Many of us put off our finances until the end of the year. But if you’re tempted to delay further, consider this: now is your last chance to tie up financial loose ends for 2023.

You might do your research, keep a budget spreadsheet, and have every intention to approach your finances with a level head. But here’s the problem. When taking action, we rely 99% on rational decision-making and 1% on emotions. And it’s that 1% that triggers us to act.

Many families question whether to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You might think you’ve saved enough for college, or that your income and assets are too high to qualify for aid. With all the talk of how much Americans owe in student loan debt—$1.78 trillion as of the first quarter of 2023—you might think it’s better to avoid expensive schools than to borrow. If your child is going to college in 2024, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens on October 1st. Here are five reasons to fill it out—and why I often recommend it.