As the year comes to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on your financial progress and set the stage for a prosperous new year. A year-end financial review helps you assess where you stand, celebrate wins, and identify areas for improvement. Here's how you can conduct an effective review in a few simple steps.

1. Reflect on Your Financial Goals
Start by revisiting the financial goals you set at the beginning of the year. Did you aim to save a certain amount, pay off debt, or invest more? Assess your progress:

• Achievements: Celebrate your wins, no matter how small.
• Shortfalls: Understand why certain goals weren’t met and consider adjustments for next year.

Use this opportunity to evaluate whether your goals are realistic and align them with your long-term vision.

2. Examine Your Spending Habits
Take a deep dive into your spending patterns over the year. Tools like budgeting apps or bank statements can help you categorize expenses and identify trends. Ask yourself:

• Are there areas where you consistently overspend?
• Did unexpected expenses derail your budget?
• What recurring subscriptions or services can be reduced or eliminated?

This analysis will highlight ways to cut back and reallocate funds toward savings or other priorities.

3. Evaluate Your Savings
Review your savings accounts, including emergency funds, retirement accounts, and other investments. A robust financial cushion is key to weathering uncertainties and achieving financial independence. Consider:

• Is your emergency fund sufficient to cover 3–6 months of expenses?
• Are you contributing enough to your retirement accounts to maximize employer matches or tax advantages?
• Did you allocate money toward specific savings goals, like a vacation or home purchase?

If your savings fell short, look for ways to increase contributions next year.

4. Review Your Debt
Debt management is critical for long-term financial health. Take stock of all outstanding debts, including credit cards, student loans, and mortgages. Evaluate:

• How much progress did you make in paying down debt this year?
• Are there high-interest debts you can prioritize for faster repayment?
• Could refinancing or consolidating debt reduce your interest rates or payments?

If your debt repayment plan isn’t progressing as expected, consider revising it to fit your budget better.

5. Assess Your Investments
Whether you’re investing in the stock market, real estate, or other vehicles, year-end is a good time to evaluate performance. Review:

• Your portfolio’s growth and alignment with your risk tolerance.
• Opportunities to rebalance your portfolio to maintain your target asset allocation.
• Tax-saving strategies like harvesting losses to offset gains.

If you're unsure or want to explore new investment options, consult a financial advisor at Andover Bank to refine your investment strategy for the coming year.

6. Check Your Credit Health
Your credit score impacts everything from loan approvals to interest rates. Obtain a free annual credit report and review:

• Your current credit score and factors influencing it.
• Any errors or discrepancies in your report that need correcting.
• Steps you can take to improve your score, like paying bills on time and reducing credit utilization.

Building strong credit health can open doors to financial opportunities in the new year.

7. Optimize Tax Strategies
Year-end is an ideal time to evaluate tax-saving opportunities. Consider:

• Contributing to tax-advantaged accounts like IRAs or HSAs.
• Maximizing deductions for charitable donations or eligible expenses.
• Reviewing your withholding to avoid large tax bills or refunds.

Working with a tax professional can help you identify additional ways to minimize your tax liability.

8. Set New Goals for the Coming Year
Finally, use the insights from your review to set actionable goals for the new year. Make them specific, measurable, and realistic. Examples include:

• Increasing savings by 10%.
• Paying off a specific credit card by June.
• Starting a new investment account.

Write down your goals and create a plan to track progress throughout the year.

A thorough year-end financial review is an empowering exercise that sets the tone for a prosperous new year. By reflecting on the past and planning for the future, you can take control of your finances and work toward achieving your dreams. So carve out some time this month to review, reassess, and recharge your financial game plan—you’ll thank yourself this time next year!