As we head towards the end of the year with only a little over a week until Christmas, I automatically start to think of the upcoming break and all the things I want to do. Admittedly, most of those involve the beach, golf, day trips, and catching up with family and friends. But if you are anything like me, there’s a fair chance there are areas of life admin that keep finding their way to the bottom of your to-do list.

Thinking of the things I have probably put off…the list isn’t short! Whether it’s working in the garden, home maintenance, organising a tradie to come and look at a job, or certain things related to your financial affairs. And like me, you might get reminded about them often!

We’ve all had a hard couple of years with COVID-19 and the accompanying lockdowns impacting everyone in some way; whether it be the loss of income or a job, working from home, kids being homeschooled, social isolation etc. For many, it’s taken its toll and we’re very much ready for a break and hopefully, you’re looking at some well-deserved holidays over December and January. Take the time to recharge, get around family and friends, enjoy all the fun stuff and prepare ourselves for 2022. But, at the same time, it could be a good chance to put time aside time to tick off some of those items that have been shelved for another day over the past year or so.

From a financial perspective, it could mean a number of  things, here is a great list to help you get started:

• How long has it been since you had a health check on your mortgage (or YOU for that matter)?
• How long since you reviewed your car insurance, or your home and contents insurance? Could you get a better deal elsewhere?
• What about your health insurance? Are you utilising those extras (dental, physio, etc)?
• Is your estate planning up to date? Have we suggested that you update your Will, Power of Attorney, Trusts, etc, but you haven’t returned the solicitors call, or the docs are sitting in your tray unsigned?   
• How long has it been since your personal insurances were reviewed? To make sure they are relevant to your personal circumstances. What has changed since they were last looked at? Am I waiting on a return email or call from you?
• Have you initiated any of the above but got stuck at one hurdle in the process?
• If you’re not a Hewison Private Wealth client, are your financial arrangements something you’ve been meaning to look at but haven’t taken that first step in arranging a meeting?

The point is it’s worth considering whether any of these pressing matters could be started or even finalised whilst you don’t have the demands of work or the rigours of everyday life weighing you down.

How good would it be to start the new year with one or two of these things ticked off!  As always, we are here to help and work with you, but if you do need help with any aspect of your financial affairs that fall outside of our expertise, we are happy to put you in touch with like-minded professionals that will ensure you are in good hands.

Most importantly, I’d like to wish you a happy and safe holiday period and a great year ahead!