Your Best Year-End Money Moves
@kerenzulli
“Do you want to actually get something done, or do you want to feel good?” » P.22
TRADITIONALLY, THE END OF THE YEAR IS A time to take stock of your finances and make a few last-minute moves that can save you money and set you up well for the 12 months to come. That’s still true in 2020 but with a darker twist: The looming expiration of critical financial-relief programs under the CARES Act means that, for many Americans hit hard by the pandemic economy, their year-end money to-do list will include moves to ensure they’ll still be able to pay their basic bills and keep the roof over their heads as 2021 begins.
In fact, over half of Americans say that their finances have been impacted by the pandemic and more than three in four are worried about their ability to pay their bills, according to a report by the credit-rating agency TransUnion. Meanwhile, one in four worry that someone in their household will suffer a loss of income in the next month, a Census Bureau Household Pulse survey recently found.
Some help may come soon if Congress approves a new stimulus plan. But you don’t need to wait for politicians to act before making some smafinancial moves of your own—steps that will help you prepare for what’s to come, take full advantage of some CARES Act provisions before they disappear and enable you to cut your tax and healthcare bills before year end.
Ending a tough 2020 with a
