Cash Flow & Income Plan

10 questions behind a strong cash flow plan.

• 1.Where is my money actually going each month, and does that match what I care about?
• 2.What savings rate will actually get me to my goals, and am I hitting it?
• 3.Which accounts should I fund first, and in what order, to get the most out of every dollar?
• 4.How much should I keep in an emergency fund, and where should it sit?
• 5.Should I pay down debt faster or invest the difference?
• 6.What's the smartest way to tackle my mortgage, student loans, or other debt?
• 7.How do I handle a bonus, raise, or windfall without letting it just disappear?
• 8.Am I leaving money on the table with my employer benefits or 401(k) match?
• 9.How do I automate my finances so the plan runs without constant willpower?
• 10.As my income grows, how do I keep lifestyle creep from eating the gains?

• 1.How do I turn what I've saved into a steady, reliable paycheck?
• 2.How much can I safely spend each year without running out of money?
• 3.Which accounts should I draw from first to make my money last?
• 4.When should I claim Social Security, and how does my spouse's history change that?
• 5.If I have a pension, should I take the lump sum or the monthly payments?
• 6.How do I keep enough in cash so I'm not selling investments in a down market?
• 7.How do I bridge my income in the years before Social Security begins?
• 8.Should I carry my mortgage into retirement or pay it off first?
• 9.How does my paycheck strategy adjust when required minimum distributions kick in?
• 10.How does my spending plan flex as markets and life change year to year?