Here is the agenda for the annual financial meeting my nerdy husband and I undertake every February. I’ll write more about the results of this meeting tomorrow.
Review Net Worth Report
Review Cash Flow Report
Discuss Major Expenditures
Discuss Insurance (This year life insurance, last year disability insurance)
Discuss Expected Tax Bill/Rebate
Discuss Plan for Excess Cash (ex. CD – 1 year, 6 month, etc)
Discuss Goals/Accomplishments from the previous year
Exercise
Write & Share Goals
Ex. Retire @ 50
Return to College
Replace Furniture
Assign a Time Frame to Each Goal (1 – 5 years, 10+ years, 30 years)
wow – you two sound really organized. Do you meet regularly together about money, or ad-hoc? Do you find it hard to carve out a niche of time together for that purpose?
2.One Frugal Girl | February 28, 2007 at 2:14 PM
I got the idea for an annual meeting from a book called ‘The Family CFO.’ If you have never read that book I highly recommend it. It discusses the importance of sitting down once a year to discuss financial goals with your spouse. My husband and I started the tradition last year.
We hold the meeting in February, after all of the holidays are over. We have also vowed not to hold the meeting in our house. If you can afford it, go to a hotel for the night, sit down to a nice dinner, and then discuss your finances. It makes the discussion more enjoyable. After all you want to look forward to saving and planning for your financial goals.
We talk about money frequently and informally, probably once or twice a week at the dinner table, before going to bed, etc. But I think it’s important to carve out a special time to discuss long range goals. It’s also a great time to reflect back on all your accomplishments from the prior year.
3.nancy | March 1, 2007 at 1:47 AM
Thanks, ‘one frugal girl’ I actually help people somewhat in this area, but hadn’t heard of the book, and in my experience you are a pretty rare couple (although of course people come to me who by definition don’t do this). Anyway, in my next newsletter if it’s ok with you, I’ll link to this post as evidence that it can, in fact, be done! And your suggestion of doing it off-site is excellent. Tip of the hat …
4.One Frugal Girl | March 1, 2007 at 4:26 AM
Of course you can link to this post. I’d be honored. And definitely, definitely, definitely read ‘The Family CFO,’ it’s one of the best personal finance books out there.
5.Adventures In Money Making | March 21, 2007 at 7:23 PM
1.
Nancy | February 28, 2007 at 6:16 AM
wow – you two sound really organized.
Do you meet regularly together about money, or ad-hoc? Do you find it hard to carve out a niche of time together for that purpose?
2.
One Frugal Girl | February 28, 2007 at 2:14 PM
I got the idea for an annual meeting from a book called ‘The Family CFO.’ If you have never read that book I highly recommend it. It discusses the importance of sitting down once a year to discuss financial goals with your spouse. My husband and I started the tradition last year.
We hold the meeting in February, after all of the holidays are over. We have also vowed not to hold the meeting in our house. If you can afford it, go to a hotel for the night, sit down to a nice dinner, and then discuss your finances. It makes the discussion more enjoyable. After all you want to look forward to saving and planning for your financial goals.
We talk about money frequently and informally, probably once or twice a week at the dinner table, before going to bed, etc. But I think it’s important to carve out a special time to discuss long range goals. It’s also a great time to reflect back on all your accomplishments from the prior year.
3.
nancy | March 1, 2007 at 1:47 AM
Thanks, ‘one frugal girl’
I actually help people somewhat in this area, but hadn’t heard of the book, and in my experience you are a pretty rare couple (although of course people come to me who by definition don’t do this). Anyway, in my next newsletter if it’s ok with you, I’ll link to this post as evidence that it can, in fact, be done! And your suggestion of doing it off-site is excellent.
Tip of the hat …
4.
One Frugal Girl | March 1, 2007 at 4:26 AM
Of course you can link to this post. I’d be honored. And definitely, definitely, definitely read ‘The Family CFO,’ it’s one of the best personal finance books out there.
5.
Adventures In Money Making | March 21, 2007 at 7:23 PM
i’m putting the book on amazon wishlist.
thats pretty amazing.