Most of life's major events have financial considerations attached to them. From marriage, homebuying, and starting a family to changing jobs or retiring, having a monetary plan may help prepare for life's big moments.
Marriage
Marriage is about love, but it has financial implications to consider. Beyond the expenses of the wedding, you may want to think about such things as combining finances, sharing expenses, tax considerations, debt responsibilities, and estate planning. You might have to think about what will happen financially if the marriage ends.
"No one likes to think about divorce or death when planning their nuptials, but it's vital to have a plan should theunexpected occur," says Robin Hartill at The Motley Fool.* "If you're in drastically different financial positions, you may want to consider a prenuptial agreement. If one spouse's death would cause financial hardship, consider buying life insurance. Also, consider disability insurance if either of you doesn't already have coverage."
To have a strong financial relationship with your spouse, it's important to have open and honest communications and be respectful to one another. It can help to create a joint budget and consolidate/organize the finances of both people. Prioritize shared expenses and address debts. You can set goals and set up an emergency fund with a joint savings account.
You and your spouse might have different financial philosophies, but it is important to share your ideas with each other, and plan for the future…together.
Buying a House
Buying a house has many financial considerations attached to it. You'll have to consider a down payment, monthly mortgage payments, interest rates, property taxes, homeowners insurance, closing costs, the costs of repairs and maintenance, and home equity, to name a few.
Is buying a home or renting the better solution for your current situation? If you feel you're ready to buy, you'll need a plan. Check your credit report. You might need to improve your score before seeking a loan. Set a budget and save for a down payment. Talk to a realtor and figure out the expenses you'll be responsible for as the buyer. This can vary depending on the seller. Talk with your bank to get started.
Having Kids
Having children is a blessing which also comes with a set of financial considerations. Childcare costs, health insurance, food and clothing, education, housing needs, baby gear and childproofing needs, and various expenses throughout their lives can add up to a significant amount of money that you wouldn't have otherwise paid. You need to be prepared.
Save as much money as you can. Determine if your work situation is adequate or if you need to explore new opportunities. Create a budget and figure out what new expenses you'll have. Factor in pregnancy and childbirth costs. It may be useful to set up a fund specifically for having a baby. You may also need to plan for reduced work hours if one or both parents need to take unpaid time off.
Changing Jobs
Changing jobs has financial considerations. The job and change in pay might determine the planning you consider, but thinking about a financial plan is important during this milestone.
"If you’ve already secured your new job and accepted the salary offer, it might be a good time to start figuring out what your new level of income means in relation to your monthly expenses," says Jasmin Suknanan at CNBC.** "For instance, if you’re switching industries and will be taking a slightly lower salary because you have less experience, you should take a look at which monthly expenses are still doable and which ones aren’t."
Retirement
When you retire, you may transition to a lower income. Determine when you'll collect Social Security benefits, and if you're eligible for a pension. Develop a strategy for withdrawing funds from your retirement account(s), and live within your means. You might also want to take long-term care and estate planning into consideration.
The earlier you can start planning for retirement, the better. Try Nevada State Bank's retirement nest egg calculator here. The bank also has calculators for Roth IRAs, Traditional IRAs, and Roth 401(k)s vs. Traditional 401(k)s.
When it comes to life's major events, it helps to be prepared. From marriage to retirement, consider how each event could impact your finances.
* https://www.fool.com/investing/2023/06/01/financial-planning-for-major-life-events-from-marr/
** https://www.cnbc.com/select/6-tips-to-help-you-prepare-financially-for-changing-jobs/