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Mainstreet Financial Education · Annual Planning

The 12-month money checklist, one task at a time.

A year of small, manageable financial reviews. The point is not to do everything at once, but to never let a year pass without checking the things that matter.

One task a month. Start in any month, skip what does not apply, and work at your own pace.

Month 1

Automate

  • Set one automatic savings transfer.
  • cancel unused subscriptions.
  • raise savings 1% if cash flow is stable.
Month 2

Beneficiaries

  • Review beneficiaries on every account.
  • check titles.
  • confirm estate documents tell the same story.
Month 3

Legal clarity

  • Review your will and power of attorney.
  • confirm decision-makers still fit.
  • store documents where family can find them.
Month 4

Tax check

  • Review last year's refund or balance.
  • adjust withholding if needed.
  • confirm the emergency fund is funded.
Month 5

Insurance

  • Review home.
  • renters.
  • and auto coverage.
  • confirm limits still fit.
  • match deductibles to your cash reserves.
Month 6

Investments

  • Review your allocation.
  • rebalance only if off your target range.
  • confirm the risk level still fits.
Month 7

Midyear reset

  • Review progress toward goals.
  • compare savings.
  • debt.
  • and cash to plan.
  • make one adjustment for the second half.
Month 8

Credit health

  • Check your credit report for errors.
  • watch for major score changes.
  • freeze credit if not actively applying.
Month 9

Work benefits

  • Confirm you get the full employer match.
  • review total contributions.
  • adjust if income changed.
Month 10

Health plans

  • Review health plan options.
  • check HSA and FSA deadlines.
  • review disability coverage.
Month 11

Protection

  • Review life insurance if life changed.
  • document where policies live.
  • plan year-end tax moves and gifts.
Month 12

Snapshot

  • Update your net worth statement.
  • compare year over year.
  • choose one thing to simplify next year.

Why beneficiaries come first

The forms outrank the will. Beneficiary designations on retirement accounts and life insurance override whatever your will says. Review them in Month 2, then carry that picture into your will review so the two never conflict.

Teaching, never a sales pitch

A plan stays a plan when you revisit it.

Free, professional education on building and keeping a retirement plan on track.

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