By Jim Anderson/Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD- The beginning of the year is an apt time to examine your personal finances, a financial planner says.

Larry Stein, a certified financial planner in Deerfield, says you don’t have to feel guilty about being imperfect, because a lot of people are, even if they’re smart in other areas.

“Sometimes even the shoemaker’s kids don’t have good shoes, and it’s quite often that even a highly competent top professional may not handle things in the most sound way when it comes to their personal finances,” he said.

Bad practices:

– Maintaining credit card balances, and having those balances go up over the year

– Dipping into emergency reserves for a non-emergencies

– Not requesting your free annual credit report

– Not having a will

– Not contributing to your employer’s 401(k) plan, especially if your employer matches your contribution.

Good practices:

– Shopping with a list

– Preparing a budget every year to govern your spending

– Paying yourself first. For example, you automatically set aside a portion of your paycheck for short-term and long-term financial goals

– Knowing your FICO credit score, your net worth, your marginal tax rate, and your monthly fixed expenses.

For details, go to www.letsmakeaplan.org.