Outline for mid-life investors

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide for mid-life investors. 
Mid-life investors, for the purpose of this article, are perhaps about 30 to 55 years old. They are building their careers and their families. Mid-life investors are converting their human capital into financial capital by building portfolios and accumulating assets in pension plans, in preparation for retirement. Mid-life investors have to manage their expenses and liabilities, like a mortgage and other loans: it is a balancing act. Hopefully their net worth is growing over time, and they have embraced long-term financial planning.
This article is intended to help a reader learn about a subject quickly, by showing what topics it includes, and how those topics are related to each other. 
==The financial life cyle==
Mid-live investors are in the second stage of the financial life cycle, within the accumulation phase.
==Banking, budgeting and emergency fund==
*Make sure you are not spending too much on banking fees
*Update your budget to stay on top of your spending
*Check that your emergency fund is sufficiently large
==Credit and managing debt==
*Manage your debt and continue to make smart credit choices
*Check your credit report regularly, maintain a good credit record and protect yourself from fraud
*Pay off any remaining student loans and car loans
*Manage your credit card(s) and perhaps your line of credit
==Work-related financial choices==
*Contribute to employer pension plans and group retirement plans
*Stay up to date on your employee benefits
==Housing-related choices==
*Review the pros and cons of owning versus renting a dwelling
*Possibly manage a mortgage
==Insurance==
*Review the types and general principles of insurance
*If becoming a home owner, look at home insurance, mortgage insurance and possibly title insurance
*If renting a house or an apartment, you need tenant insurance
*Evaluate if you now need life insurance and disability insurance
==Investing: the basics==
*Refresh your memory about compound interest and the importance of saving early
*If also paying back loans, consider paying down loans versus investing
*If not already done, create a financial plan and get started on investing
*Re-evaluate if you want to contribute to a Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) or a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) (see also TFSAs versus RRSPs), or both
*If you are able to place your investments in several different kinds of accounts, see prioritizing investments
*Think about your savings rate: are you saving enough?
==DIY investing==
*Read about portfolio design and construction and see if you should revise your portfolio
*Review your asset allocation, taking into account risk and return
*Look at simple index portfolios or asset allocation ETFs for the simplest do-it-yourself (DIY) options
*Rebalance your portfolio regularly
*Write down your plan as an investment policy statement or a simplified investing plan for short term goals
*If you have determined that you won't succeed at DIY investing, or if you need help with planning, consult a financial advisor
==You have a spouse or children==
*Draft or update your will, your power of attorney documents(s), and designate guardians for minor children
*Contribute to Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs) for children
*Revisit your insurance coverage (see the relevant section above)
==What's next?==
Some very motivated savers/investors may become financially independent during this stage of life. Most people will continue working another 5, 10 or 15 years, during a "pre-retirement" stage.
==See also==
*Asking portfolio questions 
*Outline for young savers and investors
*Outline for pre-retirement investors
*Outline for investors in early retirement
*Outline for investors in late retirement
==References==
==External links==
* RetireHappy.ca, Financial Stages of Life
Category:Outlines
Category:Personal finance