Automate Your Wealth
Chapter 3: Stay the Course, Optimize Over Time

Lesson 3: Maintaining Your System in 1 Hour a Month

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🎯 Lesson Objective:

This chapter shows you how to keep your automated investment and tax-efficiency system running smoothly with just one hour per month. You’ll learn what to check, how to handle hiccups, and how to future-proof your setup—all without falling into the trap of micromanaging your money.

📋 1. Monthly 1-Hour Checklist

Spend 30–60 minutes each month doing just this:

  • Check for cash build-up in your checking or brokerage sweep account.

  • Confirm auto-contributions ran (401(k), Roth IRA, HSA, etc.).

  • Scan for unusual alerts or emails from your brokerage or bank.

  • Look for failed or skipped transfers in your automation flow.

  • Glance at account balances, not investment performance.

  • Skim your calendar for bonus income, upcoming deadlines, or expected tax events.

⏱️ Goal: Get in, get out. Trust your system. No doom-scrolling charts.

🚨 2. How to Handle Exceptions and Alerts

Things will occasionally go wrong. Here’s how to respond:

  • Failed transfer? Retry it or adjust your source account balance.

  • Login issue or MFA expired? Reconnect and test the flow.

  • Unusual email from your brokerage? Scan for security or policy changes.

  • Contribution didn’t go through? Look for system rule changes (e.g. maxed out IRA, income limits, etc.).

  • Avoid rabbit holes—only act if it breaks your automation.

🔁 3. When to Revisit or Reroute

Your system should evolve as you do. Revisit it when:

  • You start a new job, receive a raise, or earn variable income like bonuses or RSUs.

  • You change banks, brokerages, or payroll providers.

  • You want to raise or lower your savings rate.

  • You’ve reached a new financial milestone (e.g. maxed HSA or IRA).

Add a recurring calendar reminder to review after major financial events.

📊 4. Optional: Quarterly Deep-Dive

If you want to go the extra mile every few months:

  • Rebalance only if allocations are off by 5–10%+.

  • Check progress toward contribution limits (IRA, HSA, 401(k)).

  • Review FSA balances or HSA reimbursements if applicable.

  • Look for tax-loss harvesting opportunities if you DIY (or confirm your provider is doing this).

  • Optionally update your net worth dashboard—just once per quarter is plenty.

✅ Key Takeaways

  • You don’t need a complicated portfolio to grow wealth—simplicity scales

  • Focus on US stocks, international stocks, and bonds

  • Pick low-cost total market index funds

  • Adjust your mix based on your risk tolerance and age

  • Rebalance once or twice a year—or automate it

🧠 Quick Quiz

  • False. Only act if the alert affects your system’s function (e.g., failed transfer, login issue).

  • Major life or income changes should prompt a system review.

  • Rebalancing is optional and typically done quarterly or when drift exceeds 5–10%.

  • Set it and forget it—with periodic light check-ins.

🎉 Up Next — You’re Ready to Automate Your Wealth

You’ve done something most people never do:

You’ve built a system that grows your wealth, minimizes taxes, and runs with almost no effort.

That’s not just a financial win—it’s a lifestyle upgrade.

🔄 Keep Your System Running Smoothly

Your next steps:

  • ✅ Schedule your first monthly check-in using my free 1-hour checklist from this course

  • 📅 Set calendar reminders for your monthly review and quarterly tune-up

  • 🧾 Download your free maintenance checklist and keep it somewhere visible

  • 📂 Bookmark this course so you can revisit key lessons after life changes

🧰 Recommended Tools to Power Your System

Your system is only as strong as the tools behind it.

👉 Browse My Recommended Tools →

  • Hand-picked brokerages

  • Automation platforms

  • Tax-advantaged account providers I trust—and in some cases, use myself.

🛠 Customize and Expand Your Setup

Now that the foundation’s in place:

  • Review your brokerage automations every 6–12 months

  • Consider adding a net worth dashboard (optional) to track progress

  • When ready, explore estate planning, tax-loss harvesting, or charitable giving automation

📣 Help Others + Grow the Movement

  • 🗣️ Tell one person what you trust about this course—share what changed for you

  • 💌 Join the Buck by Buck newsletter for updates, bonus tools, and new lessons (coming soon!)

  • 🧠 Send feedback: What helped you most? What’s still unclear? Your input shapes future content.

👉 Click here to leave feedback, request the next course topic, or if you have any questions for your unique situation.

Thanks for being part of Automate Your Wealth.

Here’s to financial peace, one automated dollar at a time!