Show: The View from the Bay, Valerie Coleman Morris Segment

Description:
January: Get your free annual credit reports only from the government mandated www.annualcreditreport.com. Read them, challenge in writing anything that’s incorrect or not yours. Know what's being said about you and your money.
February: Organize your documents. Use folders and label (Receipts 2010, insurance, investments, etc) Create a safe place to store.
March: Review all your insurances. Life, health, disability, long-term care and casualty money.msn.com has a calculator to help figure out how much insurance you need
April: Review all your debts. Credit cards, mortgages, auto loans, any long-term obligations. Check to see if rates and/or terms have changed.
May: Review your will and update it. Especially if major life changes such as births, deaths, divorce, marriage, job loss or relocation. 66% of Americans do not have a will. If you have children and no will, the state will decide their guardianship.
June: Find a certified financial planner.
The National Association of Certified Financial Planners Be sure to know how they get paid (fee only, hourly, % of assets).
July: Review employer matched savings programs. Make sure you’re contributing the % necessary to qualify. Check the diversity of your investment portfolio.
August: Determine your net worth. List the value of all your assets and possessions. List the amount of your liabilities and debt. Helps accurately determine the level of home/renters insurance you need.
September: Go paperless with bills. Every account that’s paperless can be retrieved online 24 hours a day. Saves time and money – no stamps needed. Convert to online banking and bill paying.

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