The True Price Tag of Putting Off Financial Planning
Have you ever come across the saying “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail”? This question is particularly true for your finances. Many people struggle to know where to begin the process, and organizing their finances can often feel daunting. We understand.
However, just because it feels complex or confusing doesn’t mean it should be brushed aside. Postponing financial planning can result in big costs—in terms of time, effort, and finances. If you’ve been delaying creating a financial plan, you might be losing out on potential savings. Explore these five reasons why it’s important to stop avoiding a plan and take action for your future today.
Navigating the Shift: Moving Toward Retirement Decumulation
Throughout life, most of us spend the majority of our time concentrating on gathering money, possessions, and experiences. But as we age and move closer to retirement, it’s important to become aware of the transition called decumulation. Decumulation is the process of carefully spending your assets in order to maintain your lifestyle in retirement, and it’s a bit more complicated than the accumulation phase.
During accumulation, the goal is to save and invest wisely over time, which seems pretty straightforward. But decumulation adds complexity and involves carefully spending your saved money in a way without depleting your funds.
For many of our hardworking clients, the transition to the decumulation phase can be intimidating. Despite having a large savings fund, the idea of no longer receiving a regular paycheck can cause stress and anxiety. We often reassure them that with careful planning and spending at an acceptable level, they’ll be okay—and we’ll be guiding them every step of the way. In this article, I discuss 7 traps and pitfalls to avoid in the decumulation phase so you can experience a comfortable, carefree retirement.
Social Security Claiming Strategies for Single, Divorced & Widowed Women
At this point in history, it’s widely acknowledged that women consistently experience greater retirement challenges than men. Despite more women participating in the workforce, their average benefits tend to be lower than those of men due to the persistent gender pay gap. Additionally, the increase in divorce and decline in marriage rates means fewer women have the opportunity to claim spouse’s and survivor benefits, which can have a significant impact on their overall financial well-being during retirement.
An important part of your financial picture includes claiming Social Security retirement benefits. To understand your options and overcome the above barriers, keep in mind the following key points when planning to apply for Social Security benefits.
Happy Thanksgiving: Here’s What We’re Grateful For
As we gather around the table with friends and family to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday, we at Infiniti Wealth Management want to reflect on the many blessings that enrich our lives. While gratitude is a sentiment we carry in our hearts year-round, this special holiday offers a moment to pause and express our thankfulness for the people and opportunities that have shaped our journey.
For us, as financial advisors, Thanksgiving is not only a time for personal reflection but also an occasion to share the gratitude that fills our hearts and explain why we are thankful for the profound impact that both our clients and our profession have had on our lives.
Are You in the Retirement Red Zone?
Whether you find retirement sneaking up on you, or you’ve always banked on retiring early, retirement can sneak up on even the most diligent savers. In today’s uncertain economic times, it might leave you wondering if you’ve done enough to safeguard your financial future. If you’re five to 10 years away from retirement and questioning whether your savings will withstand the challenges of inflation, long-term care costs, healthcare expenses, and more…you’re not alone.
Let’s explore the critical considerations for those who might be unprepared for retirement’s financial hurdles, and move toward a comfortable and worry-free journey into your golden years.
The Best Time to Invest Was Yesterday: Timing the Market
Timing the market is an exceptionally challenging (if not entirely impossible) feat. Average investors consistently trail behind market indices, and even seasoned professional fund managers often find themselves falling short of their respective benchmarks. Both ordinary investors and professional fund managers have a difficult time pinpointing exactly when to make decisions about buying or selling securities. It proves to be a complex and nearly futile endeavor to accomplish consistently over an extended period of time. In this article, we’ll explain why and what you can try instead.
We're Never Too Busy to Help Someone You Care About
What are the most important things in your life? I bet you’ll quickly say family or maybe health or a sense of purpose. Money likely doesn’t top the list for most people, but its importance should not be underestimated. After all, money affects every part of your life and can give you the comfort and stability that positively impacts the things that matter most.
Because of its far-reaching impact, managing money often leads to stress and worry. That’s why a financial advisor can play one of the most important roles in a person’s life, forming a long-lasting relationship and providing objective counsel.
My Formula for Financial Success
Growing up we are taught many things: how to read and write, how to tie our shoes or ride a bike, how to multiply and divide, and many other essential life lessons. Yet most people are never taught basic financial habits. Financial literacy is key to experiencing financial freedom and success, so how do you learn these concepts when you are older?
A good place to start is to work with a financial advisor you trust, who can review your current financial situation and customize a plan for you to reach your goals. A good financial advisor will also educate you along the way so you can develop financial independence and confidence. So in the spirit of education, I’m sharing my personal formula for financial success—something I wish I had been taught when I was younger.
Don’t Let Your Emotions Control Your Wealth
Emotions are a powerful force that can shape our decisions and experiences in life. But when it comes to managing wealth, allowing emotions to take control can lead to detrimental outcomes. It’s essential to recognize the influence emotions can have on our financial choices and strive to maintain a rational mindset.
In the world of finance, fear and greed often tempt us to make impulsive decisions that may jeopardize our long-term financial well-being. By understanding the impact of emotions on your wealth, you can develop strategies to overcome these impulses and make sound, objective decisions.
In this article, we’ll explain why it’s so important to keep emotions in check when it comes to your financial journey, and share practical tips to help you maintain a balanced perspective.
What is Financial Planning & How is it Different From Investment Management?
When we think of our finances—which can be everything from retirement planning to daily budgeting to investing in the stock market—we tend to call everything financial planning. But is it?
If we called everything financial planning, it would be like calling all vehicles trucks. But in reality, only a handful of vehicles are trucks. There are also SUVs, compact cars, muscle cars, and, well, you get the picture.
When it comes to your finances, it’s important to understand the distinction between financial planning and investment management.