Finances are a big part of our lives. Money matters can affect our overall sense of well-being, self-confidence, and happiness more than anything else. That is why a financial checkup is important.

Once or twice a year, evaluate where you are financially, where you are going, and how best to get there. That way, you can make course corrections and ensure that you are remaining on the path to the success you were born to experience.

These tips will help you perform a personal financial checkup that ensures you experience the peace and prosperity you deserve:

1. Identify where you are. If you do not have a family or personal budget, now’s the time to create one. Simply list your income and monthly expenses. Any time you spend money, write it down. Simply being aware of your spending habits and the amount of money you have available will cause you to make more sound financial decisions.

• If you already have a family budget, now’s the time to make sure that all your expenses are listed in the budget and funded accurately. An updated budget is your road map for your journey into the next few months.
• The more clearly you see your current financial status, the more motivated you will be to make the changes you need to reach your goals.

2. Identify where you want to go. If you have already established financial goals, evaluate whether those goals still make sense in light of your current situation. Think about what is most important to you and match your financial budget and goals to those values. Include a fun purchase or vacation to keep you motivated.
3. Review your insurance coverage. As the circumstances of your life change, your needs for protection may change as well. Look over your homeowner’s insurance, health insurance, and life insurance and make sure your coverage meets your current needs. Also consider disability insurance, especially if you provide income that your household counts on.
4. Create or bolster your emergency fund. The backbone of any financial plan that truly provides comfort is a fund that can pay for unexpected expenses. If the car or boiler breaks down, your emergency fund makes sure that all the financial claims you made above stay intact.

• While other families struggle to make ends meet, falling behind at the first unexpected expense, you can enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you are covered no matter what goes wrong. This can only come from a well-funded emergency fund.

5. Establish or update your will. While the end of life is an uncomfortable subject for many, it is important to have your affairs in order for those you may leave behind if something should ever happen to you.
6. Evaluate your investments. How is your investment portfolio performing? Are you investing in the right vehicles to match your retirement, college savings and other goals? You may want to seek the advice of a financial advisor if you are unfamiliar with this area of your financial picture.
7. Think about upcoming life changes. Do you anticipate anything big happening in the near future? Is your car getting old? Are there any medical expenses for a surgery or pregnancy that is coming up? To complete your checkup, think through upcoming expenses that are outside your normal budget and plan ahead.

Once you have set yourself up for financial success by reviewing these areas of your family’s plan, repeat this personal financial checkup once or twice a year. The keys to financial success are awareness, determination to succeed, and the ability to dream big dreams. Your personal financial checkup is the road map that will keep you on track.