11 Important February Financial Dates We're Adding to Our Calendar

February might be the shortest month, but it's full of important financial deadlines and events. If you are trying to build your wealth, we've got the perfect financial roadmap to make February a winning month.

So, mark your calendars and prepare for a rundown of the 11 biggest fiscal dates in the month of February.

Many health insurance plans start on Feb. 1 for those who enrolled in coverage or changed plans at the end of the year. If you changed your coverage between Dec. 16 and Jan. 15, your first month on the new plan will be in February.

Check with your insurance carrier, look up your plan's details, and pay your first premium before the first day of the month.

Paying your monthly bills can be a stressful experience, so this week was created to help people start good money habits.

Paying your bills on time is the heart of the aptly named week. Start by reviewing your expenses and accounts. If possible, set up auto-pay for some of your bills.

Dig into the data and see what kind of changes you had over the previous month. Even a few tweaks to your monthly spending can result in big changes over time.

The biggest sporting event of the year takes place on Sunday, Feb. 9. Even if you're not rooting for one team in particular, the big game always creates a party atmosphere.

Whether planning a party or going to a friend's house, building out a budget and plan is critical to having a rocking Super Bowl experience. Look for deals on groceries and party favors that can lower your expenses when celebrating the game.

Ditch that expensive and unnecessary cable bill and join the millions who have already cut the cord. This day celebrates the change from expensive cable services to affordable streaming services.

A lot of streaming companies have special deals for first-time signups, so look into finding a service that you like and ditch the cable company for good.

For millions of people, Social Security is a vital part of retiree income. So, make sure you circle your pay date on the calendar.

Pay dates correspond to what time of the month you were born. Payment dates are as follows:

• Feb. 12 for those born between Feb. 1-10
• Feb. 19 for those born between Feb. 11-20
• Feb. 26 for those born between Feb. 21-28

The annual celebration of love and romance is one of the biggest days on the financial calendar, and for good reason: Consumer spending on Valentine's Day was $25.8 billion in 2024, according to Capital One.

You don't have to break the bank to show your love, and there are plenty of low-budget options for you to choose from. Just have a plan in mind for what you want to get for that special someone.

Sales tax holidays are a great opportunity to score amazing deals. Select items are exempt from sales tax during the holiday.

Alabama and Maryland are the two states with the first sales tax holidays of 2025.

Maryland's runs through Feb. 15-17 with the "Shop Maryland Energy" theme. You can get tax breaks on Energy Star appliances, including standard refrigerators, air conditioners, boilers, heat pumps, washers, dryers, compact fluorescent light bulbs, dehumidifiers, and solar water heaters

Alabama's tax holiday runs through Feb. 21-23, with sales on emergency preparedness items such as batteries, smoke detectors, fuel containers, and fire extinguishers.

The third Monday of February is officially recognized as "Washington's Birthday," a nod to the first U.S. president. However, the holiday has evolved to celebrate Abraham Lincoln's birthday as well.

Since this is a federal holiday, banks and stock exchanges will be closed for the day. The post office also will be closed.

However, having a day off from work is a great opportunity to head over to a brick-and-mortar retailer to snag some holiday deals.

Feb. 18 is the deadline if you're claiming a tax withholding exemption via Form W-4. You must give your employer a new W-4 form by this date to remain exempt from withholding.

Feb. 18 is also the deadline for companies to send out 1099-B, 1099-S, and 1099-MISC tax forms. These 1099s cover proceeds from stock and security transactions (1099-B) and real estate transactions (1099-S), as well as miscellaneous income (1099-MISC).

These are important documents when it comes time to file your income taxes. Once you have them in hand, along with your other tax forms, you can begin the filing process.

The entire month of February is dedicated to spreading awareness about financial aid. If you haven't done so, take a look at the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Use February as a springboard to build your financial fitness and make smart money moves that set yourself up for a great rest of the year.

Marking these dates on your calendar helps you to make the most of your money so you can begin to blaze a trail that leads to financial freedom.