
Consolidation Checklist
Find your money
Identify all your investment accounts—IRAs, 401(k)s, college savings, brokerage, etc.—and the companies that hold them. You might have more than you think; previous employers' retirement plans are often overlooked. You may also have beneficiary accounts after settling a family estate.
Locate your statements
You might have electronic statements for some, paper for others. You may also notice that you pay closer attention to some accounts, either because of the account type or because of the way the statements are delivered.
Ask yourself how often you aggregate all your statement balances (with software or an advisor) to evaluate performance and see how your assets are allocated. Additionally, it's a good idea to add up how much you pay in fees for each account.
Put it all together
If accounting for your money and statements is difficult (or impossible), your portfolio could benefit from a consolidated view.