When it comes to your investing strategy, there are ways you can save on what you owe Uncle Sam by regularly investing for your future.
Investing
Ask the Advisor: What Can I Do About Inflation?
By Jeremey Hill CRPC®, RICP®
Jeremey enjoys helping Members develop, improve or complement their financial plan.
According to the government’s Consumer Price Index, inflation is at its highest rate in 30 years. Since last year, October prices have risen by 6.2%. Consumers are feeling the pinch everywhere they turn – from gas prices to groceries to electronics – which means they may have to hold off on buying certain items until things improve.
Solutions to Help You Start and Keep Investing
Investing as part of an overall financial plan is an important way to save for the future and build wealth over time. However, some people worry about their decisions. That’s why many seek professional financial advice to help them develop an action plan based on their specific financial goals, investment time horizons and individual tolerance for risk.
Investing: Tips To Make Decisions With Confidence
You may be new to investing or intimidated by the process, so you may make moves with trepidation, or not invest at all. The truth is, there are simple ways to get started and stay invested.
Ask the Advisor: Understanding Annuities
By Jonathan Young
Since 2008, Jonathan has been passionate about building trusting relationships with Members to help them reach their financial goals. He believes that financial plans should be built with a specific objective in mind, like living comfortably in retirement, saving for college, or buying a house.
Depending on your investment profile, you may want to consider including an annuity as part of your investment portfolio. Annuities can have features that provide a more moderate approach to help build retirement savings. They can also be used to create an income stream you can’t outlive.
Navigating the Stock Market’s Wild Ride
The stock market provided plenty of drama early in 2020, a bear market that began in February, but recovered by April. And in spite of that early major downturn, the S&P 500 Index still enjoyed double-digit performance for the year, resulting in a total return of more than 16.26% as of 12/31/20.1
Understanding Market Losses: Paper Versus Reality
In a volatile stock market, your emotions might let new highs and record lows drive your short-term decisions. The drastic ups and downs can make you feel confident one day and queasy the next. When your investment is reaching new highs, you might feel on top of the world. But, when your investment hits new lows, confidence wanes. The market’s volatile nature might even lead you to jump ship on your savings goals. Unfortunately, this could cost you over the long term.
It’s possible to remain calm during what feels like a financial roller coaster ride if you better understand market declines and the need for a smart investment strategy. When you pair the two, you’re more likely to meet your financial targets.
Tax Tips for Investors
Some years, Congress changes the rules investors face. Other years, the economy necessitates rethinking the best-laid investment plans. In between, investors’ personal situations change, from the arrival of children to the loss of a job.
“Investors face a changing environment,” says Fred H. Thomas, branch manager of Raymond James Financial Associates in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. “They need to maximize their investment dollars.”
Taxpayers trying to build wealth can weather the ups and downs of the tax side of that volatile environment by following a few historically helpful steps. Continue reading
Investing Moves Under a New President
When there’s a change of leadership in the White House, many investors feel compelled to make changes with their investments, too. But making a sudden departure from an investing strategy can often do more harm than good, particularly when it comes to retirement savings. Conventional wisdom dictates sticking with the fundamentals of asset allocation and keeping a long-term perspective.
Ask the Advisor: Should I Contribute to an IRA?
by Andy Han
Since 2005, Andy has been assisting Credit Union Members with their financial services. He’s passionate about educating Members and stresses that it’s critical they are comfortable with their personalized financial plan and understand how it works.
Many Americans are lucky enough to have a retirement savings plan through their employment. But if you don’t have that option, an Individual Retirement Account – or IRA – allows anyone with earned income to save for retirement. And if you’re self-employed, you can use an IRA to create your own retirement plan. In addition, there are special rules that may allow a stay-at-home spouse to contribute to one as well. Continue reading