MONEY SAVVY WEEKEND : Financial Planner : Checklist: End of the Quarter

Things to do this weekend with your money:

Two key financial dates are coming up, one for investors and one for procrastinators, but both have tax implications.

* Oct. 15 is the last day you can file your 1998 income tax returns if you got an extension in August. If you haven’t filed, make sure you’re on track to do so.

* Sept. 30 marks the end of the third quarter. It’s a good time for investors to review their portfolios and consider making adjustments and tax-related moves, such as selling losing stocks to offset gains in winning stocks. For more information, consult a good tax guide such as “The Ernst & Young Tax Saver’s Guide 1999” ($12.95, John Wiley & Sons).

* The end of the third quarter is also a good time to review your tax-saver account, which allows you to put aside pretax money to pay for child care or medical expenses. Any money you don’t use by year-end is lost, so review your account and make plans to use any balances. If you didn’t sign up for your company’s tax-saver plan, make a note to do so when open enrollment comes in October or November.