Blog Post
January 1, 2023

There are countless New Year’s resolutions out there: work out more, become more organized, give up a vice – and the list goes on. But have you considered becoming more financially resolved? It’s not the most exciting goal and it’s hard to post a picture of your progress on Instagram. But I challenge you to put your financial future at the top of your self-care list this year.

Goals for the New Year:
As you begin to re-evaluate your life, reprioritize and set new goals this new year, don’t forget to take proper care of yourself. As women, we often take on the role of “Chief Executive Officer” of our households, making decisions large and small for our “family business”. Although we frequently make the final call, not enough of us are involved in important financial decisions such as how much to contribute to flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts or looking at maximizing our retirement benefits. I urge you to sit down with your partner to increase your financial intimacy by making those decisions together as a couple, sharing goals, challenges and responsibilities for managing finances, and planning for the long run to better safeguard your future.

Make the choice to be involved:
In today’s typical two-earner households, we’re seeing women play a major role in the overall earning power of the family. In fact, a recent TD Ameritrade study shows that in as high as 50 percent of households, women are the top earners.

So then why not take a more active role in the financial planning of your household? To start, determine which of you is the financial planner. You should know how much, why and where your hard-earned money is being invested. Will the plan you’ve invested in maintain your standard of living in retirement? Sit down with your partner and have those tough conversations, and know how much is going toward your 401(k). Because whether you retire together or alone, these decisions affect both of you today.

Share the responsibility:
Taking on financial responsibility is not just about being the breadwinner but rather the willingness to actively participate and learn together. Determine your risk tolerance, identify goals, consider your needs and develop a plan. Having a solid financial strategy is about making informed decisions. A more collaborative style between partners can lead to wiser, long-term decisions about the best way to allocate funds into your 401(k) or individual retirement account without sacrificing important shorter-term needs.

If your employer matches your 401(k) contribution, make sure you are taking full advantage of what is essentially free money by maximizing the matching amount. You can really add to your ability to invest in your future, as money contributed earlier in your working career will compound over time and be able to go to work for you, making it much easier to be ready for your dream retirement.

Prepare for the long run. Together.
Keep revisiting and revising that plan as you grow together to ensure you can step confidently into a happy retirement. No matter where you are in life, the best time to start is right now. Partners should sit down together, perhaps with a trusted financial adviser, and have frank discussions about how they are going to allocate household resources and find the right investment tools within their own 401(k) accounts or another retirement savings vehicle.

Although you want to max out your 401(k) withholding for the month, avoid dipping in at all costs. Early withdrawals can result in significant taxes and penalties. Instead, consider a separate account dedicated to your “emergency fund” for those surprises that spring up, like a broken car window or a busted water heater.

Developing a more collaborative style and increasing transparency about financial planning sets up a solid road to retirement and, in turn, helps you build a stronger relationship. It’s never too late to push the restart (or kickstart) button on your financial life.

No matter how old you are, make TODAY the day you step up to be more informed and financially resolved.

Lisa Jones
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As an investment advisor representative with over 20 years of industry experience, Lisa has had the great privilege of guiding her clients through some of the most exciting and some of the most difficult challenges in their lives. She serves as part teacher, part counselor, part cheerleader, and part disciplinarian for her clients. In order to lead them to success in reaching their retirement goals, reduce debt, put children and/or grandchildren through college, or save for that dream vacation, Lisa strives for excellence in the guidance and advice she offers. Full Bio