Gyroscopic Investing

Any suggestions on last minute financial and/or tax tips? Personally I will be going over my yearly capital gains and balancing with gold losses. Today's large capital gains distribution in PRPFX came as a surprise and I will need to harvest some losses to offset.

Another suggestion is to pay any real estate taxes due on Jan 1st 2014 before the end of this year so that you can claim the deduction on this year's income taxes.

I do several things at the end of the year:

1. Review investments & allocations/re allocations
2. Review & update household budget (we don't really budget, we typically spend and look back to see if its excessive)
3. Look at income phase outs to see if we can contribute to different accounts.
4. View & update wills
5. Think about what places I'd like to see or things I'd like to do before I die--just in case it happens to be before Jan 2015.
5. Look back on the previous year and be thankful for all the things I take for granted.  I try to remind myself that time is running out and I'm another year closer to not existing anymore.  On one hand it's a bit of a downer.  On the other, it gives me a renewed sense of urgency to live large, act boldly and not sweat the small stuff.  If there's something I really need to cross off "the list," I try hard to make it happen.

*Looking at your post again, you were asking for suggestions--rather than what I do....

I'm sure you do this already, but look at every tax advantaged vehicle possible to shelter income--especially if you are in the upper brackets.  If you itemize, see if you can spend a day cleaning out your house of stuff that can be donated and written off your taxes.  We haven't cleaned out our closets in forever and have literally thousands in clothes that will be donated (in 2014) and written off (in 2015).