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Episode 104 – The Cost of Financial Clutter—and How to Fix It

Are You Financially Organized? 5 Questions That Can Change Everything

You might know how much you earn. Maybe you even know what you spend each month. But do you know where all your accounts are? When your insurance renews? Who to call if something happens to you?

In Episode 104 of The Last Paycheck, Rob and Archie Hoxton discuss what financial advisors quietly observe: that disorganization is one of the biggest (and most underdiagnosed) threats to financial health.

We’re not just talking about a messy desk. We’re talking about forgotten accounts, lapsed insurance, missed deadlines, and decision fatigue caused by scattered information.

Here are five questions to ask yourself today to start clearing the fog:

1. Do You Know Where Your Money Is Going?

Budgeting is one thing. Awareness is another.

  • Are you tracking fixed vs. discretionary spending?
  • Are there subscriptions you don’t use?
  • Does your spending reflect your values—or just habits?

Tip: Use a spending tracker (even just for 30 days) to see where your money leaks are.

2. Are Your Accounts and Documents Organized?

Many people have IRAs they’ve forgotten about, bank accounts that barely earn interest, or insurance policies they haven’t reviewed in years.

  • Can you name all your active accounts?
  • Are your beneficiaries current?
  • Do you know how your assets are titled?

Tip: Create a one-page inventory that lists every account, document, and key contact.

3. Do You Have a System for Tracking?

Your financial dashboard doesn’t have to be fancy—but it does need to exist.

  • Are you using software, spreadsheets, or a binder?
  • Can you quickly check your net worth or upcoming bills?
  • Do you track tax documents, insurance renewals, or due dates?

Tip: Start with a monthly finance date—just one hour to check progress and prep for what’s next.

4. Can Your Partner or Loved Ones Step In If Needed?

One of the most overlooked issues: financial gatekeeping.

  • If something happened to you, would your spouse or child know where to find information?
  • Is your will, power of attorney, and insurance contact list easily accessible?

Tip: Consider creating a “financial fire drill” document. It doesn’t have to be public—but it should exist.

5. Are You Making Decisions Based on Goals—or Stress?

When everything feels chaotic, people tend to make reactive decisions—sell that stock, cancel that insurance, or pull money out prematurely.

  • Are you acting from a plan, or reacting to pressure?
  • Are your financial decisions aligned with long-term goals?

Tip: Use planning tools to give structure to your decisions. You don’t have to do this alone.

Final Thought

Financial organization is more than a task—it’s a discipline. It reduces mental load, helps avoid costly mistakes, and keeps you moving toward what actually matters.

Financial clutter creates costly mistakes.

Get organized with our Financial Command Center Worksheet—a step-by-step tool to help you consolidate accounts, track documents, and prep your plan for anything.
Download the Worksheet
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards Center for Financial Planning, Inc. owns and licenses the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States to Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc., which authorizes individuals who successfully complete the organization’s initial and ongoing certification requirements to use the certification marks.