7 Tips to Spring Clean Your Finances

Spring is here-ish and it’s time to open the windows and tackle our springtime to-do lists.And as long as you’re on a roll, why not turn a little of that energy to your finances? After all, you just had to dig out all your paperwork to deal with your taxes. Instead of just shoving it back into the box or filing cabinet, why not give it a good spring cleaning too? You can do it! And we’ve got seven easy tips that can help.

1. Get a copy of your credit report.

Errors on your report could make it hard to get a loan or a credit card. You also want to make sure no one has opened accounts in your name. You can get one free annual report from each of the three credit bureaus (TransUnion, Experian and Equifax) by going to annualcreditreport.com. If you do find a mistake, notify the three credit bureaus and get it corrected.

2. Do a big picture financial review.

Now’s a good time to figure out if you need to make changes to get and/or stay on track. Good things to put on the list include saving for major goals (like a house, the kids’ college or retirement) and building an emergency fund (aim to cover all expenses for at least three months).Whatever your goal, we can help you make sure your money is doing the most it can with our higher-rate savings options – like our or .

3. Review your insurance policies.

Do some rate shopping but make sure you’re comparing apples to apples – there could be a reason one policy seems so much cheaper than another. And if you’ve changed or remodeled your home or property, make sure that’s reflected in your insurance coverage.

4. Consolidate retirement accounts.

If you’ve switched jobs and have a 401(k) from a previous employer, don’t just let it sit there – make sure it’s hard at work. The retirement goals you had when you set it up may have changed.

5. Go through your documents.

Sure, it’s tempting to save everything but most of us don’t have space for that. There are some documents you should keep forever and ever – birth/marriage/death certificates, divorce decrees, wills, Social Security cards and military discharge papers all fall into that category. For tax-related records the experts usually recommend seven years.* And if you have assets, whether it’s something like a stock or a piece of property, hold on to records for as long as you own it, plus three years.
You can scan and store receipts and records electronically—but if you go that route, make sure your records are thorough and back them up! Have documents to dispose of? Don’t just toss them in the trash: shred ‘em!

6. Update (and protect!) your passwords.

It’s a good idea to change your passwords at least once a year and to store them in a password-protected document.

7. Celebrate Money Smart Week (typically in April) with a new financial goal.

Now that your finances are all clean and tidy, give yourself a new financial challenge and make it happen with Summit’s . This online tool makes it easy to track your expenses and set goals. Check it out!That wasn’t so hard and now you can relax and enjoy spring knowing your finances are all cleaned up!*
You might also be interested in Spring is here-ish and it’s time to open the windows and tackle our springtime to-do lists. And as long as you’re on a roll, why not turn a little of that... Is “your baby” about to leave home? Whether that has you mooning over their old first day of school photos or plotting how to repurpose their bedroom (or... Whatever the reason or the season, planning your next vacation could be weighing on your mind. According to an article in LearnVe$t, an organization committed... You’re a savvy saver. You plan your monthly budget. You find the best deals. You even have a little something stashed away in an emergency fund. And now... Buying a car is a big deal — hey, those things are expensive! And even if picking out a vehicle is one of your most favorite things ever, it can still... Ever wanted to create a trust fund but not sure where to start? Well, we have your back! We’ll break down the different decisions you’ll need to make when... Each generation comes with its own unique challenges. For millennials, this often means a lower degree of financial literacy. Finances can be daunting... As long-time home owners will tell you, costly household repairs make you miss the good ol’ days of calling your landlord to come and fix things “quickly... The holidays can be such a magical season! Time with family and friends. Celebrating old traditions and making new memories. Taste testing each and every... Please read the following before proceeding to: The website you are about to visit is solely the responsibility of the merchant or other party providing the site. The content of this third-party site, including materials and information, is solely the responsibility of the provider of the site. The Credit Union is not responsible for any such third-party content. Any transactions that you enter into with a vendor, merchant or other party that you access through this third-party site are solely between you and that vendor, merchant or other party. The Credit Union does not endorse the content contained in this third-party site, nor the organization publishing the site, and hereby disclaims any responsibility for such content. The Credit Union Privacy Policy does not apply to this third-party site, and for further information you should consult the privacy disclosures of the third-party site.
NCUA Insurance Estimator Privacy, Security & Accessibility Rates Terms and Fees Routing Number
The Wisconsin's #1 Mortgage Lender designation is based on the number of loans in 2023, gathered from the Home Mortgage Disclosure Act data compiled annually by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The results of the data were obtained through the LEI: 254900NTAC4H10MGSU23 ** SBA Lender of the Year Award for Credit Unions as awarded by the Small Business Administration of Wisconsin in 2024. Copyright 2025 © Summit Credit Union. All rights reserved. If you are using a screen reader and are having problems using this website, please call 608-243-5000 for assistance. Insured by NCUA