Whether you’re interested in buying a condo in your favorite vacation spot or are interested in rental income, it’s critical that you consider how the purchase fits into your lifestyle and financial picture. Owning a second home can seem glamorous and potentially offer you another source of income, but it can also be a time and money pit. Whatever your reasons for considering another property, here are some factors to consider before taking the plunge.
By Michael J. Searcy
Nope, we’re not talking about crashing markets or the end of the economic world here. We are talking about the name of a letter one of our clients has written to be given to his survivors. He has instructed them to only open it in the case of his death or incapacity. The purpose? To make things easier for his survivors and point them in the right direction of what needs to happen next. We talk about these things with clients on a regular basis but seldom do they actually implement this type of communication. Far too often it lands on the “good idea when I get around to it” list. This is understandable because who really wants to face their own mortality? We applaud this client for being proactive.
Are you or one of your children typing the knot soon? For any couple heading to the altar, financial matters can emerge as a major challenge. As much as you may love each other, there’s no guarantee you’ll be on the same page about money. In fact, it’s not unusual for a “spender” and a “saver” to join together in holy matrimony, only to find out they’re at odds over finances once the honeymoon is over.
By Michael J. Searcy
As you navigate through the financial stages of your life as a physician, careful planning not only prepares you for each stage, but also helps you maximize your time in each and fulfill goals along the way. The work-life balance for a busy physician can become lopsided when your priorities are not defined. We often hear physician clients who enter retirement say, “I wish I would have spent more time focusing on the things I love along the way.” Consider these goals and action items that are important during the 5 typical financial stages of life:
By John C. Fales
The temptation to spend funds meant for another purpose can be high when your savings and investments are lumped together. When saving for education, having a “bucket” earmarked specifically for that purpose can get you started on funding educational needs and a 529 Plan may be a powerful tool on your savings journey.
Should Retirees Be Worried?
Market volatility is an historic inevitability; as a long-term investor, you are likely to experience years of volatile or negative portfolio growth. If volatility coincides with your retirement, you might be worried about how it may affect your savings and income.
As the end of 2016 grows closer, we have to say that this has certainly been an eventful year. A long presidential election campaign left many Americans feeling bruised and more divided than ever. And many people were surprised when Donald Trump emerged as the victor. Similar to Brexit’s unexpected win in June, election polling and conventional wisdom proved to be quite wrong once people actually voted.
We found the article, “Tax and Wealth Planning Implications of a Trump Presidency,” from WealthManagement.com to be a thoughtful and informative read. If you are curious about potential tax implications that may result from this new administration, we encourage you to consider the points made in this article which highlights both the proposed Trump Administration Tax Plan and House GOP Tax Plan. We will continue to stay on top of potential tax changes and plan to provide you with updates if and when appropriate.
By Michael J. Searcy
The average age of a first-year practicing physician in the U.S. is 31. This puts young physicians nearly 10 years behind their same-age peers when it comes to their number of earning years. Because young physicians can quickly go from very low pay during school and residency to very high amounts of pay, the first 10 years in practice are critical for building a solid financial foundation.
By Jessica Kmetty
Are female investors all that different from their male counterparts? When it comes to setting goals and making decisions, the differences might not be obvious. A recent study showed the top three financial goals for both women and men were a comfortable retirement, maintaining their current lifestyle and covering healthcare costs. It also showed a high majority of both women and men feel confident in their ability to make successful investment decisions. So why is there so much emphasis placed on the habits of female investors? Let’s explore some reasons:
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