Finance

‘Spring cleaning’ for your finances: 12 money moves to make right now

Published

1 month ago

March 17, 2024

Press Room

‘Spring cleaning’ for your finances: 12 money moves to make right now

Spring cleaning can mean tidying up your wallet or pocketbook, as well as your closet.

In the spirit of renewal, here are 12 financial moves you should make this spring. Some are annual rituals, or should be. Others are tasks we tend to put off, but shouldn’t.

1. Revisit your resolutions

Many of us set New Year’s resolutions for 2024 around spending and saving, borrowing and earning, but fewer of us followed through on them.

“For a lot of people, a top money goal was paying off credit card debt or starting an emergency fund,” said Kimberly Palmer, a personal finance expert at NerdWallet. Spring is “the perfect time to see if you’re making any progress,” she said.

And what if you’ve made zero progress?

“For those of us who fell off track, there’s something called a reset button,” said Ashley Folkes, a certified financial planner in Birmingham, Alabama. “Spring offers the perfect opportunity to restart where we left off, without dwelling on regrets.”

2. Clean your financial ‘junk drawer’

Spring offers a chance to sort through that drawer – or box, or unused corner of the dining room table — where you stash financial paperwork to deal with on some unspecified future date.

“You know the one I’m talking about, where you toss all your statements and bills, intending to sort them out later,” Folkes said.

Working through the neglected papers is a great way to ease financial stress, he said. Throw some away. File some away. Deal with the rest, one way or another.

3. Start a 2024 tax folder

Speaking of papers: If you haven’t already, consider setting up a folder to stow all your tax documents for 2024: receipts, donation forms, and anything else you need to report or plan to deduct. Better still, set up one real folder, and another on your laptop, says Jeff Farrar, a certified financial planner in Shelton, Connecticut.

~~This tip comes from Jeff Farrar, a certified financial planner in Shelton, Connecticut.~~

4. Watch that withholding

While you’re at it, look at your W-4 form and make sure you are withholding the right amount of your paycheck.

“Since taxes are on our mind, with April 15 coming, why not get better prepared for next year’s taxes?” Farrar said.

Will you get a refund next year, or will you owe? Most of us have a lot more control over that question than we think, said Jeff Jones, CEO of H&R Block. You may want to reap a large tax refund to help your family’s cash flow. You may prefer to limit your withholding so that you hold onto more of your paycheck until tax time. The decision is yours.

“In general, you can actually control the outcome,” he said. “We try to remind people, it’s really a choice you can make.”

Most of us have fairly predictable income. Take a look at your last few tax returns. Study the pattern. Are your earnings trending up, or down? Then, consult a tax professional.

Taxpayers straightforward returns “can be in much more control if they just get some expert help and think about withholding changes on their W-4 at the beginning of each year,” Jones said.

5. Talk to your tax preparer

More broadly, spring is a great time to have a conversation with the person who prepares your taxes.

“Aside from housing, taxes are most people’s largest annual expense, so it deserves more attention than pulling together your W-2 and 1099s” and sending them in, said David Flores Wilson, a certified financial planner in New York.

“Our advice is to have a thoughtful, proactive conversation with an accountant, CPA, or financial planner after the spring tax deadline so that you can strategize what you can do the rest of the year to lower your taxes prior to next spring,” he said. “Perhaps there are deductions or credits you weren’t aware of.”

6. Max out your retirement plan

You can contribute to an IRA up to April 15 and have the money count toward your 2023 savings. The contribution limit for 2023 is $6,500 if you’re under 50, $7,500 if you’re older.

Even better, get an early start on contributing to your IRA for 2024. The longer the money sits in your retirement account, the longer it can accrue interest.

“There is a 15-month window to make IRA contributions for any given year,” said Mary Ryan, a certified financial planner at Vanguard. “The earlier you make it, the more you benefit from the compounding effect,” earning interest both on the money you’ve saved and on the interest it has already reaped.

Spring is also a good time to challenge yourself to contribute to a workplace 401(k), Wilson said.

Those plans have higher contribution limits: $23,000 in 2024, plus an extra $7,500 if you’re 50 or older.

“Maxing out 401(k) contributions can lower your taxes and get you closer to financial independence,” Wilson said. “Our advice is to marginally increase your contributions every couple of months, up to a level that’s uncomfortable, then back off a little.”

Not saving for retirement? Now is a good time to start.

“Even if you can only save a little right now, getting started is very important, because you want to give your retirement savings time to grow,” said Terri Fiedler, president of retirement services at Corebridge Financial, a financial services company in Houston. “Ideally, you’ll be contributing enough to at least maximize what your employer will match. And if you’re not there yet, look for opportunities to increase your contributions over time.”

7. Name your beneficiaries

Most retirement plans and life insurance policies include beneficiaries: The folks who get the money if you die.

Many of us procrastinate in naming them. In the spirit of spring cleaning, why not name them now?

8. Dust off your estate plan

Speaking of beneficiaries: Anyone with an estate plan should review it every year, or at least any year when a major life event plays out, like a job change, marriage, divorce or arrival of a new child, experts advise.

“An estate plan isn’t something you can set and forget,” Ryan said.

Consider whether you need to update any part of the plan, including your beneficiaries.

9. Book your 2025 vacation in 2024

Setting up vacation plans a year early saves money and gives you more choice of flights and lodgings, experts say. And then there’s the psychological value.

“Studies have shown the anticipation of a vacation is half the psychic value you get out of it,” Farrar said. “So, enjoy this summer’s family vacation, but put next year’s on the calendar, as well.”

While you’re at it, he said, “dig out your passport and check the expiration date. Nothing worse than getting ready for an international vacation and realizing your passport is about to expire.”

10. Review your investment portfolio

“You don’t need to monitor your portfolio on a daily basis,” Farrar said, but spring is an ideal time to review your asset allocation and make sure it suits your needs.

Your mix of stocks, bonds and other investments can drift over time, and your portfolio objectives change.

“Check to see if your allocation of stocks vs. bonds is where you want it to be,” said Maureen Demers, a certified financial planner in North Andover, Massachusetts.

11. Invest in high-yield savings

Yields on savings accounts, certificates of deposit, money market accounts and other savings vehicles have been up for the last year or two, along with interest rates generally.

Yet, many people “are still holding large cash balances in suboptimal, low-yielding vehicles,” Wilson said.

If your savings isn’t earning 5% annual interest, or close to it, consider transferring the balance into a high-yield account.

Growing debt: Our credit card balances threaten to swamp our savings. Here’s how to deal with both

12. Check your credit card

Credit card debt is rising, along with credit card interest rates. Now is a good time to take a good look at your card, especially if you carry a balance from month to month, Palmer said. The key question: “Are you paying more interest than you realize?”

Credit card rates change over time, and lately, they’ve been going up.

If the APR on your card is rising, Palmer said, then it might be a good time to shop around for a new card.

Daniel de Visé covers personal finance for USA TODAY

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Finance

Bajaj Finance vs Jio Financial: Which stock should you buy after Q4 results?

Published

35 mins ago

April 28, 2024

Press Room

Bajaj Finance vs Jio Financial: Which stock should you buy after Q4 results?

Bajaj Finance reported a decent double-digit rise in profit and interest income year-on-year. Jio Financial, on the other hand, reported a single-digit sequential rise in profit and interest income.

Jio Financial debuted on bourses in August last year, so its Q4 numbers were not comparable year-on-year.

Bajaj Finance reported its March quarter earnings on Thursday, April 25. Its share price plunged 7.73 per cent to ₹6,729.85 the following day.

Also Read: Why Bajaj Finance shares have tanked 8% despite double-digit YoY growth in PAT, NII in Q4?

Jio Financial reported its Q4 earnings on Friday, April 19. In the subsequent sessions on April 22 and 23, the stock rose 3.54 per cent and 1.27 per cent. However, it witnessed profit booking thereafter and closed in the red in the next three days. Still, for the week, Jio Financial share price climbed over 3 per cent.

Also Read: Jio Financial Services stock gains by over 73% in 6 months; what’s driving the rally?

Q4 result: Key numbers of Jio Financial and Bajaj Finance

Jio Financial Services reported a 6 per cent quarter-on-quarter (QoQ) jump in Q4 consolidated net profit to ₹310.6 crore. The revenue from operations increased 1 per cent QoQ to ₹418.1 crore from ₹413.6 crore in Q3FY24.

Its net interest income (NII) rose 4.5 per cent QoQ from ₹269 crore in Q3FY24 to ₹281 crore in Q4FY24.

Pre-provisioning operating profit for the quarter under review inched up to ₹317 crore against ₹315 crore QoQ.

Also Read: Jio Financial Services Q4 results: Net profit jumps 6% QoQ to ₹310.6 crore, net interest income at ₹280.7 crore

Bajaj Finance reported a 21 per cent year-on-year (YoY) rise in consolidated net profit to ₹3,825 crore in Q4FY24.

Its net interest income (NII) for Q4FY24 saw a 28 per cent YoY rise to ₹8,013 crore against ₹6,254 crore in Q4 of FY23.

However, the lender’s net interest margin (NIM) shrunk 21 basis points (bps) in Q4 over Q3.

Also Read: Bajaj Finance Q4 hit by rural loan losses, RBI restrictions

Which stock should you buy?

Jio Financial and Bajaj Finance have their own strengths and weaknesses. While Jio Financial has strong promoter backing, Bajaj Finance has an impressive performance history.

Jio Financial has aggressive growth plans. Recently, the company signed an agreement with BlackRock Inc and BlackRock Advisors Singapore Pte Ltd to form a 50/50 joint venture for setting up wealth management and broking businesses in India.

Experts find both stocks attractive for the long term and suggest one should pick between them according to their risk appetite.

Amit Goel, Co-Founder and Chief Global Strategist at Pace 360, prefers Jio Financial to Bajaj Finance, considering its strong growth potential.

“Choosing between Bajaj Finance and Jio Financial depends on an investor’s risk appetite and investment goal. Jio Financial, backed by Reliance Industries, is a rising star with ambitious plans to dominate the Indian financial landscape. Jio Financial presents a riskier yet potentially faster growth opportunity. We would recommend Jio Financial Services between these two,” said Goel.

Jignesh Shial, the director of research and the head of the BFSI sector at InCred Capital underscored that Jio Financial Services is at an initial stage, and it is early to predict about the stock.

“Jio Financial enjoys a strong brand name and promoter backing though there is intense competition in all segments,” Shial pointed out.

Bajaj Finance is Shial’s preferred pick given the resilient growth metrics, management track record of dealing with roadblocks and consistency in performance.

“We have an add rating on Bajaj Finance with a target price of ₹9,000 as we continue to bet on the NBFC’s aggressive customer acquisition and flawless diversity into new business,” said Shial.

Also Read: TCS vs HCL Tech vs Wipro vs Infosys: Which stock to buy after Q4 results 2024?

Some technical analysts point out that technical charts also favour Bajaj Finance at this juncture.

Riyank Arora, a technical analyst at Mehta Equities, pointed out that Jio Finance is trading in uncharted territory and near its all-time highs. A pullback towards the ₹300-310 zone should offer an excellent long-term buying opportunity for the stock.

However, the technical indicators and chart structure of Bajaj Finance show more stability, and any move towards the ₹6,000 to ₹6,200 zone should be an excellent long-term buy for the stock, Arora observed.

“At current levels, if we compare the technical chart structure of both stocks, then on any 8-10 per cent downside from the current levels, one can look to accumulate Bajaj Finance with a long-term vision for targets of ₹10,000 and above,” said Arora.

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Published: 28 Apr 2024, 10:00 AM IST

Finance

Ukraine's government will be able to finance all social expenditures this year – PM Shmyhal

Published

8 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Press Room

All social expenditures in Ukraine will be fully financed this year thanks to financial support from partners.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal stated this on Ukrainian television, Ukrinform reports.

“We are sure that this year and, to be honest, next year as well we will definitely finance all social payments. Everything that the state has to fulfill will be fulfilled on time and in full,” Shmyhal said.

In particular, $7.5 billion of direct budget funding from the U.S. was provided to cover such expenses. Shmyhal also recalled that Ukraine would receive EUR 16 billion from the European Union this year. In addition, Ukraine has a support program with the International Monetary Fund.

Read also: European Commission endorses Ukraine Plan, pawing way for payments from EUR 50B fund

“All of these resources are the anchor of funding for the Ukrainian budget,” Shmyhal said.

This year Ukraine has already received about $12 billion in external financing to cover the budget deficit.

Photo: Denys Smyhal / Telegram

Finance

Eliminating emotional behaviors leads to sounder financial decisions

Published

15 hours ago

April 27, 2024

Press Room

Eliminating emotional behaviors leads to sounder financial decisions

The founder of behavioral finance, Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, recently passed away. His work has made a huge difference in helping me understand how emotions can interfere with more rational decisionmaking.

It hasn’t stopped me from, at times, making nonsensical financial decisions of my own, but it has helped me pause so I can minimize them. Here are some behaviors or biases we all probably share:

We have said to ourselves, “When this investment gets back to even, I am going to sell it.” This is silly. The investment doesn’t care what we paid for it. We should objectively be looking at each investment on its own merits regardless of what we paid for it. But it is psychologically hard to take a loss and rewarding to grab a gain, so we have held on to bad investments and crossed our fingers that we will eventually save face. Importantly, this applies to individual stocks, not asset classes (small or large stocks, international stocks). In time, asset classes should mean revert, but stocks (and currencies) don’t. With asset classes, peel from your winners and give to your losers. With stocks, let your winners run and trim from them when they are too much of your portfolio, then invest in something that you think has potential.
We have sometimes said no to something that we don’t want to do today, but said yes to it if presented as a future endeavor. When the event eventually shows up on our calendars, we regret it. This is discounting the future. Before saying yes to something, try to picture yourself preparing for it and decide if it is something you really want to do.
We have gone out of our way to save $5 on a $50 item but not to save $5 on a $500 purchase. Why? The ignored numbers are even larger on big purchases. We often look at the percentage of the transaction rather than actual dollars we are saving.
In his book “Thinking Fast and Slow,” Kahneman wrote, “When people believe a conclusion is true, they are also very likely to believe arguments that appear to support it, even when those arguments are unsound.” Good we’ve never done that, right? Right.

We are never going to eliminate our biases, so the key is to slow down and better manage our choices when we recognize we are making a high-stakes decision.

Spend your life wisely.

Ross Levin is the founder of Accredited Investors Wealth Management in Edina. He can be reached at ross@accredited.com.