Routine guide
A once-a-year money review to check savings, pensions, insurance and spending so you can adjust your plan calmly.
An annual financial review gives you a clear snapshot of where you stand. Instead of avoiding money tasks you walk through a short checklist covering savings, pensions, insurance and spending.
Use this routine once a year at a calm point in your calendar such as the start of the year or your personal tax year.
Review savings and investments
Look at balances, contributions and how they changed this year. Decide whether to adjust how much you are putting aside or where it is held.
Check pensions and retirement accounts
Review statements for workplace and personal pensions. Confirm contributions, fees and projections.
Review insurances
List key policies like home, car and life cover. Check renewal dates, premiums and cover levels.
Review wills and beneficiaries
Confirm your will, beneficiaries and key documents still match your current situation.
Review spending patterns
Look at main categories of spending over the year and notice where money is going that no longer matches your priorities.
Set simple goals for next year
Choose one to three realistic money goals for the year ahead such as building an emergency fund or paying down a particular debt.
Do I need to be good with spreadsheets to do this?
No. You can work through this checklist with a simple notebook or notes app. The important part is that you look at the key areas once a year, not that you use complex tools.
When is the best time to run an annual financial checklist?
Many people choose the start of the calendar year or their personal tax year. The exact date matters less than choosing a time you can stick with every year.
Save this template as a reusable routine, tweak the steps and run it in Run Mode whenever you need it.
Monthly Bills
A once-a-month review to pay bills, check statements and tidy up your money admin.
Pay Day Routine
A short money check-in every pay day so you know where your income is going.
Tax Season Preparation
A pre-filing checklist to gather income documents, deductible expenses and statements so tax season feels calmer.