I can’t believe it’s October already. This year has really flown by. That’s why it’s not good to procrastinate because a month or two can fly by before you even know it.

It’s not good to procrastinate with your finances either. People tend to procrastinate on things like life insurance, retirement savings and estate planning because they think that they have plenty of time. But we all know that time flies and things can happen in an instant.

Life insurance: do you know how much you need? Have you met with a reliable representative to discuss life insurance? You don’t want to put this off too long because the older you get, the more expensive it gets. If you don’t have life insurance or if you have it, but you have less than five years left on the term of the policy, schedule an appointment with a licensed professional today. Don’t delay.

Retirement: When do you want to retire? If you would like to retire early, or have to retire early due to health concerns, what will you live on until social security and other retirement plan funds are available? How much do you have saved for retirement? How much will your monthly and annual expenses be when you retire? Don’t forget to include life insurance, health insurance and long-term care insurance. There may be other expenses to budget for in retirement as well, like home renovations to make your home more elderly friendly. You don’t want to rely solely on government programs like Medicare and Social Security for healthcare and monthly income because those are not guaranteed or they may not be enough to sustain your lifestyle. Now is the time to develop your plan for retirement. That includes starting to think about what you plan to fill your days with once you do retire. Studies show that the more engaged you are, the better your quality of life. Make a plan so that you can start preparing now.

Last Will and Testament: When did you last update your will? Have you moved to a different state since your last will was executed? Have you communicated to your executor or another trusted family member where to find your will and your life insurance policy(ies) when you pass? We know that our days are numbered, but none of us know what our number is. Do your loved ones a huge favor and make your wishes known before you go. A healthcare power of attorney should also be executed to ensure that your loved ones know your wishes should you become incapacitated. Please don’t keep putting this off – make an appointment with an estate attorney today and get this taken care of.

Time keeps on ticking, ticking, ticking. Better get these things handled sooner rather than later (or too late)!