[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCz_0d8lt_o]

The end of the year is often a time of reflection. It’s also a time for looking to the future and planning one’s course over the next year. One of the crucial areas to address during this time is the area of personal finance. Here are some money moves to consider and make before the year ends:

  1. Change passwords: Passwords should be changed more than annually, but if you haven’t done it already, do it now. The best way to tackle this chore is with a free software program that tracks and automatically changes your passwords for you. All you have to do is remember a master password to access your secure password bank.
  2. Check your credit report: It only takes a few minutes to get a free copy of your credit report from all three credit bureaus. Do this every year or obtain one every four months so you never go long without access to your credit history.
  3. Review your investment accounts: End of year is a great time to take a look at your 401(k) and other investment accounts. Is it time to rebalance your holdings and decide if you want to be more aggressive or conservative? Concerning non-retirement accounts, this is also a good time to look for losses you can claim now to help lower your tax burden next spring.
  4. Donate your junk: It may not be much to you, but your junk could be someone else’s treasure. Take just a few minutes when you have time and sort through your closets and storage areas for things you no longer need and donate them to a reputable organization. You can even claim a tax deduction in many cases.
  5. Scan important documents: It doesn’t take a lot of time and it frees up a lot of space. Stacks of paperwork are notorious black holes for important information. Instead of adding to your filing cabinet, scan your documents and organize them in the cloud.
  6. Make a will: It may not matter much to you, but it will make a world of difference to those you someday leave behind. If you don’t have a will, do something about it, even if it’s a cheap online version. Don’t leave your estate in question when you pass away. It only takes a minute to get started.

There are numerous other items you can tackle as the year draws to a close, but these six items should be near the top of your list. Many of these should be doable on your own, but if your situation is at all complicated, be sure to contact your financial professional for help.