As the year 2018 has just come to an end, it is a good time to consider all sorts of different resolutions to improve your life in the New Year. As a financial planner, I can suggest several goals to help improve your financial life in 2019.

The ending of a calendar year can be interesting.

People often take this time to reflect on where they are in life, or where they are going. One thing I hear a lot in December, and I’m guilty of this as well, is some version of “wow, this year went by so fast!” People can sometimes express regret for things they meant to do but didn’t quite get to.
As a financial planner, I get to talk to people quite a bit. One thing I observe is that people are very busy. Another thing I know is that personal finances are not typically at the top of the to-do list. With these two things in mind, I challenge you to choose just one item from the following list to achieve in 2019.

1. Pay off “unacceptable” debt
2. Build an emergency fund
3. Get long-term disability insurance
4. Save 15 percent of income
5. Hire a fee-only financial planner
6. Get estate documents
7. Check your life insurance needs

Pay off “unacceptable” debt

What I mean by “unacceptable” debt is primarily credit card debt. When paying off credit card balances, the following strategy should be applied:
1) Stop using credit cards and end all recurring monthly charges.
2) Make the minimum payments on all but the highest rate card.
3) Pay as much as possible on the highest rate card. When paying off credit cards, you should allocate at least 15 percent of your income to total credit card payments.
4) Repeat this process until each credit card is paid off.

Build an emergency fund

The standard amount of cash cushion is three to six months of must-pay expenses like rent, food, and utilities. This money should be set aside in cash to fund living expenses in case of emergencies. You may lose your job, get seriously injured, or have an unexpected car or home repair. Without an emergency fund, you will have to use credit cards or ask family or friends for money. In short, you may build up debt that becomes difficult to repay. This cash should never be invested because investments can be in a downturn market right when you need the money. Keep these funds in a separate savings account so you don’t accidently dip into them for non-emergencies.

Get long-term disability insurance

Future earnings potential is the biggest asset for most of us. Long-term disability insurance protects this asset. Unfortunately, a lot of people don’t have it. Sign up for this coverage through work if it’s offered as a benefit. If you are self-employed or work for a small company that doesn’t offer disability insurance, look to a large industry association to get the best rates.

Save 15 percent of income

People on track for a normal retirement age of 67 need to save at least 15 percent of their total income. Super-savers achieve a rate of 20 to 25 percent. Saving more also reduces your living expenses today, and in the future. Not only are you saving more, but you will need to save a smaller retirement nest egg to fund this new lower annual living expense.

Hire a fee-only financial planner

Financial markets and tax laws are too complex to navigate on your own. Find a fee-only financial advisor at www.NAPFA.org to get a financial plan. A fee-only financial planner will not sell you insurance or annuities. They are legally required to only provide recommendations that are in the clients’ best interest. Unfortunately, most financial advisors are not fee-only. They make their living by selling financial products. You deserve better. Stick with a fee-only financial planner.

Get estate documents

A common misconception is that estate planning is only for the wealthy or elderly. Every adult should have at least basic estate documents: advanced healthcare directive, durable power of attorney for finances, and a will. A living trust is a fourth estate document needed for people who own a home, a business, or have a large non-retirement account. All these documents can be created by an estate planning attorney.

Check your life insurance needs

Parents with young children and spouses need about ten times their annual salary in life insurance. Someone making $100,000 per year should have about $1 million in life insurance. This is just a rule of thumb, but it gives an idea of the range you should be shooting for. Stick with term life insurance for the lowest rates.

Now that 2018 has ended, remember that 2019 will go by just as fast. Pick just one goal from this list I provided and get it done! In four or five years, you could have your entire financial life in order.