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Long summer days in July mean more time for vacations and barbecues. But try to carve out some time to keep your financial goals on track.
Among the things you should do: Double-check that the right amount of tax is being withheld from your paycheck and that you have good homeowners insurance coverage.
Read on for more details and other financial to-do’s this month.
Review Your Withholdings
If you received a huge tax refund in April—or if you got slapped with a large tax bill—you may need to adjust your withholding amount. By doing this in July, there’s still time to make a difference before next April. You can make the change by requesting a W-4 form from your human resources department, a step that can mitigate the financial shock at tax time.
You might also need to adjust your withholdings if you’ve had a big life change since last year, such as getting married, buying a house, or having a baby. This TurboTax calculator can help you figure out the right amount.
Celebrate ‘Financial Independence Day’
This Fourth of July, make a plan to rid yourself of costly debt that may be keeping you from reaching other financial goals. A good place to begin is with credit card debt. Start paying down the card with the highest interest rate until the balance is fully paid. Once you’ve cleared that account, direct money toward the card with the next-highest interest rate.
Consider transferring a credit card balance to an interest-free balance-transfer card, especially one that doesn’t charge a fee. This could save you on interest charges, but it’s only a good deal if you’re able to pay off the entire balance before the introductory offer expires.
Use Less Water
Hot, dry summer days may have you watering your lawn more often, but you may be doing more harm than good—to your grass and your water bill. Letting your grass grow a little longer can reduce the amount of water it needs. Allow it to reach about 4.5 inches before mowing it back to 3 inches and you’ll cultivate deeper roots that require less water.
Turning on the sprinklers just once per week is plenty. Schedule your weekly watering for early morning because evaporation rates are lower and the soil will be able to absorb more water.
Prepare For Dangerous Weather
Hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, and floods occur more frequently in the summer, so it’s important to make sure that your home is properly insured. Make sure that your insurance covers the replacement value (the cost of labor and materials to rebuild your home).