2003: โI mean itโs one banana Michael, what could it cost, ten dollars?โ -Lucille Bluth on TV
2022: โIt only took about 20 years, but she was right. - Louis DeSantis at Whole Foods
Here's a checklist of things to do when you get back after the holidays:
This takes maybe 10 minutes to check but can literally be a $100,000 difference for your retirement
- Make sure you are investing up to the match in your retirement accounts. The employer match is free money and is literally the easiest money you can make. If you CHOOSE to NOT do this because you think a 401k is a scam, you are an idiot. Period.
- Check for a Roth option within your retirement. My employer started a Roth option in my 401k a few years ago and didn't announce it. If you can, make those Roth 401k contributions. Tax free gains!
- Ensure its actually invested in something and not sitting in cash. Especially within your brokerage, Roth IRAs, 529s, check everything. Seen this too many times with coaching clients and its cost people years of gains.
- Look at what you're invested in. If you are 20 years old and you're stuff is defaulting to a 2030 Target Date Fund, you're probably too conservative. You shouldn't even me thinking about bonds in your 20s. If you are older than 50 then maybe do a 75/25 split in stocks to bonds. Just know what you're investing in and if something doesn't look right ,then its probably not. Remember, we can change it later this is just a quick check.
- Check fees. This isn't hard to find. Look for a fund description within your 401k website and other accounts. Not all retirement accounts are created equal. Some have pretty horrible options. Just roll with what you have available to you but Im willing to bet you have a better option. High fees are wealth killers.
- Check beneficiaries. Make sure your spouse (or whoever) is on your stuff. Takes seconds to complete. Just get it done.
- Check how much you've contributed this tax year in your Roth IRA. You have until April 2024 to max out your account for 2023. See where the gap is and get that sucker maxed. Just because its the new year doesn't mean you've missed out.
So here it is:
1. Get the match
2. Make sure your money is invested
3. Check your asset allocation
4. Check fees
5. Check your beneficiaries
6. Confirm current tax year contributions