If that's the case, here's one more "resolution" to add: Review my investment plan for 2013 and beyond.
As regular readers of my work know, I have a real love for old investing adages and aphorisms. And there's one that really applies to today's story.
Back during World War II, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill told listeners that "he who fails to plan is planning to fail."
And was he ever right.
So many investors fail precisely because they "wing it" and don't have a plan of any kind.
It's not the plan itself that's really so important; it's the insights that you gain from creating the plan that are the real benefit. You reassess - and remind yourself of - such things as:
- Your risk tolerances.
- Your current financial situation, as well as where you eventually want to be.
- Any ancillary issues (like saving for your son's college education, or making sure you can handle taking care of an elderly parent).
- Any problem investments you might be holding, or any "holes" in your allocations that need to be filled.
- And the steps you need to be taking to actually meet all of these goals.
Here are some tips that will help you map out your financial plan for 2013: