokerage account balances, retirement funds, real estate and other fixed assets and personal property. Then, subtract your liabilities, including mortgages, personal loans, credit card balances and taxes due. The result provides some important clues about where your money is going and how you might be able to trim spending and increase savings.
Practicing risk management
To maintain their companies’ financial health, business executives also practice risk management. You can do the same by first assessing compensation and benefits elections. A major life change — such as a marriage or birth — may require an update to your W-4 withholding status. Also, monitor your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Remember, FSAs are “use it or lose it” propositions. To the extent possible, accelerate covered expenses so you’ll be able to take advantage of your deferred amount.
Insurance is another important risk management area to review. Insurance needs change over time. Perhaps your home has increased in value, necessitating a corresponding increase in your homeowner’s coverage. Or maybe you no longer have enough life insurance to protect your growing family. Talk to your insurance professional to determine the right amount of coverage.
Finally, check your credit report. If you wait until something is obviously wrong, it may be too late to prevent significant damage. Federal law requires the three major credit reporting agencies to provide you with one free report per year.
The Federal Trade Commission’s : Visit the Web site or call toll-free 877-322-8228, for more information.
Looking at retirement … beyond
The distant future is just as important as the near one. Review your estate plan and, if necessary, update it. Financial priorities change over time, so make sure the beneficiary designations for your retirement accounts and insurance policies still match your wishes. Check your will or living trust to ensure no changes are necessary. And, if you’re looking to reduce the value of your taxable estate, remember that you can make $15,000 in annual exclusion gifts per recipient this year without using up any lifetime exemption.
Finishing strong
Some might say that the beginning of the year, when you set goals, is the most important time for financial planning. Others might say year-end when you determine whether you’ve accomplished your goals and start preparing for tax return filing. In truth, the whole year is important. And right now is the perfect time to pause and assess, so you can perhaps adjust objectives set a few months ago — and finish strong. If you have questions or just feel like you want “more” you can chat with a Profit Advisor from Engage Advisors today! No obligation, just solutions for a better life and a better dental practice. Less stress. Less tax. More profit!