• De-clutter, update and keep paperwork easily accessible.

 

  • Develop a joint budget that realistically reflects day-to-day spending and big-ticket purchases and review it regularly.

 

  • Evaluate if moving assets into joint ownership is the better option.

 

  • List all debts and set a goal to pay them off and schedule time to re-evaluate.

 

  • Evaluate Life / Illness / Health Insurance plans and where possible extend cover to both spouses. For Life and Illness plans remaining in individual names, add your spouse as a joint owner.

 

  • Add your spouse as the beneficiary of investments, savings and pensions plans that are in individual names.

 

  • Consolidate total number of bank accounts. 

 

  • Identify an amount to be set aside and held on deposit as an Emergency Fund.

 

  • Make new Wills or amend existing Wills. 

 

  • Build a relationship with an Accountant, Financial Planner and Solicitor and engage with them when making key decisions.