Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping and the air is warming up. Spring is finally here! With taxes fresh on your mind and the economy starting to rebound, now is a great time for some financial spring cleaning.

Like anybody’s home, long-term financial goals can use a bit of a refresh after months at the bottom of your priority list – but a quick financial spruce-up can make a world of difference. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Consider your contributions. Have you gotten a promotion or raise over the last year? Consider putting a portion of that increased pay toward regular contributions to your Virginia529 account, retirement plan or other savings account.
2. Automate some processes. Set up automatic withdrawals of money from your paycheck to go directly to savings. You can do this for your Virginia529 accounts by completing the Automated Payment Authorization form linked below. Next, automate bill-paying (but do continue to periodically review your expenses) to streamline the process and help avoid paying a late fee.
3. Cut the clutter. Examine your monthly expenditures and consider what can be cut. Perhaps it’s a premium TV service you never watch or a few too many trips DoorDash takeout orders. Small changes can really add up. (As for physical clutter, go paperless with bank statements and bills to reduce the mess.)

Put those tips into practice, and soon, your finances will sparkle like your freshly-cleaned windows!

Virginia529 Automated Payment Authorization form