Tag Archives: Net Worth

The National Study of Millionaires

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“Anyone in America can build wealth. The only thing holding you back is you. Get out of debt. Save consistently. Keep your spending in check. Let time and compound interest do their magic. If you’re willing to work hard and keep the long-term goal in mind, you’ll reach the million-dollar milestone.” Chris Hogan

Summary

  • “The National Study of Millionaires” is the largest survey of millionaires ever with 10,000 participants.
  • Eight out of ten millionaires invested in their company’s 401(k) plan.
  • The top five careers for millionaires include engineer, accountant, teacher, management and attorney.
  • 79% of millionaires did not receive any inheritance at all from their parents or other family members.

The National Study of Millionaires by Ramsey Solutions concluded that millionaires successfully accumulated wealth through consistent investing, avoiding debt like the plague, and smart spending. No lottery tickets. No inheritances. No six-figure incomes.

Thus, according to the survey, there is positive news for Americans who may have lost hope that they can ever accumulate wealth. “The people in the study became millionaires by consistently saving over time. In fact, they worked, saved and invested for an average of 28 years before hitting the million-dollar mark, and most of them reached that milestone at age 49.”

The study’s results demonstrated a dramatic difference between how Americans think wealthy people get their money and how they actually earn and spend their money.

In a nutshell, regular, consistent investing over a long period of time is the reason most of the people in the survey successfully accumulated wealth. And, even when millionaires don’t have to worry about money anymore, they remain careful about their spending. Ninety-four percent of the people studied said they live on less than they make. By staying out of debt and watching expenses, they’re able to build their bank accounts instead of trying to get out of a financial hole every month.

Money and Happiness

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“The great Western disease is, ‘I’ll be happy when… When I get the money. When I get a BMW. When I get this job. When I get the relationship,’ Well, the reality is, you never get to when. The only way to find happiness is to understand that happiness is not out there. It’s in here. And happiness is not next week. It’s now.” Marshall Goldsmith

Research shows that after you make enough money to pay your essential expenses and save for the future, making more does little for your happiness. A 2010 study by economist and psychologist Daniel Kahneman found that, where wealth is concerned, a person’s satisfaction with their life no longer increases after about $75,000 ($90,000 in today’s dollars) a year.

If anything, once people start making a lot of money, they begin to think they’re doing worse in life, because they become obsessed with comparing themselves to those who appear richer and appear to be living a relatively larger and more luxurious social media embellished lifestyle. But, it important to remember that, “Money has never made man happy, nor will it, there is nothing in its nature to produce happiness”, Benjamin Franklin quipped. “The more of it one has the more one wants.

Instead, research suggests that spending money on experiences rather than tangible goods, giving to others with no thought of reward, and expressing gratitude for what you have, results in the greatest feelings of happiness.

Pitfalls of chasing money

Focusing on chasing the accoutrements of wealth is a trap, because it leads only to an increased focus on chasing wealth. Even multimillionaires make the mistake of believing that money, and not time, experiences and gratitude, will enrich their lives.

“These days, in our materialistic culture, many people are led to believe that money is the ultimate source of happiness. Consequently, when they don’t have enough of it they feel let down. Therefore, it is important to let people know that they have the source of contentment and happiness within themselves, and that it is related to nurturing our natural inner values.” Dalai Lama

A few thousand of the world’s wealthiest people were surveyed and asked how much money they’d needed to be “perfectly happy”, according to Harvard Business Review. Seventy-five percent (many of whom had a net worth of $10 million or more) said they’d needed “a lot more” ($5 million to $10 million, “at the very least”) to be happy.

It doesn’t take a PhD in psychology to see how misguided the mindset of “needing a lot more money” is not related to achieving happiness.

Money may not buy happiness, but there are some things you can do to try to increase happiness such as writing down what you’re grateful for. Literally “counting your blessings” can help you feel more positive. Instead of thinking about what you don’t have, think about the things you do have.

Nothing less than your health and happiness depends on reversing the innate notion that money alone leads to happiness. It’s important to start seeing time, daily habits, being grateful, and lifestyle are the main drivers that determines your happiness:

  1. Convince yourself that your time, expressing your gratitude, and your health are more important than money and your bank account balance.
  2. Remind yourself that your values and that your closely aligned goals when faced with critical life and financial decisions.
  3. Make deliberate and strategic decisions that allow you to have more time across days, weeks months, and years.

Among millionaires, past studies reveal that wealth may be likely to pay off in greater personal happiness only at very high levels of wealth ($10 million or more), and when that wealth was earned rather than inherited.

Takeaways

Research concludes that money can buy life satisfaction and that money is unlikely to buy happiness, but it may help you achieve happiness to an extent through experiences, expressing gratitude, and giving to others. Look for experiences and opportunities that will help you feel fulfilled and that are aligned with your values. And, remember to count your blessings.

And beyond that, you can find happiness through other nonfinancial means, like spending time with people you enjoy or thinking about the good things in your life. Since, “Happiness comes from spiritual wealth, not material wealth…”, according to Sir John Templeton. “Happiness comes from giving, not getting. If we try hard to bring happiness to others, we cannot stop it from coming to us also. To get joy, we must give it, and to keep joy, we must scatter it.”

References:

  1. https://www.pnas.org/content/107/38/16489.full
  2. https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2020/10/19/even-millionaires-make-this-money-mindset-mistake-says-harvard-psychologistheres-the-real-cost-of-it.html
  3. https://www.healthline.com/health/can-money-buy-happiness

Cash Flow in Retirement | Fidelity Investments

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Cash flow simply means the amount of cash you have coming in and going out each month.

Think about cash flow as mapping your income versus your expenses. If you anticipate risk factors that can often come with retirement (health care expense, a downturn in the market, or a family emergency) then consider increasing your position in cash (or cash equivalents like Treasury bills, CDs, and money market accounts).

How will you help maintain a steady flow of income in retirement?

You’ve spent years saving money in anticipation of retirement, and while accumulating retirement savings is indeed important, it’s only half the story. Once you stop working, your focus shifts away from saving money and toward using that money to live the retirement you want.

Generating your retirement income

Retirement is an exciting stage of life that many Americans eagerly anticipate, yet retirement as we’ve known it has changed. Different concepts of retirement are emerging — your personal vision of retirement likely differs from how your parents, neighbors, and friends expect to spend their retirement years. In addition, Americans today are living longer and are more responsible for funding their retirements than past generations.

As we navigate this continually evolving retirement landscape, it’s important that your retirement-planning process reflect your unique situation. And remember that retirement income (or cash flow) planning requires a different set of strategies, products, plans, and choices than saving for your retirement. Education and guidance can help you develop an income plan and a spending strategy that are right for you.

Understanding retirement income

While most people understand the importance of saving money for retirement, the concept of retirement income planning is less familiar. Some basic definitions are.

  • Retirement income is the money you use to cover your expenses when you stop working.
  • Potential retirement income sources include Social Security, pensions, annuities, retirement savings from a qualified employer sponsored plan (QRP) like 401(k), 403(b) and governmental 457(b) as well as IRAs.
  • Retirement income planning is the process of determining how much money you’ll need in retirement, and where your cash flow will come from each year. Retirement income planning involves four components:
    • Planning:  Write a plan that includes your expected retirement expenses to help provide a roadmap through retirement.
    • Retirement investing strategies: Determine your various retirement income sources and consider the best way to invest your assets to help meet your retirement income goals.
    • Managing your retirement money: Decide how to manage your money to help maintain a steady flow of income that will cover your expenses throughout your retirement years.
    • Ongoing monitoring: Revisit and adjust your retirement income plan whenever your circumstances change, but at least once a year.

Benefits of planning your retirement income

Developing a written income plan can help you retire with confidence by considering questions such as: What do I want to do in retirement? Where do I want to live? Do I have enough to retire when I’d like? How do I create a steady income stream to take the place of my paycheck? How can I plan for the unexpected, such as extreme market fluctuations, health care needs, and other financial needs? And, will my money last throughout my retirement years?

For illustrative purposes only.

Starting the retirement income planning process five to 10 years before you retire allows you time to develop a thoughtful, personalized plan that will help make the most of your hard-earned savings.

cash flow to help meet both your near-term liquidity needs and longer-term needs for both income and growth

One approach to consider is to bucket cash for different shorter- and longer-term needs, such as living expenses, short-term goals, and emergencies. Here are some ways to implement each:

Read Viewpoints on Fidelity.com: Budgeting for retirees

References:

  1. https://www.fidelity.com/viewpoints/retirement/managing-cash-flow

Saving and Investing

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“The easiest way to wealth are saving and investing in your mind and in appreciating assets.”

Save and invest today for the life and financial freedom you want later. Investing for the long-term is the only way to truly build wealth and achieve financial freedom.

Retirement doesn’t mean what it used to for a lot of Americans. It used to be something you could count on — and when it came, you were going to pursue the goals and lifestyle you dreamed about and love.

Today, many Americans don’t believe that they will retire, while others are not waiting until retirement and are doing what they love now.

Regardless of your unique circumstances or life’s priorities, it important to save and invest now so later the resulting financial freedom will allow you – in a tax advantaged way – to enjoy a better and happier life later.

A smart investor:

  • Plans for life’s unexpected challenges and investing in uncertain times
  • Conducts research on a product before investing
  • Assesses the impact of fees when choosing an investment
  • Understands that risk exists in all investments
  • Avoids “get rich quick” and “can’t lose” schemes
  • Recognizes the power of compound interest
  • Recognizes the importance of diversification
  • Plans for and invests according to his/her future needs and goals
  • Recognizes the benefit of long-term, regular and diversified investment
  • Verifies that an investment professional is licensed

Establish Emergency Savings

Unexpected emergencies often sabotage our financial goals, so getting in a savings mindset and building an emergency fund is crucial. Start small and think big by setting a goal of a $500 rainy day fund. Once you’ve reached that goal, it will be easy to continue!

Open Your Savings Account

If you don’t have a savings account, now’s the time! Ensure your savings account is federally insured with a reputable financial institution with no fees (or low fees).

Set up Automatic Savings

The easiest way to save is to save automatically!

Choose the amount you would like to automatically save each period. Even $10-50 of your paycheck, weekly or bi-weekly, can provide substantial savings over time.

Contact your employer to set up a direct deposit into your savings account each pay period or set up an automatic transfer from your checking account to your savings account at your financial institution.

Even small amounts, saved automatically each pay period, make a big difference.

Get Serious About Reducing Your Debt

Paying down debt is saving!

When you pay down debt, you save on interest, fees, late payments, etc. Not only that, by having savings you’re less likely to need credit for emergencies – allowing you to keep a lower credit usage percentage.

When you reduce your debt, you save on interest and fees while maintaining or improving your credit score! Create a debt reduction plan that works best for you. Utilize America Saves resources to see the different options to pay down debt.

Get Clear On Your Finances

Create a Spending and Savings Plan that allows you to easily see your income, expenses, and anything leftover. Once you have a clear view of your finances, you can determine where to make changes and what else you should be saving for based on your financial goals.

It’s always the right time to create a saving and spending plan (aka a budget). It’s also a good idea to revisit that plan annually or when a major shift occurs in your income or expenses.

Here are several tips to help ensure that your money is working smarter and harder for you.

Step 1. Determine your income.

To create an effective budget, you need to know exactly how much money you’re bringing in each month. Calculate your monthly income by adding your paychecks and any other source of income that you receive regularly. Be sure to use your net pay rather than your gross pay. Your net pay is the amount you receive after taxes and other allocations, like retirement savings, are deducted.

Step 2. Determine your net worth which is your assets minus your liabilities

Net worth is assets minus liabilities. Or, you can think of net worth as everything you own less all that you owe.

Calculating your net worth requires you to take an inventory of what you own, as well as your outstanding debt. And when we say own, we include assets that you may still be paying for, such as a car or a house.

For example, if you have a mortgage on a house with a market value of $200,000 and the balance on your loan is $150,000, you can add $50,000 to your net worth.

Basically, the formula is:

  • ASSETS – LIABILITIES = NET WORTH

And by the way, your income is not included in a net worth calculation. A person can bring home a big paycheck but have a low net worth if they spend most of their money. On the other hand, even people with modest incomes can accumulate significant wealth and a high net worth if they buy appreciating assets and are prudent savers.

Step 3. Track your cash flow which is both your expenses and your spending.

This step is essential. It’s not enough to write out your actual expenses, like rent or mortgage, food, and auto insurance, you must also track what you are spending.

If you’ve ever felt like your money “just disappears,” you’re not the only one. Tracking your spending is a great way to find out exactly where your money goes. Spending $10 a day on parking or $5 every morning for coffee doesn’t sound like much until you calculate the total cost per month.

Tracking your spending will help you pinpoint the areas you may be overspending and help you quickly identify where you can make cost-efficient cuts.  Once you’ve written out your expenses and tracked your spending habits, you’re ready for the next step.

Step 4. Set your financial goals.

Now you get to look at your present financial situation and habits and decide what you want your future to look like. Ask yourself what’s most important to you right now? What financial goals do you want to achieve?

Some common goals include building an emergency fund, paying down debt, purchasing a home or car, saving for education, and retirement.

Step 5. Decrease your spending or increase your income.

What if you set your financial goals and realize there’s not enough money left at the end of the month to save for the things you want?

You essentially have two choices. You can either change the way you manage your current income or add a new source of income. In today’s gig economy, it’s easier than ever to add a stream of income, but we know that everyone’s situation is different, and that’s not always an option.

Even if you can add income, you may have identified some spending habits you’d like to change by decreasing how much you spend.

Take a look back at your expense tracking. For the nonessential items, consider reducing your spending. For example, if you find that you are spending quite a bit on entertainment, like movies or dining out, reduce the number of times you go per month.

Then apply the money that’s been freed up to your savings goals.

For more ideas on how to increase your savings, read 54 Ways to Save.

Step 6. Stick to your plan.

Make sure you stick to your spending and savings plan. To make saving more efficient, set up automatic savings so that you can set it and forget it! Saving automatically is the easiest way to save.

Reassess and adjust your plan whenever you have life changes such as marriage, a new baby, a move, or a promotion.

Following your plan ensures that you’re financially stable, are ‘thinking like a saver,’ and better prepared for those unexpected emergencies.

References:

  1. http://www.worldinvestorweek.org/key-messages.html
  2. https://americasaves.org/media/yordmpza/7steps.pdf
  3. https://old.americasaves.org/blog/1754-creating-a-budget-for-your-family

5 Simple Rules for Investing Success

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“Definiteness of purpose or single-mindedness combined with PMA (positive mental attitude) is the starting point of all worthwhile achievement. It means that you should have one high, desirable, outstanding goal and keep it ever before you.” W. Clement Stone

Investing is a mental game.  And to be successful at the mental game, you must adjust your mindset and retrain your thinking that as a long-term investor, you need to be able to buy stocks and open new positions when the market is crashing or correcting.  You’re genetically programmed to be a lousy investor.  You must set up systems and rules to fight our normal urges and invest at what appears to be the absolute worst time and when everyone else is fearful and selling.

It is important to accept the fact that you will absolutely enter a position at the wrong time and make a bad buy in the short term.  It happens to every investor at sometime in their life.

Investing doesn’t have to be intimidating or challenging. To get started investing in stocks and bonds, you should follow with deliberate purpose and action five simple rules for building a long-term portfolio, according to TD Ameritrade:

  1. Contribute early and often – The single most important thing you can do in investing is to invest early and save often. Thanks to the magic of compounding, money invested early has more time to grow. Delaying investing can have a significant effect on your portfolio. In fact, for every 10 years you wait before starting to investing, you’ll need to save roughly three times as much every month in order to catch up.
  2. Minimize fees and taxes – Charges and taxes will have an impact on your overall returns, so it’s important to take these into consideration when choosing your investments.
  3. Diversify your portfolio – We all know the saying ‘don’t put all your eggs in one basket’, but it’s particularly important to apply this rule when investing. Spreading your money across a range of different types of assets and geographical areas means you won’t be depending too heavily on one kind of investment or region. That means if one of them performs badly, some of your other investments might make up for these losses, although there are no guarantees.
  4. Consider how much time you have – Investing should never be considered a ‘get rich quick’ scheme. You need to remain invested for at least ten years, but preferably much longer to give your investments the best chance of providing the returns you’re hoping for. Even then you must be comfortable accepting the risk that you could get less than you put in. If your investment goals are short-term, for example, two or three years away, investing won’t be right for you, as you’ll need to keep your money readily accessible, usually in a savings account.
  5. Have a financial plan and focus on long-term goals – A financial plan creates a roadmap for your money and helps you achieve your goals. It is a comprehensive picture of your current finances, your financial goals and any strategies you’ve set to achieve those goals. Good financial planning should include details about your cash flow, savings, debt, investments, insurance and any other elements of your financial life. Knowing what your financial goals are and what sort of timeframe you are investing over may help you stick to your plan and strategy. For example, if you have long-terms goals, perhaps saving for retirement which may be several decades away, you may be less tempted to dip into your investments before you stop work.

https://youtu.be/NxEcO7ITtMo

And, never forget the top two and oldest rules for investors, according to Warren Buffet:

  • Rule #1 of investing is “Don’t Lose Money.”
  • Rule #2 is “Don’t forget rule #1.”

What Buffett is referring to is a state of mind and philosophy for investing. Simply, it means that there’s no such thing as “play money.” You don’t go out and speculate on a stock. You remain patient and disciplined, whether your tax deferred or brokerage accounts are up or down for the month or year.

Investing is not gambling and the stock market is not a casino. There’s no such thing as the house’s money in investing. It’s all your money, and it has to be protected.

So, don’t become anchored to the price of stocks, instead focus on buying good businesses at fair prices.  Only thing that truly matters in investing is the long-term future prospects (innovation, moat, management acumen) and growth opportunities of businesses. Don’t let the loss in the price of a stock get in your head and don’t let a short-term paper loss sway your emotions, behaviors or actions.

Better to be a regular investor rather than be perfect or optimize to price of the stock.  And remember, celebrate good stock buys, and recognize and learn from bad buys.

References:

  1. https://www.barclays.co.uk/smart-investor/news-and-research/investing-for-beginners/10-golden-rules-for-investors
  2. https://www.fool.com/retirement/2007/08/06/invest-early-and-often.aspx
  3. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/financial-theory/11/6-lessons-top-6-investors.asp
  4. https://www.investopedia.com/articles/fundamental-analysis/09/market-investor-axioms.asp
  5. https://cabotwealth.com/daily/how-to-invest/10-basic-rules-of-investing-according-to-the-legends

What Every Woman Needs To Know About Her Money

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“The lion’s share of wealth, two-thirds of wealth in the United States, is going to end up in the hands of women by the year 2030.” Jean Chatzky

The women that Jean Chatzky, New York Times Bestselling Author and financial editor at the NBC TODAY Show, has talked with “share a lack of confidence” regarding managing and investing their money. “Whether we’ve got one hundred, one hundred thousand, or one million dollars, we don’t always feel equipped to manage it, even when we’re doing exactly the right things,” she explained.

In order to create a better world, Chatzky suggests women should, “…use this power that’s coming our way to improve not just our lives, but the lives of the people that we love and care about, and the causes that  we believe in. We really do have an opportunity through giving and investing to create the world we want.”

Women…”have an opportunity through giving and investing to create the world we want.” Jean Chatzky

Chatzky offers 15 tips to help you get a handle on your finances and to create the financial future you want for yourself.  A future that aligns with your goals, values and purpose in life.

1. Talk openly about money

Chatzky explains, “We gather groups of women who don’t make a habit of talking about money with the specific purpose of talking about money…and it’s really freeing.” One open ended question she asks is, “What do you want your money to do for you?”.

2. Track your spending to see what you really value

Do you want a clear picture of your spending? More so, do you want to uncover whether or not what you say are priorities are aligned with your expenditures?

3. Determine what your ideal life actually costs

“What do you want from your life?” This is a question Chatzky believe you need to consider so that you can determine what your ideal life actually costs. Write down what you want and next to each item, list the price to do or have it.

4. Use money as a resource to buy you more time

Money is a tool which creates freedom of time and choice. Chatzy shares, “The most important thing to realize is the opportunity that you’re wasting. Money we can get more of. Time, you absolutely can’t get more of…But by moving around some of our money, we can restructure our time in a way that feels much better, much more fulfilling, and much less stressful. We are so stressed, and using our money to swap for a little bit of extra time is one great way to reduce some of that stress.”

5. Identify your money scripts

“We all have stories around money which became ingrained as children. In some cases we mimic them, in others we rebel against them. In order to know where you’re going with your financial future, it’s helpful to identify the scripts that are overtly or subliminally impacting your views and habits around money,” advises Chatzky.

6. Find financial harmony in your primary relationship

Chatzy suggests, “Listening is the key to success within a relationship. You have to understand why your partner needs what they need as much as they need to understand what you need.”

7. Don’t let money injure your friendships

“Listen and read between the lines. We know an awful lot about our friends’ financial situations, even if they tell us not one thing. We see how they spend. We see how they manage. We know if they’re stressed financially. We just have to be a little bit empathetic and open-minded about the fact that they may not have the same choices or priorities that we have. And that doesn’t mean that we can’t be great friends,” shares Chatzky.

8. Teach your kids early

It can feel scary to talk to your kids about money, especially if you feel tentative about your own financial skills. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be challenging: “Kids have to have money in order to learn to manage money.”

9. Get paid what you deserve

To charge or get paid what you deserve, “First, you must know what you deserve and once you know what that number is, you have to ask for it:

10. Negotiating won’t hurt your outcomes

The person on the other side of the table, they are waiting for you to negotiate, according to Chatzky. They’re not going to punish you for negotiating. You may not get the money. But asking is not going to hurt you.

11. To be or not to be (an entrepreneur)

30% of US businesses are women-owned, and that number is rising steadily.

12. Spend on others

Studies show that when you do for others, you’re guaranteed to feel happier. This includes when you spend on others. “There’s no sense in feeling guilty for spending money that’s not sabotaging our financial life”, says Chatzky.

13. Talk with aging parents

“If you haven’t had a conversation with your parents before you’ve hit age forty or they hit age seventy, it’s time”, she comments

14. Have a little fun with your money

Chatzky comes from a judgment-free zone when it comes to how you spend your money. But, “know how much it costs” since you earned that money and yours to do with as you want.

15. Consider your legacy

“You have to think about what’s important to you. That’s where a lot of us fall down when it comes to charitable giving”, Chatzky says.

Building wealth

If you want to build wealth, you need only do four things, according to Chatzky:

  1. Make a decent living.
  2. Spend less than you make.
  3. Invest the money you donʼt spend.
  4. Protect the financial world you build so that a disaster doesnʼt take it all away from you.

Building wealth sounds easy, so why is it so hard, particularly for women?  “Because women according to Chatzky, “make excuses”. We tell ourselves that we’re “just not good with money,” or that our husbands “like taking care of the finances.”

In short, “what successful women want from their money are: independence, security, choices, a better world, and–oh yes–way less stress, not just for themselves but for their kids, partners, parents, and friends.”

To read more: https://www.vunela.com/jean-chatzky-on-the-top-15-things-every-woman-needs-to-know-about-her-money/

References:

  1. https://www.vunela.com/jean-chatzky-on-the-top-15-things-every-woman-needs-to-know-about-her-money/
  2. https://www.jeanchatzky.com/books/

Creating a Comprehensive Financial Life Plan

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A Financial Life Plan can help you get on the path to financial freedom.

A comprehensive life financial plan provides a picture of your current finances, financial goals and any strategies you’ve set to achieve those goals. The plan should include details of your cash flow, savings, debt, investments, and other elements of your financial life.

Creating a life financial plan can help bring things into focus—it’s like a roadmap to help you figure out how to reach your financial goals. a clear picture of what you want to accomplish, but the details of how to make it happen.

Financial planning involves identifying financial goals you want to achieve and making sure you have the “what-ifs” covered. This can help guide you through key decisions in life and make you less vulnerable to setbacks and financial hardships down the line. You can feel more confident about financial decision-making when you have a comprehensive plan to guide you. Your financial plan might cover a number of areas, from managing debt and saving for the future to building wealth and protecting your money.

Financial Life Planning connects our financial realities with our values and the lives we dream to live. It helps both pre-retirees and retirees identify their core values and connect them with their financial decisions and life’s financial, health and emotional goals.

It is a financial planning and investing approach which helps people align their investment portfolio with their values and with the things which are important to them. Think of it like a holistic roadmap for your financial well-being.

Financial life plan focuses on the emotional side of financial planning. It considers people’s anxiety, habits, behaviors and other emotions (e.g., fear and greed) tied to investing money and accumulating wealth. People struggling with retirement and other finances really need a plan that helps them manage their attitudes, habits, behaviors, goals and resources.

“The right plan, executed faithfully, can be the difference between success and failure in any endeavor.” Brett N. Steenbarger, Ph.D., author of The Psychology of Trading

Whether you need to reduce spending and eliminate debt, increase your savings, or just refine the details, once you understand your financial mindset and associated behaviors; once you know where you are and where you need to go financially—a financial life plan can provide a more coherent sense of direction.

Market downturns and investment risk management

During periods of high market volatility and declines, financial life planning, when done correctly, assumes there will be these periods of volatility, panic selling and downturns like the equity markets are experiencing today as a result of COVID-19 pandemic. Any actions taken to significantly reduce or eliminate equity allocation could result in investors coming up short in retirement.

The risk of outliving their assets might be the biggest risk that retirees face today. With many of Americans living longer and the rising costs of healthcare in retirement, most retirees need a level of exposure to stocks in their portfolio for growth and to maintain their standard of living.

Steps to creating a Comprehensive Financial Life Plan

  1. Develop a Positive Financial Mindset
    The most important step in developing and following a financial life plan is to examine your mindset about money.
    – Are you ready to accept responsibility for changing your financial situation?
    – Do you believe that you can and will change the way you make financial decisions?
    – Can you identify at least one benefit you hope to gain by changing your financial behavior?
    Financial mindset consists of a predetermined set of beliefs, thoughts, habits and behaviors an individual has about saving by paying yourself first, investing for the long-term and accumulating wealth for financial well-being.
    Every person has a set of financial beliefs, thoughts, habits and behaviors about money and personal finance. Even if they can’t express what their thoughts and mindset are, they still exist both consciously and subconsciously. Just by observing your own financial reality and outcomes, you can begin to better understand your financial mindset, behaviors and habits.
    Thus, it becomes important to develop and nurture a positive financial mindset. Since, it is difficult to develop the good financial habits and behaviors that will be necessary to lead to an improved financial outcome and overall financial well-being without a positive financial mindset.
  2. Write down your goals
    One of the first things you should ask yourself is what you want your money to accomplish. Financial goals will differ in the length of time needed to achieve them. Be sure every goal has a specific purpose, a dollar amount that it will cost, and a realistic target date. Make sure your goals are realistic and not set too high, or frustration may keep you from reaching them.
    – What are your short-term needs? Short-term goals are priorities that can be accomplished within two years.
    – Mid-term goals are priorities that can be accomplished within two to five years.
    – What are you saving for long term? What do you want to accomplish in the next 5 to 10 years? Long-term financial goals are priorities that may take more than five years to accomplish. Most long-term goals require investing.
    It’s easy to talk about goals in general, but get really specific and write them down. Which goals are most important to you? Identifying, prioritizing and aligning your goals with your values, your goals will act as a motivator as you dig into your financial details.
  3. Create a net worth statement
    Achieving your goals requires understanding where you stand today. So start with what you have.
    – First, make a list of all your assets—things like bank and investment accounts, real estate and valuable personal property.
    – Now make a list of all your debts: mortgage, credit cards, student loans—everything.
    – Next, subtract your liabilities from your assets and you have your net worth.
    If you’re in the plus, great. If you’re in the minus, that’s not at all uncommon for those just starting out, but it does point out that you have some work to do. But whatever it is, you can use this number as a benchmark against which you can measure your progress.
  4. Know your cash flow
    Cash flow simply means money in (your income) and money out (your expenses). It will show you if you’re spending more or less than you earn.
    – How much money do you earn each month? Be sure to include all sources of income.
    – Now look at what you spend each month, including any expenses that may only come up once or twice a year. Do you consistently overspend? How much are you saving? Do you often have extra cash you could direct toward your goals?
  5. Your budget and manage your expenses
    “A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” John C. Maxwell
    For most people, financial success depend solely on how much they spend. This, it is important to find out where your money is going. Your budget will let you know how you’re spending.
    – Write down your essential expenses such as mortgage, insurance, food, transportation, utilities and loan payments. Don’t forget irregular and periodic big-ticket items such as vehicle repair or replacement costs, out of pocket health care costs and real estate taxes.
    – Then write down nonessentials—restaurants, entertainment, even clothes.
    Does your income easily cover all of this? Are savings a part of your monthly budget? Examining your expenses helps you plan and budget when you’re building an emergency fund. It will also help you determine if what you’re spending money on lines up with what is most important to you.
  6. Start (or build up) your emergency fund.
    Building a strong financial foundation starts with saving for emergencies. When you have a safety net for unexpected expenses, you don’t have to worry about throwing your budget out of whack. You can be confident that you’re ready for a car breakdown, home repairs, medical expenses or other emergencies that pop up. It’s OK to start small—saving $50 in an account you’ve designated for emergencies is a good starting point. You might work up to saving $1,000 and then eventually aim to save enough to cover three to six months’ worth of living expenses in an emergency fund. An emergency fund is essential because you need to absorb life’s surprises without making things worse. Without a stash of cash, you may have to take on debt for unexpected car troubles or surprise medical expenses. And, the fund can be kept in a savings account kept separate from your regular checking account. It’s not an account that should be dipped into often — unless there’s an emergency.
    If you already have an emergency fund, consider giving it a boost. An emergency fund should consist of three to six months’ worth of expenses, which is a different different amount for everyone. If you don’t think you’d survive financially if you missed a paycheck, then your an ideal candidate for needing an emergency fund.
  7. Focus on debt management
    Debt can derail you, but not all debt is bad. Yet, freedom from debt is an achievable goal for everyone.
    Some debt, like a mortgage, can work in your favor provided that you’re not overextended. It’s high-interest consumer debt like credit cards that you want to avoid. Try to follow the 28/36 guideline suggesting no more than 28 percent of pre-tax income goes toward home debt, no more than 36 percent toward all debt. Look at each specific debt to decide when and how you’ll systematically pay it down. Do you know how much debt you currently have (credit cards, student loans, auto loans, mortgage, etc.) and how long it will take to pay off each debt at your current rate of payment? It’s important to make a long-term plan for debt repayment so you can focus your efforts on the most efficient ways to reduce your debt. This might include tackling high-interest rate debts first or loan consolidation. Create a running list of all your loan balances and interest rates so you can see where you stand today and identify ways to make a dent in your debt. For example, you might make extra payments on your loan with the highest interest rate. A financial advisor can help you review your debt and create a debt elimination plan. Use our Debt Roll-Down Calculator to find the best way to pay off your credit cards.
    If you’ve been struggling with old debt, such as credit cards, student loans or medical bills, now is the time to pay them off for good. If you’re not sure which debt to pay off first, consider the one with the highest interest. High-interest debt, like credit cards, can compound through hefty interest charges, late fees and other penalties. pay down the principal of your student loan. The sooner you pay it all off, the less burden you carry.
  8. Get your (retirement) savings and investing on track by paying yourself first
    Whatever your age, retirement saving needs to be part of your financial plan. The earlier you start, the less you’ll likely have to save each year. You might be surprised by just how much you’ll need—especially when you factor in healthcare costs. But if you begin saving early, you may be surprised to find that even a little bit over time can make a big difference.
    Spending time today to plan your path to retirement can provide you peace of mind in the future. Getting started is the most important step you can take—it’s never too early or too late to save for retirement! The key is to continue saving consistently and make retirement savings a priority in your budget. Individual retirement accounts (IRAs) and employer-sponsored retirement plans, such as 401(k)s, offer tax benefits that can help your savings grow faster. As you near retirement, you’ll want to set a strategy for tapping retirement assets.
    Your financial plan should outline your retirement savings goals and ways to boost your savings (e.g., increasing your contributions every year or when you get a bonus or raise). Run the numbers using our Retirement Planner Calculator or review your retirement plans with a financial advisor.
    Calculate how much you will need and contribute to a 401(k) or other employer-sponsored plan (at least enough to capture an employer match) or an IRA. Save what you can and gradually try and increase your savings rate as your earnings increase. Whatever you do, don’t put it off.
    And, make the savings a priority by paying yourself first. This means that instead of saving what remains after paying your monthly expenses, individuals should pay themselves first by setting aside at least 10% to 15% of their monthly income as their first expense, and then pay the rest of their monthly expenses. Paying yourself means that your savings and other financial goals are taken care of before you allow yourself to spend money on less important items.
  9. College Savings.
    Parents and guardians face the challenge of balancing multiple financial demands, including your own retirement and future health care costs as well as education expenses for your dependents. Having a financial plan helps ensure you’re taking the right steps to address all areas of your financial life. Choosing the right college savings vehicle and planning ahead to take advantage of financial aid, loans and scholarships can help make college more affordable.
    Determine how much you want to save for college and the best way to grow your savings. Our College Savings Calculator can help you estimate how much you’ll need to save.
  10. Stay invested in the market for the long-term and check-in with your portfolio regularly.
    If you’re confident in your financial life plan and investment strategy, leaving your investments alone during short-term market corrections and Bear markets could help you accumulate wealth over the long-term and help ensure your retirement nest egg.
    When was the last time you took a close look at your portfolio? There are no guarantees when it comes to investing, but it seems that fear and uncertainty tends to put investors on the sidelines when markets plunge and become highly volatile.
    Markets go up and go down down in the short-term which can have a real effect on the relative percentage of stocks and bonds you own—even when you do nothing. And even an up market can throw your portfolio out of alignment with your feelings about risk. Don’t be complacent. Review and rebalance on at least an annual basis.
  11. Make sure you’re adequately insured
    Having adequate insurance is an important part of protecting your finances and family. Insurance is essential to protect your family and your financial future. Having health insurance, auto insurance and homeowners or renters insurance protects you when you need it. You may consider options for life and disability insurance, which can help protect your family’s finances if something happens to you. Review your insurance coverage and beneficiaries, especially if you’ve had any major changes in your family and life. A total risk assessment with an insurance professional can make sure you have the right level of coverage.
    We all need health insurance, and most of us also need car and homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. While you’re working, disability insurance helps protect your future earnings and ability to save. You might also want a supplemental umbrella policy based on your occupation and net worth. Finally, you should consider life insurance, especially if you have dependents. Review your policies to make sure you have the right type and amount of coverage. You never know what the future may hold—but it helps to be prepared for anything. What if you or a loved one experienced major medical issues or needed assisted living or nursing home care? Making decisions about long-term care can be stressful and emotionally difficult, and the costs can drain your family’s finances.
    You may want to explore options for long-term care insurance to help pay for long-term care needs such as nursing home care. You may also decide to write an advance care directive regarding your wishes for medical care and name a power of attorney to make financial decisions on your behalf if you’re unable to do so.
  12. Know your income tax rate
    Taxes are one of the most insidious destroyers of wealth, along with debt. You should make sure you’re prepared for the annual tax season and review your withholding, estimated taxes and any tax credits you may have qualified for in the past. The IRS has provided tips and information; take advantage of tax deferred accounts like IRAs and 401(k)s can help you save money on taxes and accumulate wealth more efficiently.
  13. Create or update your will and estate plan
    At the minimum, have a will—especially to name a guardian for minor children. Also check that beneficiaries on your retirement accounts and insurance policies are up-to-date. Complete an advance healthcare directive and assign powers of attorney for both finances and healthcare. Medical directive forms are sometimes available online or from your doctor or hospital. Working with an estate planning attorney is recommended to help you plan for complex situations and if you need more help.
  14. Invest in yourself and continue to learn
    “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” Benjamin Franklin
    While college is a great self-investment, there are other ways you can invest in yourself. Consider taking courses in a field or industry you’re interested in pursuing.
    If you’ve been contemplating a career change, use your money to invest in that switch. If you need capital to start your own business, this could be your chance. Also consider using it to give yourself a much-needed break. Whether this is a vacation fund or simply money for a massage or spa day to recharge, reset and refocus. Focused on what would improve your well-being in the long-term, not a quick fix. Continuous learning and growth are the key.
  15. Three Pillars (financial wealth, physical health and emotional well-being)
    Financial assets like stocks, bonds and real estate are forms of personal wealth. However, Americans need to also focus their attention on staying emotionally and physically healthy. Self-care is paramount in all three facets of life which include financial wealth, physical health and emotional well-being. Eating a balanced diet, exercising, getting enough sleep and connecting regularly with family and friends, are essential to live a purposeful and fulfilling life.
  • Take control of your future with a financial plan for the next five, ten or more years.
  • Insurance Protection. Ensure you have adequate Medical insurance and consider purchasing Long-Term Care insurance.

References:

  1. https://www.brownleeglobal.com/financial-life-planning/?preview=true&frame-nonce=60592dd178
  2. https://www.schwab.com/resource-center/insights/content/10-steps-to-diy-financial-plan?SM=uro#sf228155652
  3. https://www.cnet.com/personal-finance/how-to-invest-your-tax-refund/
  4. https://www.moneymanagement.org/credit-counseling/resources/financial-literacy-month

Net Worth Statement

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The process of calculating personal net worth may well be the only exercise in financial planning that savers and investors actually enjoy. It, with a personal cash flow statement, provides savers and investors with a financial scorecard of where you stand along the path of financial security.

“A personal income and expense statement [cash flow] goes hand-in-hand with a net worth statement because it allows you to see sources of income and expenses while working and retired,” David Bizé, a financial professional in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, said. “It helps you determine how much can reasonably be saved for financial goals as well as project whether your financial goals will be satisfied long term.”

Calculate your net worth

A net worth statement is a list of what you own (assets) and what you owe (liabilities).

Your assets would include any possessions of value, including:

  • Bank and brokerage accounts
  • Real estate
  • Retirement accounts (IRAs and 401(k))
  • Pension plans
  • Stock options
  • Cash value life insurance
  • Other property, such as artwork

To estimate the value of the personal property in your home, a good rule of thumb is to use 25 percent to 30 percent of its fair market value.

Into the liability column falls any debt you may have, such as:

  • Mortgage
  • Car loans
  • Student loans
  • Credit card balances
  • Child support
  • Alimony
  • Back taxes
  • Medical debt

To calculate your net worth, simply subtract what you owe from what you own. If you own more than you owe, your net worth will be positive. If you owe more than you own, it’s negative.

Appearances can be deceiving, the numbers never lie. Your neighbor with the big house and the luxury cars, for example, may exude a high net worth lifestyle, but if they’re up to their nose in debt, or not saving for their retirement, they may have a smaller net worth than the family next door who lives more modestly.

As a rule of thumb, your net worth should be roughly equal to six times your annual salary by age 60, or that your net worth by age 72 (the new age at which required minimum distributions from your IRA must begin) should be 20 times your annual spending. Other financial pundits suggest that you should aim to be net worth positive by age 30, and have twice your yearly salary socked away for retirement by age 40.

According to the U.S. Federal Reserve, the average net worth of all families in the U.S. rose 26 percent to $692,100 between 2013 and 2016, the most recent year for which data are available.  But the average net worth by age group breaks down as such:

  • Younger than age 35: $76,200
  • Ages 35-44: $288,700
  • Ages 45-54: $727,500
  • Ages 55-64: $1,167,400
  • Ages 65-74: $1,066,000
  • Ages 75 and older: $1,067,000

The ideal net worth differs for everyone and depends on your lifestyle, geographic location, income potential, and investment returns. The age at which you plan to retire also plays a role. The longer you work beyond your full retirement age, the less you need saved.

At the end of the day, all that matters is that your net worth is appropriate for your future financial plans, your financial goals and your lifestyle.

References:

  1. https://blog.massmutual.com/post/net-worth-calculate?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social_pd&utm_campaign=brand_traf_contentsyndication&utm_content=static_election_6200129223294_learn&utm_term=demo_fin_int_all&fbclid=IwAR1x-0otWLiM1UTNrFC5pLTEcXYkRr-wls4qucKmW6VfVjCjSry1dZr4Frg
  2. U.S. Federal Reserve, “Changes in U.S. Family Finances from 2013 to 2016: Evidence from the Survey of Consumer Finances. Table 2: Family median and mean net worth, by selected characteristics of families, 2013 and 2016 surveys,” September 2017.

5 ways to win your financial marathon | Regions Private Wealth Management

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Sponsored content from Regions Private Wealth Management
Jan 31, 2017, 4:41pm EST

By making a regular habit of saving and monitoring progress toward your financial goals, you can build stamina to reach the finish line and bask in the glow of a race well-run.

Whether preparing for your first marathon or your fourteenth, you know that you can’t finish the race without preparation and discipline. With 26.2 miles to cover, it’s most certainly not a quick sprint. The same can be said for financial goals.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re establishing relatively short-term goals, such as paying down credit card debt by year-end, or taking a longer view and planning for a first home, child’s college education or retirement, Regions Bank has some healthy financial habits that can move you closer to the finish line.

1. Create a plan

Going from couch potato to long-distance runner won’t happen overnight. Just as you’d need to plan a training regimen and determine milestones before tackling a long race, you’ll need to do some research and planning to figure out how to best reach your financial target.

Maybe your goal is to buy a first home, so start with some research to determine exactly what dollar amount you’ll need and when. Online savings calculators can provide details on how much you need to set aside each month to reach your goal. Once armed with that information, develop a budget around that goal and track your spending to be sure you stay on course.

2. Create a support network

A training partner can offer motivation and support before and during a race, and it’s no different with household budgets. Spouses should work together to keep tabs on their spending and savings, as teamwork can help everyone stay on track and focused on the ultimate goal.

Even kids can play a role, such as by helping to grow a college fund. By setting aside birthday or babysitting money, children can learn about the importance — and the rewards — of sacrifice and hard work.

3. Be flexible and change things up

Training with the same workout every day can not only result in losing interest, but it can make progress stagnate. If a budget is too restrictive and resulting in frustration, then it may be time to take another look. If you’ve focused on belt-tightening, think about how you can bring in additional cash to allow for some breathing room and an occasional treat. Consider working extra shifts, selling unneeded belongings, or renting out a room or parking spot.

Once you’ve made progress, look for other ways to supplement your savings. If you’re maintaining investment portfolios to help reach your goals, periodically rebalance them to make sure they reflect changing risk environments and to free up capital to take advantage of any new opportunities.

4. Adjust for the final stretch

As a big race approaches, it’s important to maintain conditioning while being wary of regimens that could bring on an injury from which you may not have time to recover. Similarly, with savings goals, as the need becomes more immediate, your savings and investment accounts will have less time to recover from a sudden dip in value, whether it’s from a market downturn or an emergency withdrawal.

For instance, when saving for retirement while in your 20s and 30s, higher-risk investments may provide greater growth potential over time. As you near retirement, however, you’ll want to start protecting the growth achieved and consider lower-risk holdings that can help preserve value.

5. Prepare for the unexpected

Life throws us curves, and it’s not unusual for a training program to get off-track for any number of reasons. Our financial goals can also be at risk, such as from unexpected home or auto repairs, a job loss or an injury. To be able to meet these challenges head-on, prepare an emergency fund to cover expenses. Experts at Regions Bank recommend saving enough to cover three to six months of expenses. If you’re not at that level yet, consider adding this purpose to your monthly budget.

By making a regular habit of saving and monitoring progress toward your financial goals, you can build stamina to reach the finish line and bask in the glow of a race well-run.

References:

  1. https://www.regions.com/Insights/Wealth?WT.ac=VanityURL_wealthinsights
  2. https://www.bizjournals.com/bizwomen/channels/cbiz/2017/01/5-ways-to-win-your-financial-marathon.html?page=all

7 Habits to Help Build Your Wealth | U.S. News and World Report

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By Paulina Likos. — U.S.News & World Report May 18, 2020

Successful investors practice these habits to be one step ahead of the market.

Develop a routine of successful investing habits.

When you’re investing for your financial future, practicing successful habits is a fundamental step in constructing a resilient portfolio. It’s evident that in the world of investing, money management can get complex. That’s why having the right habits ingrained in your investment approaches is important in bringing clarity to your decision-making and confidence in your portfolio management. Here are seven habits that will help guide you through investing decisions during unprecedented market movements.

Read more: https://money.usnews.com/investing/portfolio-management/slideshows/habits-to-help-build-your-wealth

Periodically review your investment plan.

Know what your specific financial goals are and develop an investment policy statement. An IPS is a plan that outlines investment objectives and goals for a particular investor drafted by the portfolio manager and their client. This can be a helpful tool to guide portfolio managers on implementing strategies to grow or preserve a client’s investments. Experts advise that clients stick with the initial plan even when drastic market changes occur; however, certain benchmarks should be monitored from time to time. You should examine your risk tolerance and investment plan every six months to ensure you’re on track with your investments when a financial crisis hits. “Changes will likely need to be made in accordance with a well thought out plan that was put in place before the first punch is landed,” says Tim Bain, president of Spark Assessment Management Group.

Invest in what you know.

While experienced investors can try to evaluate the quality of a company, more often than not, it can be difficult to define its overall valuation and understand its trends. Taylor Kovar, CEO of Texas-based Kovar Capital Management, says, “Don’t invest in something you’ve never heard of just because someone online said it was going to make you a millionaire.” It’s best to focus on companies with products that you’re familiar with, that way it will be easier to predict and understand the ebbs and flows of a company and, most importantly, help in managing your portfolio effectively. “Look in your closet [and] kitchen cabinet, and invest in the brand of the products you see,” he says. “This will help you invest in companies you actually enjoy. It’s like you are paying yourself every time you buy their products.”

Stay away from the latest fads.

Investors seeking yield in a low interest rate environment should try to steer clear of fads. This short-term phenomenon is prevalent during market underperformance and tends to be pretty risky. “It is psychologically very difficult to remain true to your patient investing convictions when it seems investors speculating in the latest fad (think cannabis or tech ‘unicorns’) are being rewarded,” says Robert Johnson, professor of finance at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska. There are plenty of other ways to diversify your assets rather than putting your money at risk with fads. “One doesn’t need to chase the latest trend to have investment success. Quite the contrary, chasing investment trends can be hazardous to your wealth,” Johnson says.

Be honest with your risk tolerance.

At any stage of your investing journey, it’s important to know if you are a conservative or aggressive investor. Defining risk tolerance is a habit that directly aligns with your financial goals. But sometimes, it can be unclear on how to determine where you lie on the risk spectrum. “Many investors tend to overestimate their level of risk tolerance, which causes them to sell at the worst times,” says Jerry Verseput, president at Veripax Wealth Management in Folsom, California. Market sell-offs like the one in March are good opportunities for investors to assess their feelings honestly as they saw the value of their investments drop.

Keep educating yourself.

An expert tip: Keep reading about how the market is changing. With the pandemic in mind, think about how habits and behaviors are changing in the short term, how that will affect the long term and how future trends might evolve. “What is going to be long-lasting in work and personal life? Do you want to be [investing in] Kodak film or the person investing in digital cameras? Don’t believe what you hear as much as know-how and where to find the facts,” says Peter Creedon, CEO at Crystal Brook Advisors in New York City.

Save for retirement.

Keep investing in your future by adding into your retirement account each month — that’s the power of dollar-cost averaging. Even if some months are fewer than others, allocating some of your income to retirement savings consistently puts long-term investors in a better position toward meeting their future financial goals. You can measure how successful you are as a saver by monitoring your retirement score, an estimate of what your retirement income may look like according to the steps you are taking to save now. This estimation will predict whether you’re on target on meeting your retirement needs or if you need to boost your allocation. It will also give you an idea of how much you will need for retirement and what changes you need to make that happen.

Know when to seek assistance.

Many individual investors try to find “do it yourself” methods for investing. There’s a misconception that successful investors should be monitoring the markets constantly and hold a finance degree, but most experts say the biggest hurdle is knowing when to seek help and how to find the right financial advisor. One tip: Find out what kind of experience the advisor has and which investing strategies they often use. “Make sure in an interview that the advisor shares your investing values and has a well-defined process to develop an investment policy statement for you and your goals,” says Jamie Ebersole, founder and CEO of Ebersole Financial in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts. “If you and your advisor are not aligned on these important issues, it will make for a very frustrating relationship.”

Setting yourself up for investing success.

  • Periodically review your investment plan.
  • Invest in what you know.
  • Stay away from the latest fads.
  • Be honest about your risk tolerance.
  • Keep educating yourself.
  • Save for retirement.
  • Know when to seek assistance.

Sources:

  1. https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/307635
  2. https://money.usnews.com/investing/portfolio-management/slideshows/habits-to-help-build-your-wealth