Your 2023 outline to finding success with your home and financial goals!

Finding Success with your 2023 Goals:​

Review your budget and financial goals:

Take a look at your budget and see if you’ve been sticking to it throughout the year. If not, consider making some adjustments to help you stay on track. You should also review your financial goals for the year and see if you’ve made progress towards achieving them.

1.  Create a spreadsheet: One of the simplest ways to organize your budget is to create a spreadsheet using a program like Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets. You can list your income and expenses in different columns and use formulas to calculate your total expenses and savings.

2.     Use budgeting software: There are many software programs and apps available that can help you track your spending and create a budget. Some popular options include Mint, You Need a Budget (YNAB), and Personal Capital. These tools often provide features like automatic categorization of expenses, alerts when you go over budget, and the ability to connect to your bank accounts and credit cards for easy tracking.

3.     Use a pen and paper: If you prefer a more low-tech approach, you can use a pen and paper to create a budget. This can be as simple as writing down your income and expenses in a notebook or using a budgeting worksheet.

4.     Use the 50/30/20 rule: This rule suggests that you should allocate 50% of your budget towards needs (such as housing, groceries, and utilities), 30% towards wants (such as dining out, entertainment, and shopping), and 20% towards savings and debt repayment. This can be a simple way to structure your budget and ensure that you’re meeting your financial goals.

No matter which method you choose, the key is to be consistent and review your budget regularly to make sure you’re on track.

Check your insurance coverage:

Make sure you have the right amount of insurance coverage for your home and belongings. Consider adding coverage for natural disasters or other unexpected events.


Here are a few steps you can take to check if you have enough home insurance:

1.     Review your policy: Take a close look at your home insurance policy to understand what it covers. Pay particular attention to any exclusions or limitations on coverage.

2.     Calculate the replacement cost of your home: Determine how much it would cost to rebuild your home if it were destroyed. This is known as the replacement cost of your home, and it should be covered by your home insurance policy. Keep in mind that the cost of rebuilding can vary depending on factors such as the age of your home, the materials used in its construction, and local building costs.

3.     Check your personal property coverage: Make sure your home insurance policy covers the replacement cost of your personal property, such as furniture, electronics, and clothing. You may need to purchase additional coverage for high-value items like jewelry or artwork.

4.     Consider additional coverage: If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, such as earthquakes or floods, you may need to purchase additional coverage to protect your home. Check with your insurance company to see what types of coverage are available and how much they cost.

5.     Shop around: If you’re not sure if you have enough home insurance, it can be helpful to compare quotes from different insurance companies to see what options are available. Keep in mind that the cheapest policy may not always be the best option, as it’s important to choose a policy that provides the right amount of coverage for your needs.

Perform home maintenance tasks:

End-of-year is a good time to perform any home maintenance tasks that you may have been putting off. This can include cleaning gutters, checking the furnace, and inspecting the roof for any damage.


Here is a list of home maintenance tasks that you should consider doing throughout the year:

1.     Check and replace your HVAC filters: It’s important to regularly check and replace your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters to ensure that your system is running efficiently and effectively.

2.     Clean gutters: Cleaning your gutters helps prevent water damage to your home and foundation. You should do this at least twice a year, in the spring and fall.

3.     Inspect your roof: Look for missing, damaged, or loose shingles and have them repaired or replaced as needed. You should also clear away any debris that has accumulated on your roof.

4.     Test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors: Check that your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working properly and replace the batteries if needed.

5.     Check your windows and doors: Make sure that your windows and doors are properly sealed and replace any weatherstripping that has become worn or damaged.

6.     Inspect your plumbing: Look for any leaks or damage to your pipes and have them repaired as needed. You should also consider installing a water filter to help improve the quality of your drinking water.

7.     Clean and maintain appliances: Regular cleaning and maintenance of your appliances can help extend their lifespan and improve their performance. This includes things like cleaning the lint filter on your dryer, descaling your coffee maker, and emptying the drip tray on your refrigerator.

8.     Inspect your electrical system: Check that your electrical outlets, switches, and circuit breaker panel are in good working order. Have any problems repaired by a professional electrician.


Remember, it’s important to stay on top of home maintenance tasks throughout the year to help prevent costly repairs and ensure that your home is safe and comfortable.

Organize your paperwork:

Go through your financial documents and make sure everything is in order. This includes bank statements, tax documents, and any other important papers. Consider setting up a filing system to keep everything organized and easy to find.

Here is a list of financial documents you may need when buying a home or preparing your taxes:

1.     Pay stubs: These will be needed to prove your income when applying for a mortgage or when preparing your taxes.

2.     Bank statements: You’ll need to provide proof of your savings and financial stability when applying for a mortgage. You’ll also need your bank statements to help prepare your taxes.

3.     Tax returns: You’ll need to provide copies of your tax returns when applying for a mortgage, and you’ll need them to file your taxes.

4.     W-2 forms: These show the income you earned from your employer and will be needed when preparing your taxes.

5.     Investment and retirement account statements: If you have investment or retirement accounts, you’ll need to provide statements when preparing your taxes.

6.     Receipts for charitable donations: If you made charitable donations throughout the year, you’ll need to keep receipts as documentation for tax purposes.

7.     Home repair and improvement receipts: If you made any repairs or improvements to your home, you may be able to claim deductions on your taxes. Keep receipts as documentation.

8.     Receipts for medical expenses: If you have high medical expenses, you may be able to claim a deduction on your taxes. Keep receipts as documentation.

It’s important to keep these documents organized and easily accessible, as you may need to reference them multiple times throughout the year.

Plan for the future:

Look ahead to the coming year and think about any big expenses or financial goals you might have. This could include things like saving for a down payment on a home, paying off debt, or saving for retirement. Make a plan to help you reach your goals.

Here are a few steps you can take to create a plan to pay down debt and save for retirement:

1.     Determine your debt and savings goals: The first step in creating a plan is to determine your debt and savings goals. How much debt do you want to pay off, and how much do you want to save for retirement? Be specific and try to set achievable goals that you can work towards.

2.     Review your budget: Take a close look at your budget to see where you can cut back on expenses and free up money to put towards your debt and savings goals. Consider things like reducing your spending on entertainment, eating out, and shopping, or cutting back on your monthly bills.

3.     Prioritize your debts: Make a list of all your debts, including credit card balances, student loans, and any other debts you may have. Prioritize your debts based on the interest rate you’re paying. It’s generally best to pay off high-interest debt first, as it will cost you more in the long run.

4.     Consider consolidation: If you have multiple credit card balances or loans with high interest rates, you may want to consider consolidating them into a single loan with a lower interest rate. This can help make your debt more manageable and save you money on interest.

5.     Automate your savings: Set up automatic transfers from your checking account to your savings account so you can start building up your retirement savings without having to remember to do it manually.

6.     Consult with a financial advisor: If you’re struggling to create a plan or have questions about how to pay off your debt or save for retirement, consider consulting with a financial advisor. They can provide expert advice and help you create a personalized plan that meets your specific needs and goals.