A 5-Point Personal Finance Checklist , To Review Before 2021 Ends.<br />The Motley Fool suggests these five steps to take regarding your finances before the new year.<br />1. Check your credit report.<br />Aside from getting a clear view of your accounts and loans, checking your credit report can help pinpoint financial fraud if you see something you don't recognize.<br />Aside from getting a clear view of your accounts and loans, checking your credit report can help pinpoint financial fraud if you see something you don't recognize.<br />2. Review your budget.<br />Your expenses or income may have changed throughout the year. If so, tweak the numbers to account for the year ahead.<br />3. Use up your FSA.<br />You may have to spend the funds in your flexible spending account (FSA) by Dec. 31 or risk losing it. See what options are available to you.<br />4. Check in on retirement <br />plan contributions.<br />If you haven't hit your personal goals for the year, you may be able to contribute a little more before the deadline.<br />5. Review your brokerage account.<br />You may want to sell stock or line things up for more diversity. You can also use capital losses to offset gains and lower your taxes.<br />You may want to sell stock or line things up for more diversity. You can also use capital losses to offset gains and lower your taxes
