Blog Posts

3 Steps to Updating Your Estate Plan for New Parents

3 Steps to Updating Your Estate Plan for New Parents

by | Feb 27, 2022 |

By Marc C. Shaffer

My wife recently gave birth to our first child, a baby boy. Not only was he an infertility miracle in the making (that’s another financial story for another day!), but his birth also created the need for estate planning updates across the board.

Caring.com’s 2021 Wills and Estate Planning Study showed a promising statistic for young parents: In 2021, 18-34 year-olds are, for the first time, more likely to have a will than 35 – 54 year-olds. Bringing a child into the world means you’re responsible not just for keeping them alive and healthy each day, but for setting them up for success in the event that you’re not around to care for them any time in the future, which is where a strong estate plan comes into play. Here are three main steps to help you get started:

In Celebration of the Future

In Celebration of the Future

by | Jan 11, 2022 |

Dear Friends,

Over the years, we have met with you at kitchen tables, living rooms, and multiple offices across the country as you have shared successes, failures, joys and sorrows with us. More recently, we have also connected via conference calls, FaceTime and computer screen-share video meetings. My, how things have evolved over the 46 years Searcy Financial has been in business! We couldn’t have grown into the company we are today without your faith in our ability to listen, problem-solve and provide sound advice for each of your unique situations. We enjoy every opportunity we get to stand Where You Stand®, learn about your lives, and help you plan to make a difference. We do not take our relationships for granted and we never stop striving to improve to honor our commitment to you and your families. Our future is dedicated to you…

Teaching and Reinforcing Pre-Employment Skills for Special Needs Students

Teaching and Reinforcing Pre-Employment Skills for Special Needs Students

by | Dec 16, 2021 |

By Jessica Searcy Kmetty

My 15-year-old son, Tyler started his first ever job at McDonald’s a couple of weeks ago. It’s been entertaining to hear his anecdotes about how each shift has gone when he comes home. Some of his stories have me thinking about all of the skills he’s been taught that have now become the cornerstone of job readiness for him.

Most of us take pre-employment skills for granted, but for students with disabilities, these skills are often not learned through osmosis, but rather, they have to be explicitly taught.

Is Umbrella Liability Insurance Right for You?

Is Umbrella Liability Insurance Right for You?

by | Dec 16, 2021 |

In 2020, the U.S. had a record 22 million millionaires, up from 20.2 million in the previous year. An increase in personal wealth may bring greater financial flexibility; it may also bring greater liability.

Individuals with high net worth, or those who are perceived to have high net worth, may be more likely to be sued. And personal injury claims can reach into the millions.

Umbrella liability insurance is designed to put an extra layer of protection between your assets and a potential lawsuit. It provides coverage over and above existing automobile and homeowners insurance limits.

Making an Impact with a Charitable Giving Strategy

Making an Impact with a Charitable Giving Strategy

by | Nov 29, 2021 |

By Marc C. Shaffer

Charitable giving can be done at any level, and it takes all types of donors for charitable organizations to survive.

Many donors find themselves with a desire to give, and then make their donations based on their ability to give. But, moving beyond the desire and ability to creating a strategy for giving that is part of your financial plan may help you give more.

According to Giving USA’s 2021 report, approximately $471.44 billion was given to U.S. charities in 2020, which was up 5.1 percent from the previous year. This giving was done in the form of individual donations, bequests, foundations and corporate giving.

Understanding where and how you’re giving can help you visualize your current impact and help while you’re developing a strategy for maximizing these gifts.

Book Review: The Energy Bus by John Gordon

Book Review: The Energy Bus by John Gordon

by | Nov 22, 2021 |

By Jessica Searcy Kmetty

Sometimes we stumble across a book and it turns out to be really good! I’m thankful that I saw a friend was reading The Energy Bus from a post on Facebook and since I love reading, I wanted to check it out.

The Energy Bus is about a manager who became complacent in his complaining and walking aimlessly through life with a bad attitude. His behavior was sabotaging his success in work, life and his marriage and relationship with his kids. His car breaks down one day and needs to be serviced and he finds himself on public transportation with an enthusiastic group of strangers. It’s a how-to guide for fueling your life, work and organization with positive energy.

Parental Rights Change When Children Turn 18

Parental Rights Change When Children Turn 18

by | Oct 27, 2021 |

By Jessica Searcy Kmetty

A child turning 18 is as much a milestone for them as it is for their parents or guardian.

When your child turns 18, they could find themselves in a variety of life stages. They could be heading off to college, starting a job and forging out on their own, or even still be in high school and living in your home.

For parents, no matter where your child finds themselves at this age, you will now be in a position where information about them isn’t available to you. At 18, parents are abruptly cut off from their child’s protected information, such as medical, financial and academic records.

Taking Charge of Your Own Destiny Comes with a Price

Taking Charge of Your Own Destiny Comes with a Price

by | Oct 27, 2021 |

By Marc C. Shaffer

Life has changed and many have changed their mindset along with it. One major point of change has been careers – what they can offer, what’s important to you and what career it will take to live the life you want. During the pandemic, many people realized the desire for greater flexibility in their life and decided to start their own business. Pandemic entrepreneurs.

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