Life Changes

When you experience a major change in your life, there can be a lot to do. We want to help you make sure your bases are covered by offering these simple checklists to help you better transition into the next chapter of your life!

Having a Baby

• Having a baby changes everything. Start planning early so you are prepared when your new bundle of joy arrives.
• Set aside several months of living expenses for emergencies and cash flow reserves.
• Set up a Georgia Heritage Savings account in which to deposit monetary gifts.
• Create a budget.
• Add your child to your life and health insurance policies.
• Apply for a social security number for the child with the Social Security Administration.
• Update your will and select a legal guardian.
• Research child care options.
• Start a college savings plan.

Getting Married

• Preparing for a wedding is an exciting, and sometimes overwhelming, event in your life. Don't forget to discuss your financial goals and plans with your fiance before the big day. Taking time to plan ahead will help ease the transition into marriage.
• Create a combined household budget.
• Open a joint Georgia Heritage checking account for your household expenses.
• Update your personal information, legal and financial documents with name changes.
• Change your marital status and add your spouse.
• Change beneficiaries.
• Create an investment and savings plan.

Getting Divorced

• During this difficult time, it's important to take care of necessary personal information.
• Update your personal information, legal and financial documents, with any name changes.
• Update auto titles and registration.
• Change account login information.
• Change access to your bills.
• Open new individual Georgia Heritage savings and checking accounts.
• Review joint credit cards.
• Investigate your current mortgage options.
• Update your direct deposit and automatic payments with new information.
• Update beneficiaries.

Buying a Home

• Understand the home-buying process and mortgage options.
• Know how much home you can afford before you begin looking at the real estate market.
• Research local schools and neighborhoods.
• Contact the credit reporting agencies to review your credit score.
• Be an informed buyer and research any potential home.
• Get pre-approved for a mortgage at Georgia Heritage before you look for your new home.

Going to College

• Whether you are leaving home for the first time or going back to school later in life, Georgia Heritage can help with your financial needs.
• Open a Coverdell Education Savings account when your children are young and make frequent deposits.
• Open your child a joint savings and/or checking account at Georgia Heritage while they are in high school. Teach them how to manage their finances so they are ready to be fiscally responsible when they move away.