Jan. 1 – Review your personal budget
Make a New Year’s resolution to periodically review your personal budget. Commit to save more in your IRA or 401(k) plan. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Jan. 6 – Update cost-of-living adjustments
Update cost-of-living adjustments for 2008 for 401(k) and individual retirement accounts (IRAs). Increase your savings and watch them grow. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Jan. 10 – Students complete scholarship applications
Now is the time for high school seniors to finish college scholarship applications. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Jan. 31 – W-2 and 1099 tax forms sent
The 2007 W-2 and 1099 tax forms are sent to you by this date. Start a file to compile them along with all other records and receipts for your state and federal tax returns. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Feb. 1 – Compile your tax forms
Compile your W-2s, 1099s and other tax forms in preparation for filing your income tax return. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Feb. 3 – Compare January expenses to budget
Compare actual January expenses to your personal budget and make adjustments. Pay yourself first when writing monthly bills and commit that money to savings! *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Feb. 24 – America Saves Week begins
America Saves Week, Feb. 24 to March 1, is the perfect time to think about saving for retirement, reducing debt and investing. Visit www.americasaves.org for resources. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
March 1 – National Pig Day
National Pig Day is the perfect time to think about feeding your piggy bank and develop small steps to save for retirement. Visit www.feedthepig.org for tips and tools! *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
March 2 – Obtain FAFSA application
Obtain the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for 2008 from your high school guidance counselor, or visit www.fafsa.ed.gov. Deadline to submit is June 30. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
March 7 – Review your investment portfolio
Review your investment portfolio and re-balance investments to your personal asset allocation percentages. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
April 5 – Check on IRA deductions
Check regulations to see if you are eligible for an IRA deduction on your federal income tax return. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
April 15 – Federal income taxes due; IRA contributions due
Your federal income tax return is due to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). Visit www.irs.gov for forms and online filing information. Also, it’s the last day to establish or contribute to an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) in 2007. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
May 6 – Start holiday savings
If you start saving $2.50 today and continue through Thanksgiving, you’ll have about $500 to spend during the holidays. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
June 1 – Determine your financial compatibility
June is wedding season, and an important time to talk about and manage your finances with your current or soon-to-be-spouse.
*Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
June 10 – Review mortgage options
Looking to buy your first home or thinking of refinancing? Review mortgage loan options and determine the best one for you. Your mortgage should not be more than half of your take-home pay. Visit www.360financialiteracy.org and click on “Home Ownership” for articles, tools and answers to your frequently asked questions. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
July 4 – Plan for your financial independence
Plan for your financial independence by setting a goal to reduce your debt and spending, and increase your income. Review your personal budget and make adjustments to meet your goal. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
July 8 – Review your investments
Review your investment categories to their respective benchmarks and then adjust your investment portfolio accordingly. You’ll be on your way to financial freedom. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Aug. 8 – Get a copy of your credit report
Order a copy of your credit report and look closely to make sure it contains accurate information. If errors are found, you are entitled to have them corrected. Federal law requires that consumers can access their free credit report once a year. The nationwide consumer credit reporting companies provide this service at www.annualcreditreport.com. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Aug. 19 – Avoid college credit card traps
College classes are starting and so are the offers from credit card companies. Remember, one card is enough and it’s not “free” money. College years are an important time to build good credit history. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Sept. 1 – Labor Day
Labor Day was established to honor American workers. Pat yourself on the back for all your hard work and know that you’re planning for your retirement. When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn Social Security benefits. Your benefit amount is based on your earnings averaged over most of your working career. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Sept. 3 – Consider a college savings plan
Consider establishing a college savings plan, like an education individual retirement account (IRA), 529 plan or other mechanism, for funding your child’s or grandchild’s higher education. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Oct. 1 – Get an insurance check-up
Take this day to check up on your insurance coverage: health, life, property, auto, and others. Visit one or two agents and ask them to explain different insurance plans and provide quotes. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Oct. 3 – Visit www.jumpstart.org for financial education resources
Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy is a nonprofit that aims to improve financial education of students and young adults. Visit www.jumpstart.org for educational resources. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Nov. 1 – Check your holiday savings
Check the balance of your holiday savings account and start making your holiday shopping list! *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Nov. 4 – Review your flexible spending accounts
Review your pre-tax flexible spending accounts against your actual expenses and increase or decrease withholdings in 2009. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving Day
The Thanksgiving Day holiday was established so Americans could give thanks for all their blessings. Why not distribute good will and give to your favorite charities? The contribution will put a smile on your face and put money in your wallet at tax time. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Nov. 28 – Review your investments’ capital gains and losses
Review your investments for capital gains and losses. Offset gains with losses in your portfolio, if necessary. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Dec. 1 – Review charitable contributions
Get in the holiday spirit! Consider increasing your charitable contributions or other tax-deductible items for the 2009 tax year. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Dec. 19 – Review IRA and pension accounts
If you are over 70 1/2, make sure you have taken any minimum distributions from your IRA accounts and pension plans. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Dec. 31 – Charitable contributions due
Ring in the New Year by knowing you’ve achieved financial fitness all year long!
Make sure your charitable contribution check is in the mail and postmarked by Dec. 31 to claim a deduction on your taxes for 2008. *Add this date to your Outlook Calendar
Important Dates for 2008 
