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This year, the average American household plans to spend over $1000 this holiday season on gifts, decorations, travel to family, and holiday meals. This, on top of normal monthly spending, can make December one of the most expensive months of the year. Without a plan of attack, December’s holiday magic can easily turn into January’s credit card nightmare. Taking just a little time now (even just an hour) can save you a lot of stress, money, and time later on when you’d rather enjoy the holiday season. Keep reading for a few easy, important tips to get organized now for a successful shopping season later. Part one: 5-step early holiday shopping budget 1. Review last year’s budget Dig out last year’s shopping list. In today’s digital age, “digging out” last year’s shopping list is hopefully as easy as opening a saved file on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Take a look at who you shopped for last year and how much you spent. This can refresh your memory, help create a budget for this year and kick-start your new shopping list. 2. Set a maximum spend and account for extras Knowing how much you spent on gifts last year is helpful, but you should also survey this year’s financial situation to see how much you can afford to spend. If you have a savings account for holiday shopping, check the balance. Also see what expenses are coming up and make sure you have a cushion for emergencies. When creating a budget for the holidays, give yourself a spending limit for gifts and don’t forget to account for entertaining and party hosting, decorations and travel costs. For even more control over your budget, you can narrow down a budget per person on your shopping list. If this is sounding like more lists than you know how to manage, you’ll want to check out the next tip. 3. There’s an app for that Download a holiday planning app. Technology saves the day again: There are several helpful (and free) apps to help you plan, budget and organize the holiday season. Santa’s Bag is a popular iOS app that gives you an easy and colorful platform for budgeting, planning and checking off the items on your list. You can create a total budget amount and an amount per person, and the app will automatically update your budgets when you tell it how much you spent. The app allows you to enter everything from your gift ideas to whether an item has been purchased and even wrapped. Christmas Gift List is a similar solution for Android users with the ability to track all your shopping, keep an overall and per person budget, and even archive lists so you can check back on previous years. 4. Prioritize shopping After you start your list, you might notice there are a few gifts that are more specific than others. Your wife might be hoping for a new cashmere sweater, but your daughter has that specific new smartphone in mind – plus, she’d love it in that hard-to-find color. For gifts that will fly off the shelves early, make it a priority to get these first. Note which gifts on your list need early attention and which ones are more generic or flexible that can wait until later. 5. Subscribe to stores and coupon websites Now is the perfect time to get on the email lists of the stores where you know you’ll do most of your shopping. You’ll be first to know when they have flash sales or free shipping days. You can also follow the accounts of your favorite shops on social media for exclusive sales and promotions. Subscribe to coupon and cashback websites and sign up for alerts now, and you’ll have all the best deals hitting your inbox directly – the perfect solution when you need an idea for the sibling who has everything. See, that wasn’t too hard. Now that you spent a little time getting organized for the holidays, you can go back to enjoying the season. Part two: Tips for sticking to your budget (and saving money) 1. Shop online Using a credit card is the most secure way to shop online. It is easier to dispute a fraudulent transaction on a credit card than with a debit card. Remember not to charge anything you cannot pay off when the statement comes. Check multiple websites to make sure that you are getting the best deal. Aim to get free shipping and check for coupon codes. Avoid paying more for something than you should. Items like gaming consoles and other highly desired items are often sold brand new by private parties for a healthy upcharge to parents who are willing to pay anything just to get something that they can’t find in the stores. These items can often be purchased at a fair price after the holidays when the demand drops. 2. Avoid holiday scams and frauds Be mindful of your purse, wallet, and credit cards. Watch for skimming devices and be discreet about how you enter your PIN number. Track packages and know when they are being delivered. Arrange to have them shipped to your place of employment or to have a neighbor pick them up off your porch. Be wary of vendors selling goods online who ask for gift cards as payment. This is a common internet scam, and it is likely that you will not receive the goods you purchased. Review your credit card statements often. Report and dispute any suspicious transactions right away. More holiday budgeting tips from Advisors Management Group By being prepared and organized, you can save time and money so that you can focus on what really matters this holiday season. When you’re ready to get started with robust financial planning, call Advisors Management Group. May your shopping be stress-free and may your holiday season be merry and bright!
The year 2008 proved emotionally exhausting for investors. Volatility rocked the markets causing the S&P to hit lows more than -17% by mid-July. Late summer brought a slight recovery and quieter conditions only to have the market plummet in October resulting in a new bottom of over -42%. Although these types of market conditions don't happen regularly, they can really cause emotional turmoil for investors when they come to pass. Here’s what you need to know about riding out the storm and keeping your cool while investing during market volatility. Don't assume Your portfolio is not “the market”. If you see that the S&P or the Dow Jones are down 2% in a day, it does not mean that you lost the same amount. Indexes can give you an idea of what is going on, but they are highly dependent on a few companies. For example, Apple currently makes up a whopping 6.59% of the S&P 500. If Apple moves significantly, the index is sure to be affected. Your portfolio, on the other hand, may not have any Apple in it. You also may have investments that are not in the S&P 500 at all. Your portfolio could include a mix of stocks, bonds, cash and even commodities such as precious metals. It’s best not to make any assumptions about what your portfolio is doing based upon what the indexes are doing. Instead, discuss your allocation and risk level with a trusted investment advisor regularly to determine what you should expect if markets move significantly. Don’t make emotional decisions We've all heard that you should buy low and sell high but making emotional decisions can cause investors to do just the opposite. Investors who panicked and sold out in October of 2008 most likely missed at least part of the recovery that followed in 2009 and 2010. Some investors who tried to jump back in at some point during the recovery re-entered the market at higher prices than they sold out at. Panicked investors aren't the only investors to be affected by emotional investment mistakes. Bullish investors sometimes are quick to call the bottom of a market and may find that FOMO (fear of missing out) causes them to overpay or take unnecessary losses. It’s generally best to avoid jumping in and out and trying to time the market, when investing during market volatility. Don’t overdo it on the withdrawals If you are a retiree depending on your account for income, don't panic. Your portfolio is likely designed to provide income from dividends and interest in addition to giving you the potential for modest growth. If you stick to your planned distribution, your portfolio should be able to weather the market volatility and still provide what you need. On the other hand, you may want to wait to take distributions for large purchases that require your securities to be sold at a loss in order raise enough cash to fund the purchase. Do stay calm If you feel emotional about money, it’s ok and it’s normal. We work hard for what we have saved, and it can make you very upset when you see losses during times of market volatility. You may feel better to know that the money it’s not been taken out of the account. In fact, when your investments go up, no one made a deposit. Investment gains and losses represent a change in the value of the shares you own. You do not own your balance. You own the shares in your portfolio. Sometimes your shares will be worth more than you paid, and sometimes, the value will be less than you paid. If you've been investing for a while, you probably have more money than what you’ve deposited from your own money. Investments never move upward in a straight line. They will move in both directions with a trend of moving upward over time. It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Do keep focused on the long term If you are a saver, these are great opportunities for adding to your long-term wealth. Now is not the time to stop saving. We want to buy low and market dips can offer us the opportunity to get the biggest bang for the investing buck. Our systematic savings buys more shares. If you are retired and are taking money out instead of saving, you still need to be focused on the long term. A person who retires in their 60’s will weather three or four bear markets and many corrections during retirement. Just because you are retired does not mean that you have a short investment horizon. Someone retiring in their 60’s very well can have a 20–30-year investment horizon based upon life span. Do seek advice on withdrawals, taxes, and security sales Planning how you take money out of your portfolio is always important, but it’s especially important to be smart during down years. A trusted advisor can help set up your portfolio with cash and income like dividends and interest so you are not selling securities at a loss. There may also be certain securities that are up in value when the broad markets are down, which could be sold, if needed, to provide cash for a withdrawal. Your advisor can also give you a heads up about what to expect at tax time because sometimes investors are caught off guard by taxable events that happen even though portfolio values may be negative. Do review your portfolio You may be afraid to look when you are losing. By meeting with your advisor, you can get reassurance and insight about what is going on in the world and how it is affecting your nest egg. You may even find out that it’s not as bad as you thought. A good advisor will want to let you know what is happening and explain how your portfolio has responded to the market conditions. If you haven't heard from your advisor, it may be time to consider finding another one. Negative markets and statements with negative returns are scary. You may be feeling like you need to quick do something to stop the bleed, or you may feel emotionally defeated, but know that the market is bound to go up and down. Stay focused on your goals and rely on your trusted advisor to guide you toward your goals, especially when investing during times of market volatility. Rebecca Agamaite Investment Advisor Representative Rebecca joined the firm in 2011 as an Investment Advisor Representative. In this role, she works with clients to manage their investment assets and help them obtain their financial objectives. Rebecca brings a great deal of experience to the team having worked for several years at Marshall & IIsley Bank and MetLife. She earned a Masters of Business Administration degree (with an emphasis on finance) from Concordia University. Advisors Management Group, Inc. is a registered investment adviser whose principal office is located in Wisconsin. Opinions expressed are those of AMG and are subject to change, not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, and investing involves multiple risks, including, but not limited to, the risk of permanent losses. Please do not send orders via e-mail as they are not binding and cannot be acted upon. Please be advised it remains the responsibility of our clients to inform AMG of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. This commentary is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to AMG’s investment advisory/management services. Any subsequent, direct communication by AMG with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. A copy of our current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available for your review upon request.
As financial planners, we hear all kinds of thoughts that people have about retirement. The fact is that no two people are the same and neither are two retirement scenarios. Your neighbor may plan on spending a whole winter in warm weather and you may prefer to stay near your children and grandchildren. There isn’t a right or wrong way to do retirement, but it is important to plan properly to make your ideal retirement happen. Let’s break down some of the common misunderstandings about retirement. Myth # 1 - I need $1,000,000 to retire You may need 1 million, 2 million, 10 million or perhaps you can retire on far less. It really is relative to what you need monthly to make your world go around. Let’s reframe this scenario and completely take a dollar amount out of the equation. You will need a certain amount per month to pay all your bills and pay for the extras you desire. If the mix of income, market growth, inflation, and distributions you have will provide what you need per month, you may be able to retire. Let’s say Jeff and Sharon are 65 and 67. They do not have a million dollars saved. They own their home and have paid off their mortgage and have no debt. They have normal bills such as utilities, insurance, home maintenance, and taxes. Additionally, they spend money on gas, groceries, gifts and other discretionary spending. Both Jeff and Sharon receive Social Security and Sharon has a teacher’s pension. These 3 sources of income pay for most of their expenses, but they do have other expenses that it doesn’t cover. They both have IRAs, and they have some money in accounts at their local bank. They withdraw a small amount from their IRAs to cover expenses that Social Security and pension does not cover. They work with their advisor to make sure they do not take too much money out of their IRAs, putting their portfolio in danger of running dry. Since their IRAs are invested, they see modest long-term growth that will allow them to increase their draw in the future as inflation increases their income need. This works well for them. A solid financial plan and an experienced advisor will help you to determine what you need to save, how much you need to accumulate and help you manage investments and plan out how to start to spend your money. Myth # 2 - I don’t have enough money saved to hire an advisor While there are some firms that require a certain level of wealth, many, like ours do not. We believe that having an advisor at all levels of wealth will put you on the right path to accomplishing your goals. If you wait until you feel your portfolio is large enough, you may not have enough time to change the path of your strategy. It is far better to seek help earlier in the game so that you can determine what is appropriate for your situation and what you will need to do to get there. Myth # 3 - My employer manages my 401k Nope, nope, nope…this is absolutely false. In fact, your employer cannot manage your 401k. Your employer is responsible for choosing suitable options for employees to invest in and getting the contributions into the plan, but they are not choosing what you personally are investing in or managing it for you. You will decide how much you’d like to contribute and what to invest in. There may be an investment person that will help you fill out the paperwork to enroll, but they won’t automatically make changes to your account through the years. Because a 401k plan sponsor (your employer) has a fiduciary responsibility to provide a suitable plan, many have included Target Date Funds or Lifestyle Funds to help investors select something suitable, but these are not personalized portfolios. Some financial advisors will help their clients oversee their retirement plans and adjust their strategy as they get closer to retirement. Some people may even decide to move a portion of their investments to IRAs as retirement approaches for a more hands-on approach to management. Myth # 4 - I should contribute all my savings in my pre-tax 401k to save on my taxes It is by no means wrong to save as much as you can afford in your pre-tax 401k, but it may not be the most tax efficient way to do things. In fact, you may want to include investments that are not in your 401k plan. Having different “buckets” of money that will be taxed differently will allow you to control tax in retirement and gives added flexibility to a retirement plan. You will however want to make sure that you continue to save enough in your 401k that you pick up any match that you are eligible for. Roth-401k - Many employers are offering Roth 401k as a supplement to the traditional pre-tax 401k. With Roth 401k you can use after tax dollars to fund the same employer sponsored plan. You won’t get a tax break this year, but you can take it out later without paying tax. Roth IRA - These work in a similar way as a Roth 401k; however, they are outside your employer’s plan. This puts you in the driver's seat when it comes to choosing the investments and allows for professional management. Again, you won’t get a tax break in the year you save it, but if you follow Roth IRA rules, you will be able to take it out tax free later. Please note that Roth IRAs are subject to income thresholds. Be sure to verify with your financial advisor or tax preparer that you are eligible to contribute. Brokerage - Retirement savings do not need to be in a retirement account at all. You can use accounts such as brokerage accounts or even bank accounts that are funded with after tax money to fund your retirement. You will owe tax when dividends and interest are paid on investments and when investments are sold at a gain. It is possible to control taxes by offsetting capital gains with losses as well. Brokerage accounts do not have the age restrictions on them like retirement accounts do; this allows you flexibility with retirement age and can be very useful if you are planning to retire before age 59.5. When you diversify your savings strategy, you also diversify your tax strategy which can pay off when it is time to start your spending strategy. Retirement Reality When considering what is fact and what is fiction when it comes to your retirement, it is important to know what facts apply to you. The perfect retirement is as individualized as you are. Working together with a trusted professional will help you to determine how you need to save, grow, and distribute the money you will need for your retirement. Rebecca Agamaite Investment Advisor Representative Rebecca joined the firm in 2011 as an Investment Advisor Representative. In this role, she works with clients to manage their investment assets and help them obtain their financial objectives. Rebecca brings a great deal of experience to the team having worked for several years at Marshall & IIsley Bank and MetLife. She earned a Masters of Business Administration degree (with an emphasis on finance) from Concordia University. Advisors Management Group, Inc. is a registered investment adviser whose principal office is located in Wisconsin. Opinions expressed are those of AMG and are subject to change, not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, and investing involves multiple risks, including, but not limited to, the risk of permanent losses. Please do not send orders via e-mail as they are not binding and cannot be acted upon. Please be advised it remains the responsibility of our clients to inform AMG of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. This commentary is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to AMG’s investment advisory/management services. Any subsequent, direct communication by AMG with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. A copy of our current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available for your review upon request.
The face of investing is rapidly changing in America. Today 1 in 4 millennials have saved over $100,000 and about 1/3 report that they started investing before age 21. While younger investors have more money and start younger, they often don’t feel like they fit into the mold of traditional investing strategies. If this sounds like you, you may be wondering why you would even consider hiring a financial adviser. Desire for Social Responsibility in Investing While traditionally companies at the forefront of technology have been popular with younger investors, today young investors are interested in companies who align with their environmental, social and political ideals. While investors who lean towards companies with ethical practices are putting their money where their mouth is so to speak, social responsibility is very subjective. Socially Responsible Investments (SRI’s) might be faith based or may avoid controversial exposures such as tobacco, firearms or high carbon footprints. Some SRI’s will focus on sustainability, others focus on social justice or might only invest in companies with a reputation for treating employees well. Socially Responsible Investing can be difficult to quantify. It evolves constantly and new trends emerge. Since the criteria is very subjective, you could be leaving some great investing opportunities on the table. On the other hand, you could be investing in companies who aren’t as socially responsible as they claim. Limiting the scope of investments often can mean a direct impact to return and can affect diversification. The right advisor can help you navigate this vague and often confusing investment category. The Rise and Fall of the Meme Stocks In 2020 and 2021, meme stock mania gripped the world of online investing drawing attention to companies such as GameStop, Blockbuster, AMC Entertainment and Bed Bath and Beyond. Many of these companies were otherwise considered “has-been” or doomed companies, but they gained cult-like followings because of online chatter. Social Media platforms such as Reddit and Facebook became hotbeds of chatter where investors planned stock squeezes. They purposefully planned to drive up the share price of these low-quality stocks to unexpected prices, then sell them quickly while prices were high. Online brokers such as Robinhood facilitated easy to access trading platforms that allowed meme investors to act quickly to trade these companies in hopes of cashing in big on the rise in price. While a few did, more people found systems jammed and were unable to execute trades quick enough to beat falling prices. It is speculated that most of these meme stock investors were ages 18-24. Younger investors can fall prey to online chatter and can be lured into investing into risky investments with little knowledge about what they are investing in. Because of the fast nature of this type of investing, investors find themselves placing bets rather than making investments based upon a solid investment strategy. Using an advisor can help you avoid investing that is based on emotion or has unnecessary risk. Robo Advisors Robo Advisors can be appealing for younger investors because they are low cost and offer investors the ability to answer a few questions and then direct money into automated investment strategies. While these options are perhaps better than going at it alone, they lack customized advice and are based on past market algorithms. Past market trends do not necessarily predict future market conditions. A solid strategy will be forward looking and will include analysis on current economic conditions. Without a human at the helm to ask the important question, you are unlikely to really dial down what you need to do to accomplish your long-term goals or make the necessary adjustments as your life changes along the way. Not Your Parent’s Advisor Today’s financial industry has changed, and these changes are forcing advisors to embrace the desires of today’s investors or be left behind. Fee structures and commissions have evolved. Old fashioned financial products such as loaded mutual funds have been replaced with open trading platforms giving access to ETF’s, NFT’s and individual stocks. Advisors today that have embraced technology have access to client portals, planning software and online tools. You may be able to meet via web meetings and even sign paperwork electronically. Whether you are at the beach or at your home office, today’s advisors have plenty of options to make investing convenient. While younger investors may not think they have much in common with prior generations of investors, some things don’t change. All investors navigate risks both in investment portfolios and in their financial situations. Most investors have an end goal such as retirement and most investors will face different economic conditions and both good and bad market conditions. DIY investors often do not know what risks are lurking in their portfolios. They often lack proper diversification or simply take far more risk than what they need to. Some investors have every good intent to do formalized retirement planning but may not be saving enough or using the most tax efficient strategies yet are completely unaware that they are not on track. The fact is, whether you have $10,000 or $10,000,000, most people find that having a clear strategy guided by the right professional, brings a lot of peace of mind and allows you to focus on what matters most to you like family, home and career. Rebecca Agamaite Investment Advisor Representative Rebecca joined the firm in 2011 as an Investment Advisor Representative. In this role, she works with clients to manage their investment assets and help them obtain their financial objectives. Rebecca brings a great deal of experience to the team having worked for several years at Marshall & IIsley Bank and MetLife. She earned a Masters of Business Administration degree (with an emphasis on finance) from Concordia University. Advisors Management Group, Inc. is a registered investment adviser whose principal office is located in Wisconsin. Opinions expressed are those of AMG and are subject to change, not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, and investing involves multiple risks, including, but not limited to, the risk of permanent losses. Please do not send orders via e-mail as they are not binding and cannot be acted upon. Please be advised it remains the responsibility of our clients to inform AMG of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. This commentary is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to AMG’s investment advisory/management services. Any subsequent, direct communication by AMG with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. A copy of our current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available for your review upon request.
August 14th is National Financial Awareness Day and it’s the perfect opportunity to sharpen your financial skills. National Financial Awareness Day is a day dedicated to financial literacy and helping people to learn the principles of building financial stability. Whether you are building your financial future or are a well-established financial wizard, everyone can observe the day by taking on a few small tasks aimed at their financial wellbeing. Unsure sure where to start? Here are some ideas: Check Your Credit You are entitled to a free copy of your credit report every 12 months from each of the three credit bureaus. Visit AnnualCreditReport.com for your free copy, which is available either digitally or by mail. By checking your credit, you can understand what someone else sees when you apply for credit, housing, or utilities. This can include how you use your credit accounts, how much money you owe, how much available credit you have, and your payment history. Checking your score annually, can help you find inaccurate information or catch potential identity theft. Being actively aware of your credit, puts you in control of your situation and can help people to establish good habits that often result in higher credit scores. Download an App Do you want to keep your finances at your fingertips? Consider downloading and getting acquainted with one of the many finance apps available. There are apps that can help you to budget, pay bills, pay down debt, and more. This is a convenient way to harness technology for the sake of increasing your financial wellness. Conquer your cash flow - Knowing where your money goes is one of the basic financial planning concepts, yet most people do not do this. Understanding where your money goes can help you pinpoint waste. By eliminating waste, you can increase savings for long-term goals such as retirement or paying down debt. Knowing that your long-term goals are accounted for you can spend excess cash flow in a guilt-free manner. Bust Your Debt Whether it is student loans or credit cards, most can agree that carrying extra debt can add extra stress to your situation. While some people may choose to ignore the problem, it is better to face debt head-on and strategize how to pay it down. One of the quickest ways to see progress is to use the snowball strategy. Essentially this is focusing on paying off one loan at a time starting with the smallest, then allocating what you were paying on that loan to the next smallest. Remember to continue to pay the minimum payment on the other loans to avoid adverse credit reporting. Increase Your Saving Bumping up your savings by a few extra dollars each month can make a huge difference. If you don’t have emergency savings in place, you may want to begin there. Aim first for $1,000, then when you have that in place, work towards 3-6 months of expenses. Note that your specific lifestyle may require a different amount of emergency reserves. Your trusted financial advisor can help you to determine what is appropriate for your situation. Another easy way to bump up savings would be increasing your retirement savings by a percent or two or enrolling in automatic contributions to investments or bank accounts. Schedule An Appointment With A Fee-Only Fiduciary Advisor A fiduciary will work in your best interest and avoid conflicts of interest such as commission and expensive investment products. An advisor will help you build a plan to achieve your financial goals. As your family grows, your financial plan should too, and your trusted advisor will help you adjust your plan. In addition, your advisor can help manage your assets to be sure the investment strategy aligns with your financial goals. Meeting with your advisor and reviewing your plan and investments regularly is important to measure progress and adjust the plan accordingly. There are so many great ways to observe National Financial Awareness Day that you may not know where to start. Don’t stress, every step forward regardless of how small it is a step in the right direction. Rebecca Agamaite Investment Advisor Representative Rebecca joined the firm in 2011 as an Investment Advisor Representative. In this role, she works with clients to manage their investment assets and help them obtain their financial objectives. Rebecca brings a great deal of experience to the team having worked for several years at Marshall & IIsley Bank and MetLife. She earned a Masters of Business Administration degree (with an emphasis on finance) from Concordia University. Advisors Management Group, Inc. is a registered investment adviser whose principal office is located in Wisconsin. Opinions expressed are those of AMG and are subject to change, not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, and investing involves multiple risks, including, but not limited to, the risk of permanent losses. Please do not send orders via e-mail as they are not binding and cannot be acted upon. Please be advised it remains the responsibility of our clients to inform AMG of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. This commentary is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to AMG’s investment advisory/management services. Any subsequent, direct communication by AMG with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. A copy of our current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available for your review upon request.
As inflation continues to affect Americans, many are looking for ways to stretch their dollar a little further. The U. S. Department of Agriculture reports an increase of 11.9% in grocery store food prices from May of 2021 to May of 2022. This added to increase of other necessities can really put a pinch on your budget. Thankfully, careful planning and having a few tricks up your sleeve can help you make the most of your grocery dollars. Eat food in season and buy food grown locally Those who live in the northern regions of the country know just how expensive things like fresh berries can be in the cold months. Fortunately, costs drop significantly as the growing season expands across country. Local food travels fewer miles which results in less transportation costs and a fresher product. Check out local farmer’s markets and garden stands, or purchase Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) produce or meat boxes from local farms or co-ops. Another way to lower your food budget is to plant a garden, not only can this help lower the cost to feed your family it is a great outdoor activity for everyone including children. Finally, learning to preserve larger quantities of food in season by freezing and canning foods for use over the winter can allow you to enjoy your favorite foods throughout the entire year and can help cut down on food waste. Plan your meals and shop with a list We all know it is a bad idea to shop on an empty stomach, but shopping without a plan can also put all sorts of extras in your cart. Before you head out to shop, make a list of each week’s meals, and see what items are already on hand. While you are taking inventory of your pantry, make a list of the things you are running low on. Keeping staple items on hand can help you avoid unnecessary extra trips. Shopping every other week can also save you time and money. Once you arrive at the store, shopping from a list will help you to avoid impulse purchases or just walking down the isles putting unnecessary items in your cart. Track and compare prices on items you buy regularly If you track the prices on items you buy frequently, you will be able to evaluate if something is a deal or not. Most stores rotate their sales and soon the patterns of pricing will be easy to anticipate. Shop items featured in the weekly flyer, use store loyalty programs and coupons. Check out the clearance area and fresh items reduced for quick sale. Only buy reduced items you can use right away or freeze. Don’t be afraid to switch up where you shop or buy store-brands instead of name-brand items. If you are willing to think outside the box, you may find great deals at dollar stores, scratch and dent liquidators, Amish bulk stores, and discount grocery stores. Buy in larger quantities and portion out While a 5.3 oz cup of Greek yogurt costs $1.49 or $0.28 per oz, the same yogurt in a 32 oz container costs $5.79 or $0.18 per oz. Convenience can add considerable cost to items. Instead consider just scooping out the yogurt in a bowl or a single serve food storage container. The same thing applies to everything from snacks to meat. If a bulk pack is too much to use, you can always break down the large packages into smaller portions that will fit your needs. Use food storage containers, storage bags, and freezer paper to store these small portions. Over time these savings can really start to add up. Avoid Waste If your crisper drawer is where green things go to die, you are also wasting the green in your wallet. If your plans change often or find yourself not eating your produce fast enough, consider frozen or canned instead. It typically costs less and has a longer shelf life. Also don’t make too much when preparing meals especially if you or your family doesn’t like leftovers. Cook just enough to satisfy your family’s hunger. If you do cook extra, reimagine your leftovers into another meal. Extra rice can easily be made into fried rice, left over steak can become steak and eggs, pasta can be added to soups and salads. Baked chicken can become chicken salad. If you still find yourself with leftovers, place them in the freezer to use them later when you need a quick meal. While rising food prices can cause a lot of stress to your budget, putting some strategy into your spending can not only save you money, but it can also save time and reduce food waste as well. Knowing what you have on hand, what you need and what you are spending will put you in the driver’s seat despite high food costs. Rebecca Agamaite Investment Advisor Representative Rebecca joined the firm in 2011 as an Investment Advisor Representative. In this role, she works with clients to manage their investment assets and help them obtain their financial objectives. Rebecca brings a great deal of experience to the team having worked for several years at Marshall & IIsley Bank and MetLife. She earned a Masters of Business Administration degree (with an emphasis on finance) from Concordia University. Advisors Management Group, Inc. is a registered investment adviser whose principal office is located in Wisconsin. Opinions expressed are those of AMG and are subject to change, not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, and investing involves multiple risks, including, but not limited to, the risk of permanent losses. Please do not send orders via e-mail as they are not binding and cannot be acted upon. Please be advised it remains the responsibility of our clients to inform AMG of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. This commentary is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to AMG’s investment advisory/management services. Any subsequent, direct communication by AMG with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. A copy of our current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available for your review upon request.
Choosing a financial advisor is a big decision. In doing so you are giving someone access to a very sensitive part of your life. Remember you are hiring an expert to work with you. Your advisor should provide value to you and your financial decisions. Here are some things to consider when hiring a financial advisor. Communication It is important to find an advisor who communicates clearly and timely and that you understand and are comfortable with what is going on with your money. In addition, your advisor should be reaching out to you regularly to go over your portfolio and discuss how current economic and geopolitical conditions can impact your portfolio. Lastly, you want to be sure your advisor or their team is accessible to you so that if you have questions or need something done it can be handled in a reasonable amount of time. Find a fiduciary A fiduciary is legally required to work in your best interest. Today many financial professionals are registered as fiduciaries, however it is possible for an advisor to be dually registered. This means they are registered as a fiduciary and as a broker dealer, which can present a conflict of interest. Broker dealers are held to the suitability standard, meaning that they can recommend investments that are suitable for you, but not necessarily the best for you. Advisors who only work under a fiduciary standard are held to stricter rules and are required to act only in the best interest of the investor. Compensation Understand how the advisor gets paid. Brokers can receive commissions on the investment products they sell. A conflict of interest can arise when one investment product pays a higher commission than another product. Fiduciaries are paid through a fee from their client. This eliminates conflicts of interest on investment recommendations. Planning Style Find someone who will take a holistic view of your finances. Creating a portfolio is an important piece of your financial strategy, however this is only one part of your personal finances. Find an advisor who can add value to you in other ways. They should have a knowledge of tax laws as costly mistakes have been made by being unaware of these consequences. Do you have enough in your emergency fund? Are you on track for retirement? What will happen to your assets when you pass away? This broad view will help to make sure all the pieces are working together to help you achieve your financial goals. Get a Referral Speak with family and friends. See who they recommend and why. Knowing that someone you trust is working with and presumably is happy with the service the advisor provides can help make you more comfortable in moving forward. Not all financial advisors are the same. It is important to find someone who communicates well with you and will work with you on achieving your goals. Taking the time to find the right advisor can yield big benefits as you build a relationship that can last for decades. Kate Pederson Investment Advisor Representative & Tax Preparer Kate joined Advisors Management Group in December 2017. Prior to joining the firm, she worked in manufacturing and healthcare during her career as a financial analyst. Advisors Management Group, Inc. is a registered investment adviser whose principal office is located in Wisconsin. Opinions expressed are those of AMG and are subject to change, not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, and investing involves multiple risks, including, but not limited to, the risk of permanent losses. Please do not send orders via e-mail as they are not binding and cannot be acted upon. Please be advised it remains the responsibility of our clients to inform AMG of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. This commentary is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to AMG’s investment advisory/management services. Any subsequent, direct communication by AMG with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. A copy of our current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available for your review upon request.
Just like a map or a GPS is needed for someone driving a car on a long trip, a financial plan is useful for anyone wondering about their financial future. A financial plan lets us know if we are heading in the right direction, for example north instead of south. Much like a long journey, life will have many twists, turns and a few unexpected bumps in the road. However, with a well-planned route, we can have a clear idea of whether we are heading in the direction of our destination. What is a Financial Plan? A financial plan is a document that evaluates cash flow, assets, goals, and brings the information together in a document that predicts how much money and income you will have in the future. This document will be used to determine if your current strategy will accomplish your goals, or if you need a different one. Who can benefit from a financial plan? Financial plans are useful for people of all ages. A financial plan looks at money that is coming in (wages for most people), assets that you have saved so far, and what you are currently saving. This along with other factors helps to plan a path for your financial future. This could be saving for a large purchase, paying off debt, or saving for the future (children’s education or retirement). Financial plans are also helpful for people already in retirement as they can be used to help identify a strategy for creating retirement income, spending down assets, or planning to leave them to heirs. To prepare a financial plan your financial planner will need to gather some information from you. You will likely need to bring the following: Recent paystubs Last year’s tax return Statements for any retirement or investment accounts that you have Information on any pensions that you may have Social Security Statements (get yours at ssa.gov/myaccount ) More complex plans may require information about insurance and/or legal work Your planner will ask some questions to get to know you and find out what is important to you. A good planner will be interested in not just how much money you have, but also in what you would like to accomplish with your money. This conversation along with the data you bring to your appointment will help your planner to craft a financial plan that is specific to your goals. Your planning process will likely consist of several meetings. Costs are generally dependent on the complexity of your plan, and it is even possible that your advisor will provide some basic planning at no cost. Life will continue to change over time, for this reason it is important to revisit your financial plan with your advisor every so often to account for any detours or bumps along the road of life. Financial plans are working documents that need to be adjusted as circumstances change. You should expect to update your financial plan several times during your working years. Generally, this will be every few years or when a major life change occurs. If you would like to find out more about having your personal financial plan prepared, contact us to set up your no obligation consultation today. Kate Pederson Investment Advisor Representative & Tax Preparer Kate joined Advisors Management Group in December 2017. Prior to joining the firm, she worked in manufacturing and healthcare during her career as a financial analyst. Advisors Management Group, Inc. is a registered investment adviser whose principal office is located in Wisconsin. Opinions expressed are those of AMG and are subject to change, not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, and investing involves multiple risks, including, but not limited to, the risk of permanent losses. Please do not send orders via e-mail as they are not binding and cannot be acted upon. Please be advised it remains the responsibility of our clients to inform AMG of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. This commentary is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to AMG’s investment advisory/management services. Any subsequent, direct communication by AMG with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. A copy of our current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available for your review upon request.
How long do I have to save all of this paperwork? This is one of the most common questions people ask their accountants and financial professionals. It seems that nearly everyone has a box or a drawer of papers that they are not sure what they should do about. Over the years these documents can really add up and before you know it decades can pass. You may even find yourself helping an elderly parent or friend who has a lifetime worth of paperwork saved. One look at that pile is bound to leave you overwhelmed. What should I do with all this paperwork? Well, it really depends on what the paperwork is. The good news is that in most cases, you can likely dispose of at least some of it. Here are some general guidelines for saving documents. Whether the documents are personal information, for business, tax reporting or legal documents, there are different recommendations for the length of time you need to save each of these. Record Keeping for Individuals: In general, different items are saved for 1 to 7 years, but some should be saved indefinitely. Personal documents, such as personal bank account statements can be kept for 1 year and then securely disposed of. The same applies to your investment statements. Since 2011, cost basis (the price paid for an investment) has been tracked by investment firms. This makes it easy to find this information if you need it in the future. Before getting rid of any information documenting cost basis, you should check with your Financial Advisor or Tax Preparer. The same would apply to documents related to cost of real estate or other assets. If in doubt, keep it as it can be difficult to recreate this information. Personal Tax Returns should be saved for at least 3 years. The IRS has 3 years from the filing date to initiate an audit of your return, so you want to have the tax return along with all the documents that support income and deduction items reported on that return. If you filed your return before the due date, then the IRS will use the due date to start the 3-year clock (typically April 15th). State tax returns can have different statute of limitations, so check with your state to see if that document retention period is different from the IRS. Personal legal documents including documents such as Deeds, Birth/Death Certificates and Stock Certificates should be kept forever. Record Keeping for Business Owners: When you own a business, it is important to save information for a bit longer. Most business income and expense documents should be saved for at least 7 years. This will include bank statements and reconciliations, employment tax records and timecards, invoices for both customers and vendors along with inventories. Business legal documents that should be kept permanently would include things such as Corporate Minute Books, Business Registrations and Patent/Trademark information. A Note on Digital Recordkeeping You can always save these documents in paper form, but you could also save most of these items electronically. This can also work well for items such as photographs and home video. While you may be tempted to just upload everything to a flash drive, consider solutions that provide regular backups, a plan for emergency recovery and encryption. It can be truly overwhelming to weed through your personal records due to the many considerations and recommendations for lengths of time. If you are purging documents, be sure to dispose of them in a secure manner such as shredding. Be sure to keep the documents that you may need in the future. Protect important documents in fireproof safes or in safe deposit boxes. If you are unclear, be sure to ask a professional before disposing of documents and always err on the side of keeping things for longer. Melanie Chapel Director of Payroll Services, Senior Accountant, Tax Preparer, Tax Manager & Business Consultant Melanie has been part of the Advisors Management Group team since 2008. She has over 23 years of tax and accounting experience and enjoys working with clients to help them better manage their businesses. Advisors Management Group, Inc. is a registered investment adviser whose principal office is located in Wisconsin. Opinions expressed are those of AMG and are subject to change, not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, and investing involves multiple risks, including, but not limited to, the risk of permanent losses. Please do not send orders via e-mail as they are not binding and cannot be acted upon. Please be advised it remains the responsibility of our clients to inform AMG of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. This commentary is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to AMG’s investment advisory/management services. Any subsequent, direct communication by AMG with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. A copy of our current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available for your review upon request.
When you have a child with special needs, you are accustomed to planning ahead. How do you prepare for their future? There is a lot to think about and we are here to help. Keep reading, and let Advisors Management Group tell you more about financial planning for a special needs child. Contact us when you’re ready to begin. Why It’s Important to Make a Plan Whether your child is on the autism spectrum, has Downs syndrome, or has a different condition, you know the amount of work it takes to provide a happy life for them. As you continue to create a positive presence for your child, you need to remember to set them up for success later in adulthood, after you are gone. Financial planning includes everything from the possibility of college and independent adult life to caretaking for them when you are no longer able to. No one knows your child as well as you do, so start planning today. Things to Remember When considering financial planning for a special needs child, there are specific items you must remember to include. Taking care of these steps now helps secure your child’s future, especially if you are unexpectedly unable to care for them any longer. Start With a Letter of Intent The very first place to start is to write out all of your thoughts, desires, and wishes for your child in a letter of intent. A letter of intent is not a formal legal document, so you have the freedom to draft it in whatever format is most comfortable for you. This letter should be thorough, giving clear details about how you intend your child’s life to be after you are unable to care for them anymore. A few things you might want to share in this letter include: Their daily routines Contact information for all physicians and therapists involved in their care Your emotional approach to their care How much independence you give them Frequency and schedule of health appointments List of things your child likes and dislikes Names and contact information for friends and family that spend time with your child The information in this letter can be used to draft legal documents later, so it is very important to be as detailed as possible. Consider a Special Needs Trust (SNT) When you consider your child’s financial future, you may choose to set up a specific type of trust just for their situation. A Special Needs Trust (SNT) is a place you can keep all the financial assets, gifts, and money that you have saved up for them - all without disqualifying them from federal benefits like Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Medicaid. This is very important because if your child inherits $2,000 or more in their name, they could become ineligible for those federal programs set up to help them. If the assets from their inheritance are left in an SNT, your child will still qualify for the federal programs. Consider an ABLE Account ABLE stands for Achieving a Better Life Experience. It is a savings program that is set up specifically for those with special needs. People with disabilities can use the money from this account to pay for qualified disability expenses tax-free. Tax credits may apply for those who contribute to ABLE accounts and the first $100,000 is exempted from the SSI resources limit. This means that ABLE account beneficiaries can have some longer term resources that will not disqualify them from receiving public benefits such as assistance for health care, food, and housing. Guardianship or Conservatorship As you prepare for your child’s financial future, you also need to set up a guardian or conservator for them. What is the difference between guardianship and conservatorship? This depends on your state. For example, guardianship and conservatorship statutes specific to Wisconsin can be found in Chapter 54 of the updated Wisconsin Statutes. Please seek legal counsel before making the decision. Generally, a guardian has the legal ability to make personal, medical, and financial decisions for a person. A conservator usually just has the authority to make financial decisions (like paying bills and investing funds). Protect Them in Your Will As you set up your will, remember to bequeath your assets to the SNT and not directly to your child. If you don’t create and set up a will, the courts default to naming all of your children as beneficiaries, and the assets could disqualify your child from federal programs or aid. Even though some types of wills can be created by yourself, work with a lawyer you trust when you have a child with special needs. They will be able to give you sound legal advice and they will know about your state’s current disability laws. Set Up Your Child for Independence A very important part of financial planning is teaching your child the basics of adulthood and money management. What type of job do they want? What type of jobs are best for their skills? Where do they want to live? Think a few years ahead and either work directly with your child or with therapists to help your child develop skills that help them live as independently as they can. This is a good idea for kids of all skills and development levels. Discuss things like hygiene, jobs, and paying bills. Give your child the best chance at independenfinancial advisor in Green Bay, WI with as much practice and support as you can give them now. Speak to a Financial Planner When it comes to financial planning for a special needs child, it is important to think of both present-day and far into the future. This is why it is so important to speak with a financial advisor in Wisconsin. They will look at your current finances and help you create a plan that includes providing for all of your children in the best way possible. Advisors Management Group, Inc. is a registered investment adviser whose principal office is located in Wisconsin. Opinions expressed are those of AMG and are subject to change, not guaranteed, and should not be considered recommendations to buy or sell any security. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns, and investing involves multiple risks, including, but not limited to, the risk of permanent losses. Please do not send orders via e-mail as they are not binding and cannot be acted upon. Please be advised it remains the responsibility of our clients to inform AMG of any changes in their investment objectives and/or financial situation. This commentary is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to AMG’s investment advisory/management services. Any subsequent, direct communication by AMG with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides. A copy of our current written disclosure statement discussing our advisory services and fees continues to remain available for your review upon request.
