timeless tips

5 Timeless Financial Tips

Most people would agree that discussing your finances can be extremely challenging. The biggest hurdle that plagues us – – getting started. Like anything else, when it comes to beginning your journey to financial glory, you must set a goal. Once the goal is set, now it’s time to take action.

Of course, there are no “one-size fits all” type of approach, and no matter where you are in your life, you may need to address one or all of the following as it applies to your financial game plan:

(1) Create a spending plan (also known as the budget).

How much do you earn? How much do you spend? How much are your bills each month? How much do you save/invest? Try your best to stick to a spending plan each month and have someone hold you accountable when you do not stick to it. Please do not beat yourself up if you don’t stick to it each month because it’s hard to change your spending habits overnight. Grade yourself on a 3-month basis because if you can manage this over an extended period, then guess what, you’ve created a brand new habit! And if the conventional way of “budgeting” doesn’t work for you, consider an alternate strategy, like the 50/20/30 plan.

(2) Pay off credit card debt.

We all know that credit card companies make money off the interest they charge on your account. Here are a couple of tips: 1) Stop spending money that you don’t have; 2) Pay off the card with the highest interest rate; 3) Consider paying off the smaller balance (this will give you the emotional jolt to continue to fight against the larger balance) 4) If possible, pay more than the minimum payment each month. 5) Try the debt-snowball technique

(3) Build an emergency fund.

Make sure to have between 3-6 months worth of living expenses saved at all times. Or for those over-achievers, considering having 9 months to 1 year’s worth. This may be a challenge, but you will never be upset with yourself for saving money when an actual emergency pops up.

(4) Determine personal insurance needs.

Many people may be uninsured or under-insured, which could prove detrimental to your overall financial game plan if the unexpected happens. Consider your situation and see if life insurance and disability income insurance provided by your employer will sufficiently cover your needs. If need be, consider owning personal insurance outside of what is offered through your job. Please note, if you change jobs or lose your job, you will typically lose those employer-provided benefits because the employer is paying the premiums; thus, you don’t “own” the policy. Personal policies can help ensure that you’re protected, no matter where you work or what happens with your job situation. Also, your age and health play a HUGE role in how an insurance company will set the price of their policy, so please keep that in mind.

(5) Begin/review your retirement plan.

We all work extremely hard, but what do we have to show for all our years of service? Many companies are doing away with pension plans; thus, the responsibility of putting money away for retirement falls on our shoulders. Take advantage of your employer-sponsored retirement plans like a 401(k) or 403(b) because these plans allow you to invest monies tax-deferred. An excellent benefit of these plans is that they take money out of your check before getting paid. There are also ways to save for retirement outside of an employer-sponsored plan. Consider opening an IRA (traditional or Roth) or a brokerage account. An annuity or life insurance contract could also be an option. If you decide to save for retirement outside of your employer-sponsored plan, consult with a financial professional. You’ll need to be aware of contribution limits, tax treatment, and how the accounts work.

The #BuildWealth Movement™ works tirelessly to Disrupt Generational Poverty™ for everyone so their kids, kids, kids can live a life of privilege.

5 reasons

5 Reasons to Buy Life Insurance

Did you know that life insurance is not for those who die? It’s for those who live. Suppose you die and have life insurance in place. In that case, the people you love and care about (your beneficiaries) will receive a sum of money. They can use this money for anything; however, its primary purpose is to help make up for the loss of your income. The money that they receive is generally free of federal income tax and is usually used to address the following:

  1. Daily Living Expenses: help maintain your family’s lifestyle by replacing your current income. The proceeds can help make sure there is food in the refrigerator, utility bills covered, the car loan payment is on time, etc.
  2. Home: help protect your family’s home by enabling them to pay off the mortgage. It’s crucial because it can help them stay where they are comfortable and in a place that’s filled with memories.
  3. Education: help safeguard your child’s future by keeping the college fund intact. This will ensure that there will be money for their education no matter what
  4. Final expenses: help provide funds to pay estate taxes and other expenses, such as funeral costs, outstanding medical bills, etc. This will prevent leaving a financial burden while your family grieves.
  5. Retirement: help ensure a solid retirement for your spouse or partner since you’re no longer there.

While individual needs can be covered by life insurance, it also comes in handy for a business owner. Having life insurance can aid with business continuation. Life insurance can help keep the business in the family according to your intentions. There are many layers to the fantastic product called life insurance, and now, you know the “why” behind it.

The #BuildWealth Movement™ works tirelessly to Disrupt Generational Poverty™ for everyone so their kids, kids, kids can live a life of privilege.

soon to be parent

5 Planning Tips for the soon-to-be parent

The best time to get money-wise about parenthood should be before a child is born. Most soon-to-be parents are probably thinking about all the glorious elements of being a parent; the snuggling, baby baths, feeding, or changing diapers. The last thing newly minted parents are thinking about is making sure their family is set up for financial success. If you are a parent-to-be, preparing ahead of time will enable you to think through all your options and create a solid financial plan.

1.      Create a (parent) budget

When a child arrives, your family budget will change dramatically. Make sure to factor in the cost of diapers, baby formula, child-care, clothes, toys, and the list goes on.

2.      Start an emergency fund

Start saving three to six months of household expenses in an account that you can readily access. For those who wish to be a bit more aggressive, aim for six to twelve months.

3.      Review your insurance coverage

The primary goal is to make sure your family can continue to keep the household going financially if something unexpected were to happen. This involves you conducting a thorough analysis of your life insurance, along with short- and long- term disability insurance.

4.      Think retirement before college

Students have options for funding their education – – grants, scholarships, loans, and any savings or investments you’ve put aside. You don’t have such a variety of options to fund your retirement, nor can you make up for that time lost. Understandably, you want to provide proper funding for your child’s education. Still, your financial independence should be the top priority.

5.      Make an estate plan

Make sure your family’s wishes are carried out in the event something happens to you. Your family’s details will end up in court with a judge deciding what he or she thinks is best if you don’t have documents such as a will, trust, or power of attorney.

Please make sure to speak with a financial professional as it relates to these tips. Doing so will ensure that you and your family will have peace of mind related to your financial decision making.

The #BuildWealth Movement™ works tirelessly to Disrupt Generational Poverty™ for everyone so their kids, kids, kids can live a life of privilege.

5 estate planning

5 Important Estate Planning Documents

One of the most valuable gifts you can leave your loved ones is a properly prepared estate plan. During your lifetime, you will have worked hard to acquire various assets (hopefully). When you leave this earth, the choice is yours about who/what gets those assets. However, this won’t happen without proper planning. Please don’t leave it to the state to decide what happens to your assets upon your death. The first thing you should do is touch base with an estate planning attorney. They are well versed in the legal requirements for the state in which you reside.

Here are 5 estate planning documents that you should familiarize yourself with:

1.      Last Will and Testament – a will is a legal document which allows you to:

  • Designate who will receive your assets after your death; this avoids having your assets divided according to the state’s formula
  • Nominate an executor; they will manage your estate, pay your expenses, debts, taxes, and distribute your estate according to the instructions in your will
  • Nominate a guardian for your minor children

2.      Durable Power of Attorney for Health Care

  • With this document, you name a person of your choice and agreed to make a medical decision for you. This person will act on your behalf in health care matters if you cannot make those decisions. This authority expires upon your death.

3.      Revocable Living Trust

  • In a revocable living trust, your assets are transferred into a trust, generally administered by you for your benefit during your lifetime and transferred to your beneficiaries upon your death, without the need for court involvement. Your Last Will and Testament, which is supplemental to your trust, cover any assets that have not been transferred into the living trust. A revocable trust allows you to retain control of your assets during your lifetime, quickly transfer them to your beneficiary upon your death and avoid the expense and delay of Probate Court. This trust also helps to reduce or eliminate any federal estate taxes.

4.      Durable Power of Attorney for Property Management

  • This document designates and authorizes a person of your choosing to make financial decisions and manage your assets on your behalf to the same extent and effect as if you were present in person. Durable means that they may also act for you in the event you become incompetent or incapacitated.

5.      Living Will

  • A living will allows you to state your desires regarding the use of life-support devices to prolong your life if you are stricken with a terminal illness or when there is no reasonable hope for recovery from an injury or illness.

The #BuildWealth Movement™ works tirelessly to Disrupt Generational Poverty™ for everyone so their kids, kids, kids can live a life of privilege.

 

pexels-picha-stock-3894375

10 Money Tips For Women

There has been a ton of research around women and finances. One study, conducted by the National Center for Women and Retirement Research, showed a direct correlation between a woman’s personality characteristics and her financial habits. The study also revealed that some unique qualities tend to lead to smarter money choices: assertiveness, openness to change, and an optimistic outlook.

Money, in general, is an emotionally charged subject. Some experts say the beliefs that women have about money and their emotional attachments strongly influence how they spend and handle money. If you’re not where you want to be financially, do a quick assessment of what drives you emotionally when it comes to money. Try to figure out the roadblocks that keep you from becoming financially independent.

With that, here are 10 tips (not in order of importance) that can aid you on your journey to becoming a financial rock star:

  1. Be involved in the day-to-day of your family’s finances. Talk about money with your spouse or significant other.
  2. Don’t rely on someone else (spouse or significant other) for your future financial security.
  3. Set financial goals and track your progress along the way; They can break down as such: (a) Quick Win – a goal you can accomplish today, tomorrow, or within the next 1 or 2 weeks (b) Big Win – goals you can achieve within 1-month, 3-months, 6-months or 1 year.
  4. Don’t let the fear of (1) losing money, (2) of failure, or (3) of the unknown stop you from investing. The stock market (in the long run) is your friend.
  5. Consider taking on some DIY (do-it-yourself) projects around your home. Try fixing minor issues yourself. YouTube has a TON of DIY videos that can assist you and if you’re still not comfortable, ask a friend or family member to help out.
  6. Build a substantial emergency fund; 3-months is good, but 6-months is even better.
  7. Focus some attention on your retirement savings; a rule of thumb – put away 10% of your earnings each year.
  8. Pay yourself first! Since you pay your bills every month, you should be one of those “bills” that gets paid.
  9. Having a day job is great but think of other creative ways to earn additional income.
  10. Get your debt in check. Don’t spend money you don’t have (that one was for the credit card abusers). And, if you have student loans, know that you may have them for a while unless you’re working in a position that receives bonuses or commissions OR you receive a windfall of money.
  11. BONUS tip: Marry well! (Believe it or not, this is a strategy for some women)

The #BuildWealth Movement™ works tirelessly to Disrupt Generational Poverty™ for everyone so their kids, kids, kids can live a life of privilege.

you need a planner

You Need A Financial Planner

Financial planners were put on this earth for one reason, to help people get and keep their financial houses in order. But so many people avoid financial planners. Why, exactly is that? Are you one of those people who think you’re better off on your own? Perhaps. Are you the person who says you don’t make enough money; therefore, there’s no need for you to meet with one? Or maybe you’re the person who says, “I don’t want someone all up in my business.” Whatever your reason, you should seriously consider having a conversation with a financial planner because the data doesn’t lie! As a society, we are seriously failing at financial planning.

If you have some time, research this piece that the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors published in 2012. The findings are quite disturbing. In that piece, they reference an organization, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, which conducts an annual consumer financial literacy survey. Take a look at their survey in 2013 and 2014. It should come as no surprise, but the numbers continue to be extremely disappointing year after year. And, if you’re wondering how things are going today, not much has changed. On the flip side, this should encourage any financial planner to continue to reach out to and follow up with their clients, ask those tough questions, and challenge their clients to be better financial stewards.

Financial planning shouldn’t be something that we fear, but something we should embrace. If you are someone who doesn’t have a plan, you need one. If you’re someone who already has a plan, maybe you’re overdue for a review. No matter your situation, having a financial game plan will most certainly guarantee you financial independence (however you define it) at some point in your life. And just like that adage says, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

The #BuildWealth Movement™ works tirelessly to Disrupt Generational Poverty™ for everyone so their kids, kids, kids can live a life of privilege.

understand bene's

Understanding Your Benefits is Important

When you get a job, your employer may have informed you that you will be receiving some additional benefits aside from a paycheck. Some of the most important benefits a company may offer come by way of insurance. For this article, I want to focus on life and disability insurance. Determining what insurance benefits you select will depend on your unique situation. Keep in mind; employers may give you numerous insurance options to choose from, while others may offer the bare minimum. Nevertheless, read through the entire benefits packet that they give you!

Most people are well aware of the importance of health insurance, but not so much when it comes to life and disability insurance. Here’s a recommendation; take some time to determine how much life and disability insurance you need. The life insurance offered through your employer is the cheapest that you will find, typically because your employer is fronting most, if not all, of the premium payments for you. You will generally find that they may offer flat rates of coverage at varying cost to you, or they may have it where you’re entitled to an amount equal to one or two times your salary. If what they are offering isn’t enough, consult an insurance agent to determine how much additional coverage you need to fill your gap. Having adequate life insurance is of the utmost importance. Suppose your household has two wage earners and one passes away, or the breadwinner of your family was no longer here. In that case, the remaining family members would most certainly appreciate having money for the final expenses and maintaining their current lifestyle. The grieving phase will be challenging enough, but adding financial troubles into the mix makes things that much tougher on your family.

When it comes to disability insurance, the same rules apply. Your employer is fronting most, if not all, of the premium payments for you. Many of us don’t see the value of having disability coverage, but here’s some food for thought. If you were seriously sick or injured and unable to work, how would you pay your bills? If you answered that question by saying you have an adequate amount of emergency funds (3-6 months worth of expenses) saved, then you may be okay. If you don’t have such an amount, then disability coverage becomes your savior. Essentially, it enables you to maintain your current lifestyle. What happens for most people is that they fail to have the all-important emergency fund, which results in them having to tap other resources like their investment or retirement accounts or credit cards. None of those sources should be utilized if at all possible. Your employer may only offer short-term disability or a combination of short and long-term disability coverage. 

Remember, read your benefits packet because this is something you need to know. Again, just like with life insurance, if what your company offers isn’t enough, consult an insurance agent to determine how much additional coverage you need to fill your gap. [Just so you know, you will never be able to get 100% disability coverage, primarily because if you could get 100% of your earnings without working, you would never go back to work.]

Having a firm grasp of your insurance offerings through work is critical. There may be gaps within your overall insurance plan, and you need to make sure they are filled. Insurance is THE foundation of a financial plan. If you are not adequately protected, you are putting your investment and retirement accounts in serious jeopardy. Think of it this way, if you were going to build a house, would you start on the second floor? Of course not!! You set the foundation, which allows you to build the remainder of the house. There have been numerous studies conducted about the staggering number of under-insured people in this country. Please don’t let this be you. If you don’t care about insurance studies, ask a family member or close friend if they or someone they know has been negatively impacted by having an inadequate amount of insurance, then you will understand.

The #BuildWealth Movement™ works tirelessly to Disrupt Generational Poverty™ for everyone so their kids, kids, kids can live a life of privilege.

best time to invest

When is the Best Time to Invest

Having served as a financial service professional my entire career and I am repeatedly asked two questions: “When is a good time to invest?” and “Where’s a good place to put my money?”

I struggled tremendously with my response when I was a novice, but now that I’m a seasoned pro, it’s straightforward. I would always get tripped up on trying to sound smart or talk long enough to assure the person I knew what I was talking about. As I’ve matured, responding is so much easier. My answer to the first question, NOW! Today is a great day to invest (in something), and tomorrow will be too!

Now, both of your questions have been answered, so you can move forward and start investing. But wait, just giving you a simple answer isn’t enough. I know you will have some follow-up questions, and now comes the pivotal point in this exchange.

You’ve got two options:

1. Schedule a time with the professional and dig a little deeper about what you’re trying to accomplish with the money you want to invest. PLEASE keep this in mind…this meeting might cost you money. A financial service professional also has a family, bills, goals, etc. They are running a business. Just ask yourself, would you be okay working every month and not getting paid? If someone is offering free assistance, it will generally be limited in scope because whatever you are discussing could have been found/read on the internet. Thus, you need to decide if it’s worth you paying someone to help you get it done. If you are concerned after someone quotes you a price, make sure to shop around a bit (but not too long) to see what else the market is offering. Keep in mind, if you are paying someone, chances are you are serious and will follow through on things since you’ve put some “skin” in the game. Generally, people don’t truly value free advice; thus, they rarely take action after receiving it. You know yourself, so the decision is up to you.

2. Use one of the many do-it-yourself platforms that various financial institutions offer. With this option, you will be required to do your research and decide what you want to invest in. All of the platforms are extremely user-friendly, so you shouldn’t have any issues if you are tech-savvy.

You are now equipped with a few options to help you start (or reviewing) your investment plan. Once you have made a decision on which option, you have to act promptly. PLEASE do your best to avoid the awful disease called “paralysis by analysis.” The stock market doesn’t care how long it’s going to take for you to make a decision; you just need to do it. I would seriously hate for you to miss out on an opportunity because you’re still “thinking” about what to do.

The #BuildWealth Movement™ works tirelessly to Disrupt Generational Poverty™ for everyone so their kids, kids, kids can live a life of privilege.

taking inventory

Taking Inventory

Getting your financial house in order is a goal that most people set for themselves. Of course, not everyone will get things in order at the same stage in life. Like anything else, most people will do things when they are ready, not when some financial professional tells them to do so. Or they will decide to take action as a response to a life event. Here are a few examples.

Let’s say you have a friend (who has young children and a spouse) that passes away unexpectedly. After witnessing that, you decide to get serious about having adequate life insurance to protect your family. Or you have a co-worker who is getting well into their golden years but still HAS to work because they didn’t save/invest appropriately for retirement. Only then do you decide to start taking retirement planning seriously.

No matter your excuse or fear around financial planning, you must take it step by step. You have to crawl before you can walk, and you must walk before you can run.

Completing a personal balance sheet is the “crawl” step that everyone should take. This document, which you can find pretty much anywhere on the Internet, is easy to complete. It’s going to require you to list everything you own (assets) and everything you owe (liabilities). With some basic math (assets – liabilities), you will be able to determine your net worth.

Taking this “inventory” enables you to focus on where you need to start related to your financial plan. Plus, as you continue to move forward with your financial plan, this can serve as your barometer of financial fitness. The goal is to continue to grow your assets while decreasing your liabilities.

Some experts will recommend that you update your balance sheet once a year. However, if you are the type that needs more frequent feedback, perhaps you should consider updating your balance sheet quarterly or twice a year.

The #BuildWealth Movement™ works tirelessly to Disrupt Generational Poverty™ for everyone so their kids, kids, kids can live a life of privilege.

spare change

The Spare Change Experiment

I would like to share a story about why it doesn’t make much sense to keep all of your money in a bank account. Disclaimer: Having a bank account is essential. As a rule of thumb, having 3-6 months of savings (6-12 months is even better) in a bank or credit union is appropriate, but anything over that doesn’t make much sense.

During a previous job, I was an avid commuter. Every weekday I would take the train to and from work. On several occasions, I would notice that there was always spare change on the ground while passing through the turnstiles at the station. Pennies were the most plentiful, but I found $1 coins and even paper money even on a few occasions. If I had to pay for an additional fare or replace my train ticket, I would typically find spare change near the machine. What started as a simple observation turned into an obsession. Each day as I passed through the train stations, my eyes were transfixed on the ground, scanning for any signs of free money. My addiction took an even bigger turn because, after a week of doing this, I set up an excel spreadsheet to track my earnings. This adventure went on for nearly two whole years!

So what exactly is the point of my experiment? During the first year, I collected nearly $30 (this total excluded the paper money found) off the ground at the train stations. I’m sure you may have been thinking this while reading this article; yes, I carried hand sanitizer in my bag. That year, my bank only paid me $15 in interest from my savings account. The previous year my bank only paid $13 in interest from that same savings account.

Now the recommendation isn’t to become some spare change scavenger while you’re out in public. Still, from one (seemingly silly) experiment, I accumulated more money than what my financial institution was paying in interest for the past two years. This makes a very compelling argument for those people who are afraid of investing. Investing your money in the stock market or some other investment vehicle allows your money to work a little bit harder for you. Yes, the stock market can be a frightening place (when you don’t understand it), but if you look at any historical data about the stock market, you will see some magical things that have happened over the long haul. And yes, if you analyze the stock market in specific time frames, it would scare the boogie man. However, investing is an excellent thing that everyone should do, and the longer time horizon you have for investing, the better.

Lastly, I heard many people express that there isn’t any risk when your money is in the bank. However, keeping all of your money in the bank makes you highly susceptible to purchasing power (inflation) risk. Just so you don’t forget, when it comes to financial products, whether it’s banking or investing in the stock market, risk is ALWAYS involved.

The #BuildWealth Movement™ works tirelessly to Disrupt Generational Poverty™ for everyone so their kids, kids, kids can live a life of privilege.