Tag Archives: Financial Planning

Wealth and Financial Freedom Mindset

Posted on by

A major factor regarding effectively managing your money and achieving financial freedom is maintaining a positive and confident mindset. Maintaining a positive growth mindset takes effort and knowledge. Here are some ways to start thinking about financial matters and building wealth:

Focus On What You Want – And Take It! So many people are too timid to admit they want something and go for it. When there is something that you want to accomplish don’t think “I could never actually do that”, think “I could do that and I WILL do that”. Play to win, not to avoid defeat.

This doesn’t mean to have to become a selfish jerk. What it means is becoming more assertive and honest with yourself. You don’t have to grab off other people. There is a big pot of unclaimed gold in the middle of the table — why shouldn’t you be the one to claim it? You deserve it!

Confront closely-held beliefs. Spend some time dissecting and understanding the previously-held beliefs you have about money. You learn a lot about money from your family at a young age—either that money is good or money is evil, for example.

Some people may grow up believing that money is a scarce resource, while others understand money as a tool. There are many numbers of qualities that get assigned to money that are not objectively true.

If you have major fear or shame regarding money, you may want to consider working through these emotions with a financial therapist. Your feelings are valid—but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them.

Integrate affirmations into your daily routine. You may find affirmations to be a grounding part of your day. For example, affirmations such as “I am worthy of wealth,” “I am capable of managing my money,” and “There is money out there to be made by me” could act as helpful reminders that you are in charge of your money and not the other way around.

To develop a positive mindset and to become a person who is “good with money”, it is essential to understand that achieving financial freedom and accumulating wealth is a journey. So, consider taking it step by step. Start by building familiarity with your financial situation, and look for small ways to improve it and make it better every day.

Don’t Spend Your Money – Invest It. The reason you need to save your money is to grow it by investing it for the long term. Millionaires tend to be frugal people, and that’s because they know the true value of money is in investing. Being your own boss goes hand-in-hand with building wealth. You’ll want to quit your regular job at some point.

Bottomline is to stop working for your money and invest, which puts your money to work for you.

Rather than buying yourself a new iPad, that $500 could be used to invest in the stock market. Find the right shares (more on that later), and that money could easily double within a year.

References:

  1. https://www.lifehack.org/articles/money/develop-millionaire-mindset-6-easy-steps.html
  2. https://www.sofi.com/learn/content/am-i-bad-with-money/

Historic Inflation Worries Americans

Posted on by

Worries by Americans over historic inflation level and higher retail prices are now larger than concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, according to recent polls from Monmouth and AP-NORC.

The U.S. consumer price index rose 0.8% in November from October. The Labor Department said consumer prices grew last month at an annual rate of 6.8%, which is the highest in 39 years since President Carter administration. The growth in prices were led by cars, food, gasoline, electricity and fuel oil.

As the bulk of Americans cite inflation and paying their bills as their top concerns, President Joe Biden’s job approval ratings fell to new lows with 69% disapproving of how he is handling inflation, according to an ABC/Ipsos poll.

Additionally, inflation concerns could potentially cost the President and Democrats’ their coveted social and environment legislation. It is believed that adding additional fiscal spending to already exploding government debt that adds juice to the economy might worsen inflation critics assert.

Most economists agree that the Build Back Better bill would add to inflationary pressures in the short run, however, they differed over its effects on inflation over the long term. Furthermore, most economists see inflation coming down sometime next year, but the debate is over how soon and by how much.

The bill will probably increase demand over the next few years, Harvard University professor Doug Elmendorf said. “That will tend to push up GDP and employment and inflation — which is not the policy impulse we need right now,” he added. Elmendorf served in the administration of former Democratic President Bill Clinton

References:

  1. https://www.barrons.com/articles/two-thirds-of-americans-polled-disapprove-of-how-biden-has-handled-inflation-51639331904
  2. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-17/top-economists-see-biden-s-spending-plan-adding-to-inflation

Calculating Net Worth

Posted on by

Calculating net worth involves adding up all your assets and subtracting all your liabilities.  The resulting sum is your net worth.

The value of your primary residence is not included in your net worth calculation.  In addition, any mortgage or other loan on the residence does not count as a liability up to the fair market value of the residence.  If the loan is for more than the fair market value of the residence (i.e., if your mortgage is underwater), then the loan amount that is over the fair market value counts as a liability under the net worth test.

Further, any increase in the loan amount in the 60 days prior to your purchase of the securities (even if the loan amount does not exceed the value of the residence) will count as a liability as well.  The reason for this is to prevent net worth from being artificially inflated through converting home equity into cash or other assets.

The following table sets forth examples of calculations under the net worth test for being an accredited investor:

Accredited Investor table

References:

 

Successful Investors and Financial Literacy

Posted on by

Investing is all about: Putting your money to work for you making more money.

One of the most glaring failures in the U.S. K-12 education system is the lack of even basic education in the areas of personal finance, budgeting, saving and investing. We’re becoming a nation in crisis with regard to our schools’ failure to prepare and educate K-12 students in personal finance and decision-making.

Financial illiteracy is an American epidemic and the crisis is growing, according to the non-profit American Public Education Foundation’s national report card on K-12 personal financial education: Vision 2020 Financial Literacy Report Card, 2019-2020. The 50-state review points to a nation in crisis with regard to our schools’ failure to prepare and educate K-12 students in personal finance and decision-making.

“America is facing a growing epidemic,” observed David A. Pickler, J.D., CFP®, ChFC®, CDFA®, an award-winning wealth advisor and education leader and one of Financial Times’ 400 Top Advisors. “Our nation is rapidly sinking into a sea of debt and financial dependency. We have created a collective culture where it is acceptable to pursue bankruptcy as a solution to irresponsible financial behavior and decision making. Each of us has a responsibility to change this culture, to become accountable partners in preparing our children to make sound financial choices, or face the consequences that will undermine America’s future and threaten our economic and national security interests.”

According to The Aspen Institute, 16% of suicides in the US occur in response to a financial problem. Further, a USA TODAY report states that less than one-fourth of young Americans ages 18 to 26 are “very optimistic” about their financial futures.

Financial literacy

One of the most successful traders in history once remarked, “If I’d only been taught in high school what I later managed to learn on my own about investing, I likely could have retired wealthy by age 35.”

Anyone can potentially reap massive financial benefits from simply taking the time to learn the basics about investing as early as possible in life. It’s not too late to begin building a fortune through investing, and the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll achieve your financial dreams.

There are two truths:

  • Taking the time to acquire investing knowledge and skills, whether at sixteen or sixty, will put you well ahead of your peers in terms of financial literacy and in terms of financial success.
  • An important “secret” about investing and wealth – “You can make a lot more money a lot faster by sending your money to work for you every day, rather than just sending yourself to work every day.”

The best, most successful investors are continually learning and continually honing and expanding their skills at making money in the financial markets.

Stocks, also known as equities, represent fractional ownership in a company, asset, or security. The stock market is a place where investors can buy and sell ownership of such investable assets.

References:

  1. https://www.theapef.org/post/vision2020
  2. https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/trading-investing/investing-beginners-guide/

Retail Investor Inflation Strategy

Posted on by

Inflation refers to an aggregate increase in prices, commonly measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

The federal government has pumped trillions of dollars into the economy through deficit spending and stimulus measures since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Meanwhile, the central bank of the United States, the Federal Reserve, has dropped interest rates to near zero and has committed to keeping them there through 2023.

The Federal Reserve’s mandates are to manage the money supply and set the federal funds interest rate in an attempt to keep inflation within a reasonable limit. This reasonable level of inflation is maintained because it encourages people to spend now, thereby promoting economic growth, rather than saving, as a dollar today is worth more than the same dollar tomorrow on average.

A constant level of inflation helps maintain price stability and is thought to maximize employment and economic well-being. Investors expect returns greater than this “reasonable,” average level of inflation, and workers expect wage increases to keep pace with the increasing cost of living.

The Consumer Price Index tracks prices for a broad range of products such as gasoline, healthcare, and groceries. The CPI rose 6.2% in October from the same month in 2020, the biggest spike since December 1990, according to the Labor Department.

High and variable inflation is considered bad for both investors and the wider U.S. economy because it can eat away at the value of financial assets denominated in the inflated currency, such as cash and bonds, particularly longer term bonds with more interest rate risk.

The prospect of variable or high inflation introduces uncertainty to both the economy and the stock market, which doesn’t really benefit anyone. This uncertainty or variable inflation distorts asset pricing and wages at different times. Prices also tend to rise faster and earlier than wages, potentially contributing to economic contraction and possible recession.

“Cash is not a safe investment, is not a safe place because it will be taxed by inflation.” Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates

In an inflationary environment, “cash is trash” since inflation operates like a tax which causes saved dollars lose value over time. High inflation rates decrease the purchasing power of money and it discourages people from holding cash assets and saving. “Cash is not a safe investment, is not a safe place because it will be taxed by inflation,” Bridgewater Associates’ Ray Dalio, the founder of the world’s biggest hedge fund said on CNBC Squawk Box.

Here are several suggestions for investors to consider to counter the risk and derisive impact of inflation on assets and the economy.

  • Consider buying equity stocks like bank stocks or consumer goods companies that will benefit from higher inflation or higher interest rates. Banking, consumer staples, energy, utility, and healthcare equities are likely to perform well. Banks would come out ahead if the Federal Reserve eventually raises interest rates to combat inflation, and banks’ spreads between loans and deposits widen. Also, look for companies that benefit from rising labor costs and be very attentive to how much you pay for (e.g., the intrinsic value) of risk assets.
  • Consider buying TIPS, or Treasury inflation-protected securities, which are a useful way to protect your investment in government bonds. These U.S. government bonds are indexed to inflation, so if inflation moves up, the effective interest rate paid on TIPS will too. TIPS bonds pay interest every six months, and they’re issued in maturities of 5, 10 and 30 years. Because they’re backed by the U.S. federal government, they’re considered among the safest investments in the world.
  • Avoid fixed income assets such as corporate and government non-TIP bonds. If rates rise sharply, their principal value will take a major hit. If rates climb, then certificates of deposit, fixed annuities, bonds, and bond funds purchased today will look less attractive in the future. Similarly, buying a lifetime income annuity is less enticing in an inflationary environment. The monthly check you get for the rest of your life will lose value more quickly with high inflation.
  • Keep the right sort of debt. Don’t pay off that home mortgage or real estate investment mortgages early, you’re better off paying it off over time with watered-down dollars. Homeowners carrying fixed mortgages with low interest rates are in a great position. It’s highly recommended to refinance your mortgage to lock in low rates. If inflation takes off, homes prices are likely to climb and your fixed monthly payment may appear like a real bargain in a few years.
  • Consider commodities or gold. Investing in oil, natural gas, wheat and corn can be good hedges against inflation. Gold has traditionally been a safe-haven asset for investors when inflation revs up or interest rates are very low. Gold tends to fare well when real interest rates – that is, the reported rate of interest minus the inflation rate – go into negative territory. Investors often view gold as a store of value during tough economic times.
  • Make essential purchases and charitable giving. If consumers expect to spend money on home goods, renovations, car repairs, or other products and services, they might be better off doing so now, before prices climb even higher.
  • Expect rising health costs. Health costs have risen faster than inflation for years. The pandemic, which is driving some health professionals out of the field, could accelerate that trend.

Keep in mind that inflation is always happening within the economy, but hopefully at a relatively low and steady rate, and kept under control by the Federal Reserve. Investors with a long time horizon, a high tolerance for risk, and a high allocation to stocks shouldn’t be worried about short-term inflation fears.

However, it’s perfectly suitable and even desirable for retirees, risk-averse investors, and those with a short time horizon to have some allocation to inflation-protected assets like TIPS, REITs and bank stocks.

Rising inflation is a big concern for investors, but it remains to be seen whether current high levels of inflation will persist or end up being due to “transitory” factors. Investors will likely come out ahead using assets like equity stocks, REITs, short-term nominal bonds, and TIPS to hedge against inflation.

References:

  1. https://www.barrons.com/articles/protect-finances-from-inflation-51637782342
  2. https://www.optimizedportfolio.com/inflation/
  3. https://www.bankrate.com/investing/inflation-hedges-to-protect-against-rising-prices/

Protect yourself from identity theft

Posted on by

Nearly 45 billion dollars were stolen from identity theft victims in 2020. LifeLock

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing financial crimes in America. Each year, millions of Americans discover that a criminal has fraudulently used their personal information to obtain goods and services and that they have become victims of identity theft.

A wide range of sensitive personal information can be used to commit identity theft, including a person’s name, address, date of birth, Social Security number (SSN), driver’s license number, credit card and bank account numbers, and phone numbers.

Once identity thieves have your personal information, they can drain your bank account, run up charges on your credit cards, open new utility accounts, or get medical treatment on your health insurance. An identity thief can file a tax refund in your name and get your refund. In some extreme cases, a thief might even give your name to the police during an arrest.

The most common form of identity theft involves the fraudulent use of a victim’s personal information for financial gain. According to the Federal Trade Commission’s Guide for Assisting Identity Theft Victims, there are two main types of financial frauds:

Using the victim’s existing credit, bank, or other accounts

  • A victim of existing account misuse often can resolve problems directly with the financial institution, which will consider the victim’s prior relationship with the institution and the victim’s typical spending and payment patterns.

Opening new accounts in the victim’s name

  • A victim of new account identity theft usually has no preexisting relationship with the creditor to help prove she is not responsible for the debts.
  • The new account usually is reported to one or more credit reporting agencies (CRA), where it then appears on the victim’s credit report. Since the thief does not pay the bills, the account goes to collections and appears as a bad debt on the victim’s credit report. Often, the victim does not discover the existence of the account until it is in collection.
  • The victim must prove to the creditor that she is not responsible for the account and clear the bad debt information from her credit report.

The primary tool for preventing criminals from opening additional new accounts in your name are to implement a fraud alert and credit freeze. In most cases, you should place an initial fraud alert on your credit report as quickly as possible after discovering that you have become an identity theft victim, or you realize that your sensitive personal information has been stolen. Once you implemented a fraud alert, you will have some time to consider whether to place an extended fraud alert or a credit freeze on your credit report. You also will be able to obtain a free credit report and review the report to see if it shows that there has been additional fraud by the criminal.

https://twitter.com/ebrownl33/status/146436870204497510

To prevent identity theft, it is critical to keep your personal information safe:

  • Shred financial documents and paperwork with personal information before you discard them.
  • Protect your Social Security number. Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet or write your Social Security number on a check. Provide it only when absolutely necessary. You may always ask to use another identifier.
  • Don’t provide personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless the party is known and reputable.
  • Never click on links sent in unsolicited e-mail messages.
  • Use firewalls, anti-spyware, and anti-virus software to protect your personal computer. Keep the protections up-to-date. Visit OnGuardOnline.gov for more information.
  • Don’t use an obvious password like your birth date, your mother’s maiden name, the last four digits of your Social Security number, or your phone number.
  • Keep all personal information in a secure place at home, especially if you have roommates or employ outside help.

Monitor your financial information regularly and request a free copy of your credit report annually. Review various financial accounts and statements, checking for the following:

  • Purchases that were not made by you
  • Bills that do not arrive as expected
  • Unexpected credit cards or account statements
  • Denials of credit for no apparent reason
  • Calls or letters about purchases you did not make

If identity theft is suspected, act quickly!

Identity theft victims have the right to block the reporting of information that resulted from identity theft. Credit reporting agencies (CRAs) are responsible for blocking fraudulent information from appearing in victims’ credit reports, but also to notify furnishers (creditors, debt collectors, and other companies that reported the information).

As the victim, you must provide the CRAs with the following information in writing:

  • a copy of an Identity Theft Report (filed with law enforcement). The Identity Theft Report is the primary tool for removing inaccurate identity theft-related information from your credit report.
  • a letter explaining what information is fraudulent as a result of identity theft
  • the letter should state that the information does not relate to any transaction that the consumer made or authorized
  • proof of identity, which may include the consumer’s Social Security number, name, address, and other personal information requested by the CRA

In summary, identity theft happens when someone steals your personal information to commit fraud. The criminals may use your information to apply for credit, file taxes, or get medical services. These acts can damage your credit status, and cost you time and money to restore your good name.

To Prevent Identity Theft

According to USA.gov, you should keep these tips in mind to protect yourself from identity theft:

  • Secure your Social Security number (SSN). Don’t carry your Social Security card in your wallet. Only give out your SSN when necessary.
  • Don’t share personal information (birthdate, Social Security number, or bank account number) because someone asks for it.
  • Collect mail every day. Place a hold on your mail when you are away from home for several days.
  • Pay attention to your billing cycles. If bills or financial statements are late, contact the sender.
  • Use the security features that can help protect the device and the information on it from threats and vulnerabilities on your mobile phone.
  • Update sharing and firewall settings that analyzes and blocks or allows information traveling between the internet and your computer based on a defined set of security rules.
  • Use a virtual private network (VPN) if you use a public wi-fi network A Virtual Private Network (VPN): a private network that connects your computer or mobile device to the internet and encrypts (codes) your information to protect your internet activity from monitoring or spying.
  • Review your credit card and bank account statements. Compare receipts with account statements. Watch for unauthorized transactions.
  • Shred receipts, credit offers, account statements, and expired credit cards. This can prevent “dumpster divers” from getting your personal information.
  • Store personal information in a safe and secure place.
  • Install firewalls and virus-detection software to prevent, detect, and remove malicious programs that have been placed on your computer to spy on you or to do damage to your computer.
  • Create complex passwords that identity thieves cannot guess. Change your passwords if a company that you do business with has a breach of its databases
  • Review your credit reports will show your bill payment history, current debt, and other financial information once a year. Be certain that they don’t include accounts that you have not opened. You can order it for free from Annualcreditreport.com.
  • Freeze your credit files with Equifax, Experian, Innovis, TransUnion, and the National Consumer Telecommunications and Utilities Exchange for free. Credit freezes prevent someone from applying for and getting approval for a credit account or utility services in your name.

You have limited liability for fraudulent debts caused by identity theft.

  • Under most state laws, you’re not responsible for any debt incurred on fraudulent new accounts opened in your name without your permission.
  • Under federal law, the amount you have to pay for unauthorized use of your credit card is limited to $50. If you report the loss to the credit card company before your credit card is used by a thief, you aren’t responsible for any unauthorized charges.
  • If your ATM or debit card is lost or stolen, you can limit your liability by reporting the loss immediately to your bank or credit union.
  • If someone makes unauthorized debits to your bank or credit union account using your debit card number (not your card), you aren’t responsible – if you report the problem within 60 days after they send your account statement showing the unauthorized debits.
  • Most state laws limit your liability for fraudulent checks issued on your bank or credit union account if you notify the bank or credit union promptly.

References:

  1. https://www.identitytheft.gov/#/
  2. https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/pdf-0119-guide-assisting-id-theft-victims.pdf
  3. https://www.usa.gov/identity-theft

Planning for Financial Freedom

Posted on by

Planning for financial freedom is the key to getting there. 

Your financial plan has to consider both the future and the present. For the present, you need enough cash available to cover your current expenses. Your long-term financial plan should prepare you for retirement, your kids’ college education or a big dream purchase. Putting money every month toward your current budget and your long-term goals is the goals.

For most investors, the biggest challenge has been staying the course and focusing on long-term goals in the face of market fluctuations. And, it’s important for investors to avoid getting discouraged since saving and investing are a long-term journey.

Working toward your goals:

  • Create a plan. Figure out how much you’ll need and set a target date to have that amount saved up, so you can create a savings plan with a specific monthly goal.
  • Automate your savings and investing. Include your monthly savings and investing goals in your budget to hold yourself accountable today for the future you want tomorrow.
  • Manage or eliminate your debt. Keeping your debt-to-income ratio low can help you get a better interest rate on both the home you have today and the home of your dreams. Furthermore, eliminating your debt gives you increased flexibility with your income to Dave and invest.

Another key to that financial freedom is building an emergency fund that can more than cover your expenses for 3–6 months if you needed it for life’s unexpected surprises like unforeseen major car repairs and medical bills that can derail your personal finances if you haven’t built up a buffer to cover them. 

Essentially, you should:

  • Build an emergency fund. Create and track your emergency fund in a separate account that you can access easily in case you need it.
  • Make a budget. Create a budget that includes a monthly savings goal, and track your savings contributions to build that emergency fund quickly.
  • Track your expenses. Watch your spending to make sure you’re staying within your budget, and check in on that budget regularly to find new places to save.
  • Track your debt. Create a comprehensive list of all your loans and credit card accounts so you can see everything together. Free yourself from debt by paying your minimums and attacking one debt at a time with extra monthly payments.
  • Include all your loan information. Keep track of the interest rate and monthly payment for each loan to help you create a solid debt-reduction plan.
  • Plan and schedule your extra payments. Pay extra on the loan with the highest interest rate until that one is paid off, then roll those payments into the next loan to pay that off even faster. 

A financial free retirement is one in which you can do the things you enjoy in life without worrying about money. For long-term goals like retirement, it is imperative to stay on track with your saving and investing no matter what comes your way.

Planning for a financially free retirement includes:

  • Track your net worth and cash flow. Tracking your net worth and cash flow can help you stay focused on your long-term objectives, reducing stress by giving you the information you need along with concrete goals to strive for. “Net worth is what’s yours, really yours. First, add up the value of everything you own, then subtract the total amount of any debts that you have. What’s left is your net worth”, explains Investment adviser Robert LeFevre Jr., a certified public accountant and certified financial planner
  • Consider your options. As you face decisions along the way, experiment with various scenarios to see how those decisions could affect your retirement.
  • Make managing and tracking your finances a habit. By reviewing regularly your long-term financial plan, you’ll have the information you need to keep on track with your financial goals—no guessing needed.

Financial freedom means that you get to make life decisions without being overly stressed about the financial impact because you are prepared. You control your finances instead of being controlled by them.

References:

  1. https://www.quicken.com/blog/claim-financial-freedom

Retirement Benefits

Posted on by

“Planning is the key to creating your best retirement.”

Social Security is part of the retirement plan for almost every American worker. It provides replacement income for qualified retirees and their families. On average, retirement beneficiaries receive 40% of their pre-retirement income from Social Security. Thus, it’s important to understand when planning for income during retirement, Social Security was designed to replace only a percentage of your pre-retirement income based on your lifetime earnings.

The amount of your average wages that Social Security retirement benefits replaces varies depending on your earnings and when you choose to start benefits. If you start receiving benefits at age 67 (full retirement age), this percentage ranges from as much as 75 percent for very low earners, to about 40 percent for medium earners, and about 27 percent for high earners. If you start benefits earlier than age 67, these percentages would be lower, and after age 67 they’d be higher.

Most financial advisers state that you will need about 70 percent of pre-retirement income to live comfortably in retirement, including your Social Security benefits, investments, and other personal savings and sources of income.

When you work and pay Social Security taxes, you earn “credits” toward Social Security benefits. The number of credits you need to get retirement benefits depends on when you were born. If you were born in 1929 or later, you need 40 credits (usually, this is 10 years of work).

If you stop working before you have enough credits to qualify for benefits, the credits will remain on your Social Security record. If you return to work later, you can add more credits to qualify. Social Security Administration (SSA) can’t pay any retirement benefits until you have the required number of credits.

When you work, you pay taxes into Social Security. SSA use the tax receipts to payout benefits to:

  • People who have already retired.
  • People who are disabled.
  • Survivors of workers who have died.
  • Dependents of beneficiaries.

The money you pay in taxes isn’t held in a personal account for you to use when you get benefits. SSA uses your taxes to pay people who are currently getting benefits.

Any unused money goes to the Social Security trust fund that pays monthly benefits to you and your family when you start receiving retirement benefits.

Retirement benefit

SSA will base your retirement benefit payment on how much you earned during your working career. Higher lifetime earnings result in higher benefits. If there were some years you didn’t work or had low earnings, your benefit amount may be lower than if you had worked steadily.

The age at which you decide to retire will also affect your benefit. If you retire at age 62, the earliest possible Social Security retirement age, your benefit will be lower than if you wait.

Full retirement age, or FRA, is the age when you are entitled to 100 percent of your Social Security benefits. If you were born between 1943 and 1954, your full retirement age was 66. If you were born in 1955, it is 66 and 2 months. For those born between 1956 and 1959, it gradually increases, and for those born in 1960 or later, it is 67.

Those dates apply to the retirement benefits you earned from working and to spousal benefits, which your husband or wife can collect on your work record. Keep in mind:

  • Claiming benefits before full retirement age will lower your monthly payments; the earlier you file — you can start at age 62 — the greater the reduction in benefits.
  • You can increase your retirement benefits by waiting past your FRA to retire. Each month you put off filing up to age 70 earns you delayed retirement credits that boost your eventual benefit.

Choosing when to start receiving retirement benefits is a personal decision. If you choose to retire and begin receiving benefits when you reach your full retirement age, you’ll receive your full benefit amount. SSA will reduce your benefit amount if you decide to start benefits before reaching full retirement age.

References:

  1. https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/learn.html
  2. https://www.aarp.org/retirement/social-security/questions-answers/social-security-full-retirement-age/
  3. https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10035.pdf

Choosing a Financial Advisor

Posted on by

Choosing a financial advisor is a major life decision that can potentially determine your financial net worth trajectory for years to come. 

A 2020 Northwestern Mutual study found that 71% of U.S. adults admit their financial planning needs improvement. However, only 29% of Americans work with a financial advisor.

The value of working with a financial advisor varies by person and advisors are legally prohibited from promising returns, but research suggests people who work with a financial advisor feel more at ease about their finances and could end up with about 15% more money to spend in retirement, according to SmartAsset.com.

A recent Vanguard study found that, on average, a $500K investment would grow to over $3.4 million under the care of an advisor over 25 years, whereas the expected value from self-management would be $1.69 million, or 50% less. In other words, an advisor guided portfolio would average 8% annualized growth over a 25-year period, compared to 5% from a self-managed portfolio.

But, it essential that you do your homework in selecting a financial advisor. There are several key questions to ask and factors to consider regarding anyone who may advise you in money matters:

  1. What’s your philosophy of investing?” If they can’t articulate their philosophy in a few simple paragraphs, in plain English, then keep looking.
  2. “What has been one of your greatest triumphs in the market? And what was the decision making that brought you to it? What did you learn from the process?” Then ask, “What about one of your biggest mistakes? What went wrong and what did you learn from it?”
  3. “What do you own yourself? Where do you put your own money?”
  4. Hire an advisor who is a Fiduciary. By definition, a fiduciary is an individual who is ethically bound to act in another person’s best interest. This obligation eliminates conflict of interest concerns and makes an advisor’s advice more trustworthy. 
  5. Pick an advisor with an compatible strategy. Each advisor has a unique strategy. Some advisors may suggest aggressive investments, while others are more conservative. If you prefer to go all-in on stocks, an advisor that prefers bonds and index funds is not a great match for your style.
  6. Ask about credentials. To give investment advice, financial advisors are required to pass a test. Ask your advisor about their licenses, tests, and credentials. Financial advisors tests include the Series 7, and Series 66 or Series 65. Some advisors go a step further and become a Certified Financial Planner, or CFP.  

Many people who want to oversee and manage your money probably don’t have significant assets of their own. You would want a money manager to have skin in the game, to be eating their own cooking.

References:

  1. https://news.northwesternmutual.com/planning-and-progress-2020
  2. https://www.cnbc.com/2020/06/19/fathers-day-letter-to-kid-money-life-lessons-people-learn-too-late-in-life.html
  3. https://personal.vanguard.com/pdf/how-america-invests-2020.pdf
  4. https://article.smartasset.com/financial-advisor-secrets-1/

Planning and Achieving Financial Freedom

Posted on by

Financial freedom can be an elusive—and hard-to-define—goal.

Financial freedom is often said to be in the eye of the beholder. To some it may mean freedom of debt and being able to fund your lifestyle with your cash flow; to others it may mean early retirement on a Caribbean island. Whatever your financial goals or definition of financial freedom, there are ways and things you can learn to help you get your financial house in order.

Once you’ve decided that financial freedom is one of your top goals, you can start taking steps to achieve it. Thus, the first step toward achieving financial freedom is to define exactly what it means for you. You can’t generally achieve something that you haven’t defined. So, once you’ve defined what financial freedom means to you, you can start taking steps toward your goals.

“What then is freedom? The power to live as one wishes.” Marcus Tullius Cicero

Just because you have money does not mean you have financial freedom. There have been numerous people, especially professional athletes and entertainers, who have earned millions of dollars and subsequently lost it all through reckless spending and debilitating debt. Thus, even if you have a lot of money, if you don’t know how to manage and make your money work for you, it will more than likely disappear.

Financial freedom typically means having enough savings, financial assets, and cash on hand to afford the kind of life you desire for yourself and your families. It means growing savings and investments to a level that enables you to retire or pursue the career you want without being driven to earn a wage or salary each year. Financial freedom means your money and assets are working hard for you rather than the other way around…you’re working hard for your money.

In other words, financial freedom is about much more than just having money. It’s the freedom to be who you really are and do what you really want in life. It’s about following your passion, making choices that aren’t influenced by your bank account, net worth or cash flow, and living life on your terms.

Track your expenses

It’s difficult to know how to save money if you don’t have a good idea of where your money is going. Carefully track your spending habits for a typical month. Doing this will help you to become more conscious of your discretionary expenditures. It will also reinforce what expenses are essential and remind you to plan for unexpected expenditures, like medical emergencies and car repairs. Therefore, it is vital to understand and to know where your money is going.

Make a budget

Once you’ve taken inventory of your expenses, next step is to create a budget. While budgeting can sound like a cumbersome task, you may want to start by using a budgeting calculator to get a feel for how you are currently spending your money and how you’d like to change your spending.

One popular budgeting method is the 50/30/20 rule. The 50/30/20 rule is a way to divide your post-tax income based on your needs, wants and savings. The rule states that people should spend 50% of their income on their needs. This includes health insurance, housing, transportation, and groceries. Then, the guideline states that people should spend 30% of their income on wants or non-necessities such as entertainment, travel, and more. Finally, the last 20% of a person’s income should be saved or invested. This might include retirement savings and building a stock portfolio.

Once you have created a budget, don’t put it in a drawer and forget about it. Instead, make it a working and living document that you check and refer to often. Spend a half-hour per month reviewing how your actual expenses match your budget and make adjustments as necessary.

Automate your savings

Automating your savings and investing is one of the easiest steps you can take to ensure that you are on the path to financial freedom. You can set automated contributions to your employer-sponsored investments, including your 401(k) contributions and employee stock options.

When your savings and investing are automated, your money will continue to grow without you having to think about it. This will help you to reach your financial goals easily and quickly.

Have some percentage (10% to 20%) of your paycheck automatically deposited into a separate account—whether it’s a savings account, a 401(k) or an IRA. Money that isn’t easily accessible is not easily spent.

Unfortunately, many Americans are not saving enough to maintain their current standard of living during their retirement years. It was found that about 21% of Americans have nothing saved for retirement, according to the Northwestern Mutual’s 2018 Planning & Progress Study.

Start investing early

Follow the adage, the best time to start investing was twenty years ago; the second best time is today. You should start investing in a tax deferred account, preferably with your employer matching a portion or all of your contribution.

Planning for retirement is a marathon and not a sprint. Even if you are starting small, the most important thing is to get started. Therefore, it will likely take decades to reach your goal. Therefore, it is important to remember why you want to achieve financial freedom. Keeping your purpose, goals and the bigger picture in mind will help you navigate the day-to-day financial decisions.

Once you become financially free, you have more choices of how to live your life and spend your days.

When you decide that you want to start working toward financial freedom, it is important to remember that you will not become financially free overnight. However, according to certified financial planner David Rae, in a 2018 article in Forbes magazine, there are eight hierarchies of financial freedom that you can work towards:

  1. Level 1: Not Living Paycheck to Paycheck – The first level of financial freedom is building up an emergency fund and paying off any credit card debt. Unfortunately, living paycheck to paycheck is the reality of millions of Americans. According to the Federal Reserve’s Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households in 2017, some 40% of households could not cover a $400 unexpected expense.
  2. Level 2: Enough Money to take a sabbatical from your work – Accumulating enough money to be able to take a break away from work can be rewarding. This does not mean you have to quit your job, but it sure is a good feeling to know you can.
  3. Level 3: Enough to be Financially Happy and still Save – it’s about enjoying your life and having the money to do it. There can be peace when you are earning enough to save, doing the things you enjoy and still having extra at the end of the month.
  4. Level 4: Freedom of Time – Many people desire more flexibility with their schedules. Freedom of time and financial independence go hand in hand. Together, they are about following your passion, or spending more time with family, and not going completely broke doing it.
  5. Level 5: Enough for a Basic Retirement – Think about what your bare minimum retirement would look like. By knowing your bare minimum retirement, and knowing that you have enough money saved to at least cover some standard of living in your retirement, will also influence other life choices you may make along the way.
  6. Level 6: Enough to Actually Retire Well – Knowing you are on track to accumulate a nest egg to support that lifestyle is a big win. Well done to those who have accumulated enough assets, or passive income streams, to be in a position to retire well.
  7. Level 7: Enough for Dream Retirement – It would feel great knowing that you are on track to have enough money to retire and be able to live your dream life. What is stopping you from getting there.
  8. Level 8: More Money Than You Could Ever Spend – Having more money than you expected to spend is great. Building enough wealth so that you could not possibly spend all of it is another.

Bottomline is that if you want to be financially free, if you want to be able to live the lifestyle of your choosing while responsibly managing your finances, you need to become a different person than you are today and let go of the financial mindset that has created your current financial predicament and has held you back in the past.

Attaining financial freedom, which means having enough savings, investments and cash flow to live as you desire, both now and in your later years, requires a continuous process of growth, learning and emotional strength. In other words, whatever has held you back and provided you comfort in the past or kept you less than who you really are will have to be replaced. You will have to become comfortable for awhile being uncomfortable. And in return, the financially empowered, purposeful, and successful you will emerge — like a butterfly shedding its cocoon.

References:

  1. https://www.richdad.com/what-is-financial-freedom
  2. https://smartasset.com/financial-advisor/financial-freedom
  3. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrae/2019/04/09/levels-of-financial-freedom