Insider Guide

February, 2023

We are so happy to celebrate with the happy couple – our colleague and Wealth Planner at GIA, Rory Glatt, and his beautiful bride Breelan – and wish them a wonderful and joy filled marriage. 

Checklist, “What issues should I consider at the beginning of 2023”

Download this helpful checklist as you navigate and plan for 2023. The checklist covers personal issues, cashflow, assets & debt, insurance, legal, and tax issues for your consideration.

money conversations

We recommend that you you make the time to have weekly, quarterly, and annual conversations around your financial goals, spending habits, investment decisions, budget, and overall plan.  

1. Is your daily spending aligning with your budget and overall goals? Also take the time to reconcile your transactions to ensure your bills were paid on time, that you are not subscribed to something by mistake or you no longer use, that there is no fraudulent activity in your accounts and that you are keeping track of your giving, unreimbursed job expenses, etc. in case you itemize on your tax return.

2. Are there areas where you need to cut back?

3. Is there any margin in your budget?

4. Are you on track to save for vacations, holidays, birthdays, and Christmas? Do you have a plan in place for these goals? 

1. Do you pay yourself first? Meaning, did you prioritize saving over your spending? 
2. Are you being honest with your money habits and are there areas you can make adjustments to create better habits ? 
3. Are you still on track to reach your goals? Remind yourself of your goals and assess each one. You can use the S.M.A.R.T. goal metrics to assess each one.  Sometimes, life happens and you have to pivot or adjust the timeframe of when you can complete a goal. This is OK!  Give yourself grace and set a new more realistic and attainable goal. 
4. Am I being generous with my wealth and how is that money being used in the organization I am partnered with?  Am I happy with where my money is going and do I want to continue supporting this person / organization, or do I need to make adjustments to my giving plan?

1. What are my biggest goals for the year? What are your personal priorities? How much are each of these goals going to cost to obtain? What do you plan to splurge on this year? Plan out these large expenses (you can break it down monthly or quarterly and set a plan in place to put a % of that cost aside each paycheck). Ask yourself if you can increase your giving, saving, and payment towards debts such as your mortgage. 
2. How much money do you want in savings by this time next year? You can use an automated tool to save each month. 
3. How much do you want to give this year? And where do you plan to give your money? 
4. How do you plan to budget your money?  Will you use YNAB, our recommended budgeting app, or another way to budget?   
5. Assess your money mistakes from the year before. What can you do better?  How do you want to make adjustments to avoid those same mistakes?  Create new money habits and have someone hold you accountable. 
6. What are your 3-5 year and 5-10 year goals? 
7. What are your retirement goals and are you on track to achieve them?
8. How are your investments doing?  Do you need to make any changes? 
9. Are you being tax-efficient with your savings and investments? 
10. How will this year’s tax changes affect you? 
11. How does your financial plan affect your family? 
12. Do you  need to update your  will or trust?

Don’t forget to share your financial goals with your advisor as we truly want to help you have security and confidence in your financial plan. 

2023 retirement & tax planning

We understand that changes in tax & other regulations can be overwhelming as you plan ahead for retirement and taxes. We thought we would make your life a bit simpler by making a one-page “cheat sheet” that you could download and reference. Click the button below to download the “2023 Retirement & Tax Planning Quick Sheet”

February is for LOVE so these local happenings are for you to share some fun with someone you love, whether that be yourself, your friends or your S.O.!

Candlelight concert

February 14, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at The Trolley Barn

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Atlanta. Get your tickets now to discover Valentine’s Day inspired music at The Trolley Barn under the gentle glow of candlelight. Tickets are $45.00 and these concerts tend to sell out quickly. (Tara Bruce recently went to a tribute to Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra and loved it) Click here to learn more.

Rod Stewart Tribute

Sat, Feb 11, 7:00 – 8:30 PM @MadLife Stage & Studios

“Rod the Tribute” is simply the BEST live full tribute to legend Rod Stewart. The show is truly a FUN concert experience.

Murder on the Orient Express

Taste of Thailand Cooking Class

Disclosure – All investment carries risk, and we cannot guarantee performance or results. The ideas and questions shared are based on our experience, and may not apply to your specific situation. GIA does not earn any compensation from any of the community events listed, and you should consider your own health situation and preferences before attending any of the events. Please contact us for any questions relating to the content above, or to discuss your specific situation.

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