Smart Money Moves and Goals for Financial Progress in 2021

Smart Money Moves and Goals for Financial Progress in 2021

by | Accounting News, Budget, Financial goals, News

The beginning of a new year has long been associated with starting from a blank slate and setting new goals for the year ahead. While 2020 taught us that plans and goals can quickly veer off course through no fault of our own, maybe 2021 can teach us the value of planning anyway—even in the face of the unknown. The financial tasks set forth below will help you pay down debts, save money, and better prepare you for whatever 2021 has in store.

File Your Tax Return ASAP

Not only does filing early help stave off refund-hungry thieves, but, generally, the sooner you file the sooner you get your refund. If you’re planning on owing the IRS, it’s better to know early and make arrangements for payment.

Given the unemployment plunge of 2020, keep in mind that unemployment checks are typically taxable, so if you received extended jobless benefits, be prepared to face a potentially greater-than-expected tax bill.

Check Your Withholding

You can use an online income tax calculator to estimate how much you’ll owe in federal taxes. Use your prepared 2020 tax return and your first pay stub from 2021 to check that you’re on track with tax withholding. If not, the calculator can help work out adjustments to your paycheck, and you can contact your employer if you need to make changes.

If you’re a business owner, you may need to make estimated quarterly payments. Tax professionals can help you work out amounts and details.

Get Organized

There’s no time like the present to organize your financial life. All those paper receipts and statements scattered on desktops or tossed into random drawers? Corral them into labeled file folders, baskets, or envelopes. If you want to shed the paper clutter all together, go digital with an accounting software like QuickBooks. A digital snapshot of your finances will help you gain a better grasp for where you are financially before setting new goals.

Commit to Saving in a Realistic Way

Instead of just thinking about saving, commit to establishing a habit of saving by striving for a concrete goal. Set the amount and time frame for your goal, then come up with actionable steps on how you’re going to reach it. For instance, set up an automatic draft from checking into savings, take on a side hustle, and/or comb through your budget to see where extra funds could be found. In order to set yourself up for success from the get-go, be sure to be realistic. A goal of $100,000 in five years might be realistic for some people, while beginning with a goal to save $50 a month will be more on par for others.

Create a Budget

First, look back over bank and credit card statements from last year to help identify spending patterns and areas of improvement. Next, set a budget. Think of your budget as a roadmap of how you’ll save and spend your money, starting with essentials, such as mortgage, food, utilities, and healthcare; then move to recreation and savings. Keep in mind that your budget has movable parts, meaning life circumstances can change, even month to month.

Start an Emergency Fund

An emergency fund is exactly what it sounds like—funds set aside for an unexpected cost like car or home repairs. At the minimum you should aim for $1,000 to be put into an emergency fund, and try to work your way to saving three months’ worth of income.

Spend Your Medical FSA Early Rather than Later

If you have an employer-provided flexible spending account, spending it as early in the year has possible has a few advantages, including:

  • Acquiring medical expenses early in the year can help you meet insurance deductibles, so the rest of your health care can cost less.
  • If you leave your job at any point during the year, you can spend the full amount you had planned to contribute—up to $2,750—and aren’t required to finish making the full FSA contribution.
  • You mitigate the risk of not using the full amount by the deadline and potentially losing money.

Consult a Financial Advisor

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be a millionaire to seek professional guidance from a financial advisor. Whether you’re looking for a one-time consultation or on-going advice, someone in the know can help set you on the path for long-term planning.

How New Startups Find Funding

by | Accounting News, Business Consulting, News, Professional Services, Tax Consulting, Tax Planning

Considering joining the “startup” world but unsure how to find funding? Whether you’re simply in the research phase or you’ve developed a full blown business plan and have some capital, below are the most common ways new startups, who aren’t yet ready for venture capital, fund their business.

  1. Personal Savings
    Personal capital is the most relied on source by entrepreneurs, according to the Small Business Administration. Many entrepreneurs dedicate a good chunk (or occasionally the whole lot) of their personal savings to their new venture, often relying on family or friends for a little help paying the bills or a place to crash if they find themselves in a bind. However, consider speaking with family and friends before you start to ensure they will be there to pick you up if needed, and always leave yourself a small nest egg in case the venture goes awry.
  2. Credit Cards
    Credit cards are certainly the easiest, but most dangerous, form of funding. They provide easy and quick access to a significant cash flow before founders can give themselves a full salary, but they can also put founders in the hole by losing money to late fees or damaging their personal credit. Be careful about how much you rely on credit cards now, as it could prove to be a major hang-up in your future.
  3. Personal Wages
    Many entrepreneurs take it slow, or develop their business or product on the side, while continuing to work a day job and receive income. This avenue may be the most exhausting, or time consuming, by essentially working two jobs, but may be the most financially viable and more common than many realize. The founder of YouTube, Steve Chen, was still employed at Facebook when he began his video platform venture.
  4. Crowdfunding
    The age of the internet has provided entrepreneurs with a wealth of new resources when it comes to funding. Sites like Indiegogo or Kickstarter allow individuals to raise money by “soliciting” online funders for their product, game or other business. Backers take the risk that they may not be repaid in the anticipated time frame, while founders must be aware that not delivering risks ruining their reputation and their chance for future ventures.
  5. Loans
    Founders can go the traditional route of seeking out a bank or other loan service, or they can consider the newer concept of peer-to-peer online loan platforms like Upstart or LendingClub. Entrepreneurs have many lines of credit or business loans at their disposal, but should take into account the payback of such options, which often include interest.

New business venturers have a bevy of funding possibilities to consider, even if they are not established enough for venture capital funding, but proper planning and multiple financing avenues are always advisable. Talk to family, friends, and trusted financial advisors before jumping into the unknown of owning your own business, and find a funding plan that places you on the path to success.