Spring isn’t just for closets and garages—it’s also the perfect time to dust off your finances and do a little money maintenance. Whether you’re planning for retirement, juggling college costs, or just trying to keep your financial house in order, a good “spring cleaning” of your finances can make everything feel more manageable.
At Pearl Planning, we believe financial clarity leads to peace of mind. So, open a window, get out your notepad, and let’s dig into 20 practical (and sometimes even fun!) ways to spring clean your money.
🌼 Why Spring Cleaning Your Finances Matters
Think of your money like a garden, it needs regular care and attention to grow. A seasonal financial review can help you:
- Stay aligned with your goals
- Reduce financial clutter
- Maximize opportunities
- Minimize risk
Just like tidying up your home creates breathing room, cleaning up your finances can bring a fresh sense of control and calm.
🧽 20 Financial Spring Cleaning Tips to Freshen Up Your Finances
Refresh Your Budget
Revisit your monthly income and expenses and make sure what you’re doing is working. Has your spending shifted post-holidays or with the changing seasons? Cut out the subscriptions or auto-renewals that no longer spark joy. You might decide to devote more resources to an area of emphasis. That’s okay, you can both add to and subtract from your budget.
Check In on Your Financial Goals
Are you still on track to take that dream vacation or retire early? Update timelines and savings targets based on life’s latest twists. If you’re firing on all cylinders, have adequate cash on hand, and are doing what you set out to do, it might be time to dream a little and adjust or expand your next money goal.
Pull Your Credit Report
Get a free credit report at AnnualCreditReport.com. Look for mistakes and improve your score if needed. (Pro tip: Set a calendar reminder to check every 4-6 months from a different bureau.) If you find something you need to research, set aside some time to ensure that you’re putting your best foot forward when it comes to your credit.
Rebalance Your Investment Portfolio
Market swings may have shifted your asset allocation, especially in 2025. We don’t recommend bailing on your investment strategy, but if your holdings require manual trading, now is the time to whip things into shape. If you have had cash pile up that should be invested, make sure that you take care of this action item, as well.
Increase Retirement Contributions
Even a 1% increase to your 401(k) or IRA can make a big difference over time. Consider maxing out your HSA if you’re eligible! I suggest you review this at least a couple of times a year. A great time is after you get your tax return back, and when you get an annual raise or bonus.
Declutter Your Financial Files
Scan, shred, and store important documents in a secure digital vault. Bonus: Less paper clutter at home! If you’re constantly receiving paper statements or notifications, now might be the time to sign up for digital delivery. You’ll save paper and space.
Consolidate Old Accounts
Got an old 401(k) gathering dust? Do you collect accounts here, there, and everywhere? Consider a rollover to simplify your financial life. If you have a current employer plan or other IRAs you prefer to use, assess whether you need multiple accounts or just one. There can be risk in spreading things out all over the place, and simplifying when possible is a gift to yourself.
Review Insurance Coverage
Make sure your home, auto, life, and disability insurance still meet your needs. Life changes? Your coverage should, too. Your coverage can be both too low and too high. Working with a seasoned professional can be really helpful.
Top Off Your Emergency Fund
Ensure you have at least 3–6 months of essential expenses saved. This fund is your first line of defense against life’s surprises. Sometimes your life and budget have expanded, and your emergency reserves need to also. In other cases, your cash may be too high and you need to find a new place to put money, like maximizing retirement or starting a taxable investment account.
Plan for Upcoming Big Expenses
Weddings, renovations, tuition, vacations—whatever’s coming up, build it into your plan. If your big ticket items are coming sooner, not later, review your game plan to make sure that it’s solid and you don’t need to research any challenges.
Update Your Beneficiaries
Check that beneficiaries on your retirement accounts, insurance policies, and transfer-on-death accounts reflect your current wishes. Beneficiary designations are a godsend and help to simplify estate planning, but they can come back to bite you if you neglect them. It doesn’t hurt to check everything at least once or twice a year!
Audit Your Debt
Review what you owe and what it’s costing you. Consider refinancing or accelerating payoff on high-interest debts. Interest rates are higher in 2025 than they’ve been in the past, and there is no guarantee that they’ll go back down. If you feel like you’re drowning in debt, making some serious changes may be warranted.
Maximize Rewards & Cash Back
Are you using credit cards or loyalty programs with the best perks for your lifestyle? You might be missing out. Some people collect their points or miles, but never spend them. That’s unfortunate, because sometimes the value of your accrual goes down, just like currency deflation. So, make a plan to both collect and also USE your rewards.
Automate Savings
Set it and forget it. Automatic transfers to savings or investment accounts help make your goals happen on autopilot. We love automation for bills, investing, saving, and distributions. So if you always love to click the button, consider simplifying with by setting things up to happen periodically.
Review Your Tax Withholding
Use the IRS Withholding Estimator to avoid surprises next April. If you got a big refund from your taxes, see if you should lower your withholding. And if your tax bill was surprisingly high, review to ensure that you’re properly withholding or paying estimates to avoid ongoing surprises or penalties.
Review Your Estate Plan
Have a will? Power of attorney? Healthcare directive? If not—or if it’s outdated—it’s time to take action. Proper estate planning protects you and your heirs.
Track Your Net Worth
Seeing your progress can be incredibly motivating. Track your assets vs. liabilities to stay in touch with your financial picture. It’s not necessary to update your bottom line every day, but a refresh to see where you stand once or twice a year helps to see your progress.
Rethink Charitable Giving
Spring into generosity! Consider monthly donations or donor-advised funds to support causes close to your heart.
Schedule a Money Date
Set a quarterly “money date” with yourself or your partner to talk finances without stress. If you make financial decisions jointly with a spouse or partner, sit down to see how things are going. Celebrate wins and plan to address weaknesses. You can also use money dates to educate family members on money topics or meet with a friend as an accountability partner for financial goals.
Connect with Your Financial Team
Spring is the perfect time to touch base with your financial planner, CPA, or estate attorney. Don’t have one yet? We know a great team. 😉If you’d like to learn more about financial planning services, schedule a time to meet.
🌷 Spring Clean, Pearl Planning Style
At Pearl Planning, we believe that your money should empower your dreams, not overwhelm you. Whether you’re building wealth, navigating a major transition, or just trying to “adult” a little better, these spring cleaning steps can help you move forward with confidence.
Want help getting organized or making sure your strategy is on track? Let’s talk.
