The holiday season has a way of making everything feel festive and full, and then suddenly it’s December and you’re wondering where the year went. Before the celebrations take over completely, take a moment to do something genuinely useful for yourself and the people you love. Here’s where to start. 

Update your beneficiaries

It sounds like a small thing, but it matters more than most people realize. Life changes, be it marriages, births, separations, or loss. Your beneficiary designations should reflect where you actually are right now, not where you were five years ago when you first signed up. Pull up your policy and take five minutes to check. If something needs updating, do it now while it’s top of mind. 

Schedule that health check you've been putting off

October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month is a timely reminder that preventive health checks aren’t just for when something feels wrong. Early detection saves lives. The best time to book that appointment is before your schedule fills up with holiday plans. Whether it’s a general check-up, a mammogram, or a blood panel you’ve been delaying, put it on the calendar this week. 

Look at your emergency fund honestly

Don’t assess the one you plan to build. Review the one that exists right now. If a major health setback happened tomorrow – a hospitalization, a diagnosis, an unexpected procedure – would you be financially ready to handle it without derailing everything else? Three to six months of living expenses is the standard benchmark. If you’re not there yet, the last quarter of the year is a good time to start closing the gap. 

Set aside time for your financial documents

When was the last time you reviewed your policies, account details, and important financial records? Keeping these organized and up to date can save you and your loved ones unnecessary stress when they’re needed. Take a few minutes to check that your contact information is current, key documents are easy to find, and your family knows where to access them if needed. 

Check if your protection plan still fits

Does your life look different than it did a year ago because of new dependents, a career change, a new mortgage, or a growing family? Your protection plan should keep up. Take stock of what you have. Are the coverage amounts still relevant? Are there aspects you've been meaning to address? A conversation with your life planner now is worth a lot more than scrambling to fix things when you actually need it.  

The end of another year isn’t just about wrapping things up. It’s one of the best times to make sure the things that matter most are looked after. Your health, your finances and your family's future never stop to take a holiday. Make sure your plans don’t either. 

This is general information only and is not intended as financial, medical, health, nutritional or other advice. You should obtain professional advice from a financial advisor, or medical or health practitioner in relation to your own personal circumstances.