The Mega Backdoor Roth IRA could be the secret weapon you have yet to use in your retirement saving strategy. If you consider yourself a super saver, looking for alternative ways to save tax efficiently, this could be a great option.
This strategy is of most interest to those maxing out all other tax-efficient savings accounts. Including standard employee 401k contributions, Roth IRA, 529, and HSA. In this episode, you'll see why we call this the secret weapon for super savers, as we breakdown who the Mega Backdoor Roth is for, why you might be interested in it, and how it compares to other IRAs.
In order to take advantage of the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA, you first have to have access to a 401k that allows after-tax contributions. These are contributions on top of your regular $19k allowable contributions to a 401k in 2019. Hence the "Mega" moniker. So if you are already maxing out your 401K, Roth IRA, 529, and HSA contributions then the Mega Backdoor Roth IRA could be a great extra additional savings opportunity. Many get confused as to why it's called a Mega Backdoor Roth IRA when we are talking about your 401k. Good question. The name derives from where the money will be after you complete the consolidation process.
You're now seeing more larger companies and solo 401ks allow for "in-service" distributions. Meaning, you could withdraw portions of your 401k savings, while still employed. The real benefit with this savings strategy, is when you can save the extra after-tax contributions and then roll them to a Roth IRA in the same year. Meaning, you could get a larger amount in to a tax-free savings account to grow for years to come.
If done correctly, the Mega Backdoor Roth can allow you to contribute up to 6X what you can contribute to a regular Roth IRA. With a regular Roth IRA, you can contribute only $6,000 per year in 2019. The Mega Backdoor Roth allows you to contribute up to $37,000 extra each year on top of your normal employee 401k contributions.
Many people don’t know this, but the limit for 401K contributions is $56,000 or $62,000 and for those over 50. Many people assume that the limit is only $19,000. But this $19,000 limit is for pretax contributions. You can actually contribute up to $37,000 more after taxes are withheld (depending on your employer match amount). You can ask your employer if they contribute to after-tax contributions. If you aren’t sure then you should contact your HR department. They may not even know about the Mega Backdoor Roth, but if you communicate with them you could get it started in your company.
If your income for a married couple is over $203,000 then you are ineligible to contribute to a typical Roth IRA. Instead, you can implement the Backdoor Roth IRA strategy. But this strategy has multiple steps to assure it's done correctly which we wrote about in a previous post. To be a good candidate for this strategy, you need to first move existing pretax accounts to an existing 401K, if you have one. The next step is to contribute $6000 to a regular non-deductible IRA. After completing this, you can convert the non-deductible IRA to a Roth IRA. The issue with the Backdoor Roth is that you can only contribute $6,000 per year.
The Mega Backdoor Roth allows you to contribute much more and would be a provision of your 401k account. Essentially, it's the amount above your normal employee contributions ($19k in 2019; or $25k if over age 50) plus your employer match contributions. It’s important to consider all of your options to see if the Mega Backdoor Roth is right for your circumstances.
Download the Pre-Retirement Checklist here to assure you are taking the steps you can now, to retire with confidence.
Stock options can be one of the most lucrative benefits of your job, but they can also be a tax land mine.
Video recap: https://youtu.be/qBovTreFv7E
Our resident tax professional, Will Holt, joins us this week to help you build a framework to consider your company’s stock options.
You’ll learn 3 key strategies you can use to make better decisions for managing your stock option holdings. Including:
If stock options are one of the perks of your job, you don’t want to get bit by the tax dog, so don’t miss this episode.
It is important to understand the type of stock options that you have. There are two primary types of company stock options: incentive and non-qualified. The difference between the two is how they are taxed.
Non-qualified stock options have no real risks until they are exercised since they aren’t worth anything until they are above the strike price, or “in the money.” You can exercise your right to purchase these stock options at the strike price, but they first have to vest over a period of time, typically 4 years. If choosing to exercise and not immediately sell, and the stock price is above the strike price, your shares are in the money. If choosing to sell while in the money, any gain would be taxed at ordinary income rates and come through your paystub in most cases.
Incentive stock options alternatively, offer the opportunity for preferential tax treatment compared to non-qualified stock options. To get preferential long-term capital gains tax treatment, you must be 2 years from the grant date and 1 year after you've exercised. This is known as a qualifying disposition.
The big risk if choosing this strategy is the potential for phantom income to be taxed at AMT rates. Before you reach the 12 month timestamp, the stock price could fall dramatically. If this occurs after the end of the calendar year when the exercise occurred, you would still be responsible for alternative minimum tax due on the 'bargain element," the difference between the strike price and fair market value of the stock when exercised. It's called phantom income, because the income effectively disappears, but the tax remains on gains that are no longer there due to a sinking stock price.
Understanding strategies to unwind your stock options can be complex, which is why it's helpful to work with a professional. A financial professional can help guide you through the challenging decisions that stock options present. Stock options can be a very valuable part of your net worth and you don’t want to make the wrong moves. Taxes and holding periods aren’t the only challenges that you face by owning stock options; the concentration that you might have can pose further risk.
The advantage of having stock options in your benefits package could end up being a sizable risk if not managed properly. You may end up holding a supersized concentration of one stock. Having your net worth tied up in one stock can lead to more risk vs. a diversified portfolio. But many people delay selling because of the potential negative tax impact of selling.
There are ways you can manage these risks. One way is to set target prices to time your exit. You won’t always make the right call, but if you set up a framework to help manage your decisions it can help take the emotions out of the sale. You’ll also want to consider the impact of your stock options on other areas of your financial plan.
There may be times when you are forced to sell before you are ready. This could be a large, infrequent income event that could change your tax situation. One of the best ways to see this impact is running a tax projection for the year.
You may be able to take advantage of tax-loss harvesting to offset some of your tax burden. If you are charitably minded, then another way to reduce your tax liability is to set up a donor-advised fund.
In the end, remember that stock options are a reward for your hard work. You don’t want to ignore them or get caught up in analysis paralysis. You can avoid this by building your decision-making framework or working with a financial professional that can help walk you through your choices.
Compared to 2020, the summer of 2021 has been exciting for most people. Many parts of the country are getting back to normal and there is plenty of fun to be had.
Video recap: https://youtu.be/aCuc4zsi3SE
But with that fun can come extra spending. Now that we are halfway through the year, this is a fantastic time to check in with your finances.
This week, we let Chad and Mike have time off to enjoy their summer fun, so Grayson Blazek joins me to discuss 10 financial tasks for you to complete before summer comes to an end. Don’t get caught unprepared, listen to this episode to hear which key financial areas you should focus your attention on before the end of the year.
Focusing on these ten areas now can set you off on the right foot for the fall. Listen in to learn how you can enhance today and enrich tomorrow.
Are you a super saver? If so, you may feel like you are doing a lot of the right things to save for retirement, but you are not sure where to go next.
Check out our Youtube channel for a short video recap: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCw9vXJ3JyO-pHEcQ1p9O-Lw
In this episode of Financial Symmetry, we explore the different ways to save for retirement outside of your 401K. You’ll learn what each type of account is used for, how you should save in each one, when is the best time to save, and how to withdraw. Let’s explore the various ways that you can save for retirement.
If you have been maxing out your 401K, you are ready to move onto the next step in retirement savings, but with so many different types of accounts to choose from, it can be hard to know which one to choose. All you have to do is learn about them to choose from the different investment vehicles. To make the various types of accounts more memorable, we are equating these investment vehicles to actual vehicles. Listen in to hear how to use the right set of wheels to drive you to retirement.
The health savings account can be compared to a Jeep Wrangler. Like the Jeep Wrangler, the health savings account has a specific purpose, but it also has added benefits. The purpose of a health savings account is to be used for medical expenses, however, it also has a triple tax advantage. You must be enrolled in a high deductible health insurance plan to qualify for a health savings account, but if you can use one, this is a fantastic way to save and invest for future healthcare expenses.
The backdoor Roth is the Rolls Royce of retirement savings. Like the Rolls Royce, the backdoor Roth is unique and specifically designed for high-income earners. A regular Roth IRA maxes out at $6000 per year. With the Roth and the backdoor Roth, you will save so much in taxes that it will offset any fees that you incur.
The mega backdoor Roth can be compared to the Koenigsegg Gemera. Similar to the Koenigsegg Gemera, you may not have heard of the mega backdoor Roth. You’ll need to buckle up to drive both of these vehicles because the mega backdoor Roth will turbocharge your retirement savings. The mega backdoor Roth allows you to contribute an extra $35,000 in a Roth. You won’t see any tax savings upfront, but you will see it in retirement since this is a tax-deferred account. This account will provide a huge impact on your long-term saving for retirement. If you want to take your savings to the next level, check out the mega backdoor Roth.
Many people don’t even consider this account a retirement savings account, but like the trusty Honda Accord, a common brokerage account can be just as dependable. You can use a brokerage account like a super-charged savings account. Yes, there are more tax-efficient accounts, but the benefit of a brokerage account is that there are no restrictions which gives you more flexibility. If you feel restricted by the other retirement accounts, you may want to consider saving for retirement in a brokerage account.
You won’t want to miss our last comparison, the DeLorean. Listen in to hear which type of account we compared to this unique car.
Which investment vehicle sounds right for you?
Have you ever been on your way to an epic summer road trip and then all of a sudden you come upon a roadblock? That can ruin the excitement you feel for the upcoming trip. This can happen in retirement as well. In retirement, you may confront roadblocks on your journey and if you don’t know how to maneuver around them it can leave you feeling stuck.
On this episode of Financial Symmetry, Allison Berger joins me to discuss 3 not so obvious retirement roadblocks that you may encounter along your retirement journey. We want to be your GPS so that if you experience them you can find your way around them without too much hassle.
Your first years of retirement are so important when it comes to investment returns. Sequence of return risk is when you have several years of bad returns at the beginning of retirement when you are starting to withdraw your money. There is no way to control your market returns, but there are ways to mitigate this risk.
To combat sequence of return risk, you’ll need to maintain a balanced portfolio the way you maintain a balanced diet. Use the financial food groups! In retirement, you can no longer subsist solely on financial junk food (stocks). You’ll want to make sure that you have a healthy serving of vegetables (bonds and cash) thrown into the mix.
After maintaining a growth mindset in the accumulation stage of life by using mainly stocks, you may be hesitant to reduce your risk load in retirement. However, having a balanced portfolio can ensure that you won’t be forced to sell when prices are down.
You want to ensure that your money will be worth something in retirement, but inflation reduces purchasing power over time. We can visualize how inflation works by thinking about what the price of milk was 20 years ago. Inflation not only impacts the prices of goods but also impacts your retirement income. Even with the cost of living adjustments, your Social Security may not have the same buying power in 20 years.
Inflation is also known as the silent assassin. It is most dangerous for those who are overly cautious. To fight inflation you’ll need to make sure that there is some growth in your portfolio. You’ll need to take on some risk.
It is important to understand how different events can impact your taxes. The best way to combat unforeseen tax bombs is through multi-year tax planning. Most people are used to tax planning one year at a time, but retirement offers an opportunity to plan ahead. You can reduce your lifetime tax burden by thoughtful planning.
If you put together a financial plan for retirement you’ll have a road map for the years ahead. In retirement, you’ll want to become flexible and look for opportunities. This is part of what we do with our clients. If you are interested in using us as your GPS to help you through those retirement roadblocks then check out our website and click Learn More.
Have you been on the fence about hiring a financial advisor? This indecisiveness can cost you. This episode will help you decide whether hiring a financial advisor is right for you. You’ll learn the 5 C’s that you can expect when hiring a financial advisor. Press play to find out what you should expect from your financial advisor.
Video Recap: https://youtu.be/zuTdjdDkqUI
Have you been considering hiring a financial advisor? If so, then you may be seeking assistance in one of several areas.
Competence - You are looking for someone who knows more than you and is an expert in their field.
Coaching - You may know quite a bit, but knowing and doing are 2 different things. A financial advisor can be like a personal trainer and give you the push you need to get things done.
Convenience -A financial advisor can do what you don’t have time for.
Continuity - You may want someone to help you coordinate with others for family or legacy planning.
Do any of these reasons seem familiar to you? Keep listening to hear what a financial planner can do to help you.
Collaboration - Your financial advisor will co-create a plan that serves you and helps you reach your financial goals. This should be a collaborative process between the two of you. In your first meeting, you can expect to be asked a lot of questions so that they can learn about you and your goals. You want your financial advisor to lead with a planning focused approach. If you receive a sales pitch instead, this should raise a red flag.
Credentials - Many people are surprised to learn that you don’t have to have any qualifications to be a financial advisor. However, you may see a bit of an alphabet soup after a financial advisor’s name. It is important to understand what these letters mean. Are they real credentials or simply sales designations? Look for the gold standard CFP certification. CFA and CPA are two other certifications that may be relevant to your situation.
Communication - You can expect regular communication from your financial advisor. They may set up a communication calendar with you to help you set expectations in communication. This regular communication will help you stay updated. Your advisor may also reach out to discuss tax opportunities, set goals, and to review progress. Listen in to hear what red flags you should look out for in your advisor communications.
Compounding value - Are you better off after you pay your advisor than you would have been otherwise? This can be hard to quantify and may take a bit of introspection. Look at your return on life as well as the quantitative parts. Consider your investment returns, rebalancing, and tax deferral. If you think that your advisor is providing a free service then make sure to look for the hidden costs in your portfolio. A fee-only financial advisor discloses their costs upfront so that there are no surprises. If you are looking for a fee-only financial advisor you can find out more about our services at FinancialSymmetry.com.
The American Rescue Plan was recently passed, but do you know all the changes it will bring? You probably already know about the stimulus checks, but you may not know how it could affect your taxes and healthcare. This latest economic stimulus package could mean big things for your tax planning.
Video recap here: https://youtu.be/Vq8Y2CFYS6E
Since the American Rescue Plan has a heavy tax focus, I invited tax planning extraordinaire, Grayson Blazek, to brief us all on the risks and opportunities that we should be looking out for with the newest piece of legislation. He simplifies this complex topic down to 5 key areas. If you are looking for tax planning opportunities or want to know the risks to look out for, then make sure to tune into Grayson Blazek’s breakdown of the American Rescue Plan.
The third round of stimulus checks may be the most widely known part of the American Rescue Plan. These checks are capped at $1400 per person. Although the income range of those who qualify has narrowed, many people who were not previously eligible for stimulus checks will be eligible for round 3.
The age range for dependents has been expanded to those in college and older high school students, whereas with the previous rounds of stimulus, dependents were limited to ages 16 and under. Listen in to find out how the income bracket for stimulus checks has changed and learn how you could use this stimulus package as an opportunity for careful tax planning.
If you were laid off or terminated like many others last year, your company must continue to offer health insurance through COBRA. The drawback with COBRA is that the full cost of the insurance premium was placed solely on the participant without the employer absorbing a share. The American Rescue Plan will now fully subsidize the premiums of COBRA until September of 2021. This means that if you are on COBRA your premiums will be zero.
That wasn’t the only change in health insurance premiums through the ARP. Find out how the thresholds of the Affordable Care Act have changed with the bill as well. Press play to hear how.
Most people don’t pay attention to their taxes until the time comes for them to file. But maybe after listening to this episode you may want to start getting in front of your taxes and plan the year ahead rather than focus on the previous year.
If you have children, then this year is an especially good time to consider tax planning. You’ll want to take advantage of the expanded tax credit that went from $2000 to $3000 and $3600 for children under 6 years old. In addition to the child tax credit, the child dependent care tax credit was expanded to max out at $8000 per child.
Lastly, the American Rescue Plan has extended state and federal benefits to unemployment compensation until September 6. Lawmakers also chose to make unemployment compensation tax-free for 2020.
Listen in to hear all the details so that you can develop a plan to utilize these changes in your tax planning efforts. This may be a good year for you to consult a CPA to help you file your taxes.
Estate planning is one of the most overlooked and procrastinated upon areas of financial planning.
Video recap: https://youtu.be/NB2S1FWWH2s
While your legacy is important, it doesn’t generally take the front seat of your thoughts or your financial plan. There’s more to legacy planning than just having a will, but how much more depends on which stage of life you’re in. Find out what you should be doing to plan your legacy whether you’re in your 30s, 40s, 50s, or 60s by listening to this episode of Financial Symmetry.
When you’re in your 20s and 30s legacy planning starts with creating a will. A will gives you a good foundation and will get you thinking about electing your beneficiaries. You’ll also want to select your beneficiaries on your investment accounts.
Once you get married and start having children, then it’s important to keep your plans updated. It’s also a good time to get term life insurance. Make sure to revisit your will and the beneficiaries on your investment accounts periodically or with major life changes like a move or a new baby.
When you’re in your 40s you probably have more accounts and higher balances than you did in your 30s. Have you kept up with all of your retirement accounts from previous employers? The key to staying on the right track is to stay organized. Make sure to check in on your beneficiaries and estate documents from time to time.
If you are in your 50s and 60s you may be in the sandwich generation. This means you may have elderly parents and your own kids embarking on adulthood. This is an age when many really start thinking about their own legacy. It’s a good time to start thinking of Roth conversions. You can start tax planning not just for yourself but for your entire family. Think about how you can pass on your assets with the most after-tax value.
If you receive an inheritance there are different things to consider depending on your age and financial situation. You may want to consider paying off loans, buying a house, or even taking a mini-retirement. Having a financial plan in place can give you the confidence to do exactly what you want with those funds.
Estate planning is usually the last item on your financial planning list of things to do and it often takes another person to spur you on. A professional like an attorney or a financial planner often help guide you through this process. Let us know if you would like some help getting your estate planning in order. Plan today to make the most out of your retirement.
Have you checked out the new federal tax forms? You probably don’t want to wait until the last minute to prepare your taxes this year. With the new tax code here you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to get familiar with the new federal tax forms. But before you get started you need to arm yourself with as much information as you can about the new tax code. That’s why today we brought our very own tax extraordinaire, Grayson Blazek to share his extensive knowledge of the new federal tax forms. Listen to this episode as Grayson helps us understand what the new tax forms look like, what’s changed, how to save and be more efficient on taxes, and what planning opportunities there are to prepare for next year.
Well, that time of year is here again, everyone’s favorite season: tax season! You may have heard that there are many new changes this year to the 1040. The idea behind the new federal tax form is to simplify the tax filing process. The new 1040 is touted as a postcard, while not exactly postcard sized, it is down from 79 lines to 23. Although there are only 23 lines on the new tax form there are several addendums which utilize a building block approach. There might be a touch of confusion for the first few years, but the new tax forms should be pretty easy to get used to. Listen as Grayson explains the new federal tax forms and takes us on a tour of the new 1040.
Obviously, the changes in the tax code are not only in the format. There are several other changes made as well. They eliminated personal exemptions which were $4500 per taxpayer on the 2017 return as well as dependents. The child tax credit used to be $1000 per child but has been increased to $2000 per child. The income threshold has been increased. There has also been a substantial change to standard and itemized deductions. And it is estimated that the number of people that will itemize their deductions will lower from 20% to 5%. Although there are fewer deductions your overall tax burden may be similar. Listen to this episode to hear what else has changed with the new tax code.
When preparing your taxes each year you have the opportunity to reflect on what you could have done to decrease your overall tax burden and what you can do in the future to ease your tax burden. Consider whether you should be taking advantage of your retirement savings accounts or health savings accounts. You can also think about your deductions and how efficiently you can space your charitable deductions. Decide whether you could donate every other year to get past the new threshold for itemized deductions. A donor-advised fund is a great tool to use when planning for your taxes. There are many other planning opportunities to consider so listen in to discover how you can begin planning next year’s taxes.
What are the habits of successful investors? You may think that there are big differences between successful and unsuccessful investors. In the book Atomic Habits, by James Clear, he identifies the small habits that lead to success in life, these habits apply to investors just like anyone else. We all have intentions of doing the right thing, but there is a big gap between intention and action. Only about half of our intentions turn into actions. Join us on this episode to find out what sets successful investors apart from the rest of us.
See the Full Show Notes Here:
https://www.financialsymmetry.com/6-habits-of-successful-investors-ep-77/
Making small changes can really make the difference in your life. When you bridge the gap between your intentions and actions you begin to change your habits and start on a path to success. Implementing these strategies can help to make you a better investor and they can be applied to many other areas of your life as well. Listen to this episode of Financial Symmetry to hear how you can create successful habits as an investor and these can bleed over to other areas of your life.
Welcome to Financial Symmetry, the podcast to help you discover financial opportunities that you may be missing as well as to warn you about many financial mistakes that you can make. We are here to help you improve your life through finances. Finances are so complicated which is why we are here to help you answer questions about your daily financial life. We are here to give helpful hints and education rather than financial advice. On this episode, we discuss our top 4 most popular podcasts of 2018. Listen to this episode to hear what our top 4 most popular podcasts were, as well as many of our favorite podcasts.
Our 4th most popular podcast aired relatively recently and we discussed why you should bother diversifying your portfolio with international stocks. On that episode, we highlighted why the U.S. has done so well and why you would want to have a mediocre portfolio by mixing it up with international stocks. We discussed the risks of investing internationally as well as our tendency toward home country bias. Episode 67 discussed the long-term benefits and how they can shine through our short-sighted viewpoints. Have you listened to the Why Bother Diversifying episode?
Episode 52 was the 3rd most popular podcast of 2018. The markets had just dropped when this one aired which makes everyone nervous. It’s important to remember that the markets frequently fluctuate. We often forget the rough times in the financial world which is why it is so important to have an investment plan. An investment plan isn’t there for the easy times when all is well, it’s there to help you through the hard times. That episode mentioned how to get through the emotional part of investing. We love to give you a glimpse behind the curtain so to speak so that you can see our own details and strategy that we use here at Financial Symmetry. Do you have a financial plan in place?
I’m glad this was the 2nd most popular episode in 2018. It discussed how we often act against our own best judgment. We tend to place more value in small rewards now rather than larger rewards in the future. This episode included easy steps that anyone can implement to improve their financial situation. We talked about small wins, automation, accountability, and how to have a bigger awareness of spending. Check out episode 60 to find out how to improve your financial decisions.
We were surprised by the number one episode of 2018. Episode 61 was our most downloaded episode. This one aired in June and discussed how to plan a more enjoyable vacation. We love encouraging experiences over things. Experiences create lasting memories and things are easily forgotten. Check out episode 61 if you are planning your next vacation. Find out which episode didn’t make it into the final 4 as well as which podcasts we really enjoy listening to on this episode of Financial Symmetry.
If you've paid any attention to financial news recently, then you didn't have to look far, as stock market noise was at a peak. Media headlines were filled with phrases like: epic turmoil, getting crushed and no place to hide.
Emotionally charged words that make you feel like you need to do something to prevent losing more of your nest egg. But following our instincts when investing, can lead to dangerous outcomes.
In times like this, we need a strategy to give us proper perspective. On this episode of the Financial Symmetry podcast, we’ll discuss why market fluctuations are incredibly normal and provide techniques to help you cope with short-term volatility and keep your focus on long-term goals instead. If you’re getting nervous about the direction the market is taking, you’ll want to listen for steps to confront the inevitable next occurrence.
When listening to financial news it's important to remember that the media’s ultimate job is to sell advertisements. It's not their job to help you see the long-term picture or help you reach your financial goals. Easier said than done when markets around the world experience a 10-15% drops.
But if we back up, history provides a different perspective. Market volatility is reliably normal, but it can still make you feel nervous. To truly understand the ups and downs, take a look at the chart below from the Capital Group. There have been 12 full-blown bear markets since 1945. A 5% or more decline in the market typically occurs 3 times a year. And a 20% drop usually occurs about every 4 years. The past 10 years have actually been the anomaly. It is important to remember that a bear market isn’t a bad thing.
It’s actually a great time to reassess your investment plan and evaluate your risk tolerance.
With breaking news coming at us as quick as we want it with social media, it's even harder to block out the noise. Whether tweets or 24 hour cable news, today's financial news is near immediate compared to 30 years ago when you may not hear it until the next day.
In Jason Zweig's book, Your Money and Your Brain, he provides some powerful questions to prevent your feelings from overwhelming the facts. Instead of listening and reacting to the financial news du jour, stop to pause and think about if anything else has changed in your financial picture, other than price of your investment.
To successfully navigate a bear market, you have a long-term strategy in place. Cliche? Sure, but considering where you are in life now is instructive in developing your treatment plan for market short-term sickness.
If you're in your 20’s and 30’s don’t worry, there is still plenty of time. Investment choices still matter at these ages, but not nearly as much as your actual savings amounts. Choose and stick with an investment plan so you can steadily take advantage of the drop in stock prices, a fantastic long-term sale.
If in your 50's and 60's, it's much more important to focus on your overall investment strategy. How does your asset allocation match your retirement timeline? For many in this walk of life, investment returns will be larger than your annual savings amounts. You'll also be facing the sequence of return risk which can eat a big portion of your retirement without a strategy.
Professional help at this point, can help you respond accordingly to market events and more importantly, act as an accountability partner. Having a buffer between your emotions and the markets may be the most important financial decision you can make.
It's easy to stick with investments that are leaving all other assets in the dust. In fact, logic tells us because they're performing so well, we should buy more of it. While you're at it, shouldn't you go ahead and dump the lousy performers in your portfolio? These emotions are what makes investing so difficult. Additionally, when you diversify your investments, mediocrity is inevitable. Given the tear U.S. Stocks have been on, it's a good time to talk through the risks and benefits of diversifying away from areas that have been the top performers. Despite how cliche it's become at this point, the phrase "past performance is no guarantee of future results" is still a truth. Memories of previous bubbles seem like the distant past. Some of us don't want to believe and others don't want to miss out on gains any longer. Whatever the reason, it's inherently difficult to diversify away from seemingly never-ending profits. So in this episode, we discuss the answer to why you even want to bother diversifying with international and emerging market stocks and what the results could be going forward.
The U.S. stock market has enjoyed outstanding results over the past ten years, earning around 10.7% per year (S&P 500 with dividends through August 2018). With numbers that consistent, it's hard to find a reason to diversify with international equities when U.S. stocks are on such a hot streak. But we live in an interconnected world, our coffee, cars, electronics, are all created across the globe. While US stocks represent just 50% of global market values, 70-75% of Americans invest solely in U.S. stocks, influenced by home country bias which is common throughout the world. Furthermore, out of the last 20 calendar years through 2016, no country had the best-performing equity market for more than two years. As Howard Marks once said, "There’s little I’m certain of, but these things are true: cycles always prevail eventually."
Having diversified investments means there's always something you'll despise in your portfolio. This amplifies the fear of missing out on a high flying tech performer. Especially the past 10 years, where U.S. stocks outpaced foreign and emerging stocks by over 6% per year during that period, which is why it's a challenge to remember the Lost Decade from the 10 years prior (2000-2009). Investing often makes us shortsighted. Creating pressure that tempts us to pick winners when markets aren't going our way. Even if diversification feels mediocre, it increases the reliability of longer-term outcomes. Allowing you to have winners in all types of market cycles.
We highlight 4 major risks when dealing with international investments in this episode. Tariffs and trade wars have dominated the news cycles of late, but so far it's more talk than action. Equity markets often react to short-term noise based on overblown fears and exuberant hopes. Currency fluctuations will affect the value of your foreign returns as well. A rising dollar against other currencies will hurt foreign stocks. We also discuss economic and geopolitical risks in many areas of the world. Yes, there's always a reason to avoid investing in poorly performing areas, but valuations should be considered. We mention and link an article below discussing the historically high correlation of valuation metrics with 10 year future returns. So despite the risks, this research raises some interesting questions about the prospects for international and emerging stocks going forward. But this requires discipline and diversification. The type of discipline that you could question for years. Likely the same way most investors were questioning U.S. stocks prospects in 2009. We've all seen how that's turned out.
On this episode of Financial Symmetry, Chad and Mike revisit a few previous episodes to cover some important financial questions that frequently come up. Taken from episode 6 is the question: Do I need a financial plan? With this question comes further questions. You’ll want to listen in to hear what the answers are. Episode 11 asks the question: What little things can you do to improve your financial life? There are so many little things you can do to improve your finances, listen to this episode to hear what they are. The last question is taken from episode 13. How will you pay for your child’s college? You won’t want to miss this episode to discover the answers to these financial questions.
Many people, including our clients, wonder if they really need a financial plan. Is it worth your time and money to create a financial plan? People that have a financial plan discover more opportunities to save money which is a great way to make the plan pay for itself and then some! Compare a financial plan to a doctor’s checkup. Revisiting your planner and your financial plan each year is a great way to stay on track and focused on your financial goals. A financial plan is not just for retirement, it is something you should begin when you start your career. Listen to this episode to hear why you wouldn’t want to live your life without a financial plan.
Improving your finances doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to let go of all little luxuries you have become accustomed to. There are actually quite a few things that you can implement now that are relatively painless. The most challenging part of implementing these action steps are simply setting them up. One simple way you can improve your financial future is to set up an automatic monthly deposit into your investment account. This used to be something difficult, but with the advent of mobile banking, it can literally be done with the push of a few buttons on your phone. Listen to this episode to hear simple steps you can take to improve your finances.
Another way people to improve your financial situation is to make the most of your 401K. Some people don’t even have this set up to take advantage of their employer match. They are leaving a 100% return on the table! Make sure that your 401k is set up to deposit the most that you can each month. When setting up your 401K it is important to diversify. Many people are afraid to do anything with their 401K account and simply leave it all in cash or employer stocks. They are missing out on a great way to grow their money. Listen to this episode to hear how important it is to set up your 401K properly so that you can get the most out of your retirement savings.
Paying for college can seem like such a daunting task. A state university education can cost $100K and a private university can be more than double that. There are a few things you can do right now to help you figure out how to pay for your children’s education. There are many different ways to pay for college, but the important thing is to have a strategy. It is important to choose the right school for your child, one that has the right fit. By knowing what you can afford this can be a great way to limit your child’s choices and help you choose the best fit. It is important to remember not to focus on the sticker price of the school because there are many ways to reduce the costs of tuition. Listen to this episode to hear some great ways to create a strategy for paying for college.
All of us have a subconscious financial bucket list of things we want to accomplish. After having meetings with thousands of clients collectively over the years, we have a pretty good sample size of the biggest checklist items people would include on their financial to-do list. Now it’s Chad’s turn to share reflections on his 40th birthday. While Mike looked back highlighting lessons he’d learned, Chad looks forward describing the biggest bucket list items people hope to accomplish within their personal finances. Everyone has different things that they worry about or financial goals they are trying to achieve. On this episode, we explore what really gets people excited about financial planning.
Most people have entertained thoughts about retiring early. It is a dream for most when starting out. The retire early movement is about having the financial freedom to spend your time as you choose. To retire early you need to understand what you spend, what you save, and how your investment portfolio should be allocated as a result. But many people don’t realize what they’re spending. Important points when considering an early retirement is finding the best way to withdraw your money from a tax perspective, having a disciplined investment strategy, and planning how to best pay for health insurance. Having a plan for these will help you decide if you can retire early.
How do you balance delaying gratification and celebrating achievements? Many people pencil in becoming a millionaire near the top of their bucket list. Despite being an arbitrary number, it’s one that is concrete and still a significant symbol of consistent savings over a working career. If you’ve ever read The Millionaire Next Door, you know the simplest way to reach this goal is to live below your means. By delaying gratification you can invest more in your future. Sometimes you may miss opportunities but your rewards will come later. Try to sustain your momentum by celebrating milestones along the way. According to the book, The Power of Moments, elevating smaller milestones on the journey can speed up your progress.
Not sure the Bucket List would exist if it weren’t for vacations. Thinking, planning, and sharing the trips we hope to take gives color to financial planning in unforgettable ways. Are you able to spend whatever you want on a vacation without guilt or worry? Steward Butterfield, the creator of Flickr and Slack, shared a great definition of levels of wealth related to vacations in a recent episode of the podcast How I Built This. Many clients rely on a financial advisor to give an objective third-party view of how much they should spend on a vacations. When talking through this with clients, we set up a customized yearly cash-flow plan that helps you see the longer-term effects of your vacation dreams. As we discussed in previous episodes, lasting experiences hold great value of their own, especially when planned for appropriately.
Searching for security creates a wave of emotions when dealing with money. For many, this manifests in the desire to pay off their mortgage. Many feel that true financial independence can only come from living completely debt free. But before you write that check to pay off the mortgage you may want to think twice. Is there value in having a mortgage? Could it be a good financial move to keep a mortgage even if you can pay it off? You have liquidity and equity even if you do carry a mortgage. Paying off a mortgage is an important level of security for many. If you are going to pay it off, you need to think first where the money will come from.
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Do you ever feel financial advisors speaks a different language? Many clients feel their advisors throw around financial terminology that creates more confusion than clarity. Financial planners use mnemonics and acronyms since they are a great way to remember things. But the shorthand can be confusing to those that are unfamiliar with them. According to Investopedia, there are around 1900 financial acronyms, and more being created daily. Join us on this episode as we decode 10 of the most common to give you a head start in the next meeting with your advisor.
FAANG and FOMO go hand in hand. FAANG refers to the hot tech stocks like Apple, Netflix, and Google. This acronym is reminiscent of the late 90's tech stock boom when there were only 5 or 6 tech stocks that were sustaining the entire market. FOMO (the fear of missing out) leaves you feeling like you are getting left behind if a decent portion of your portfolio is not invested in these stocks. This is where it's important to recognize how your emotions are influencing your investing decisions. History shows us the slippery slope letting your emotions drive your investing can be.
BPS is how a mutual fund expense ratio or financial advisor's fee is often quoted. BPS simply stands for Basis Points, the number of decimals after a whole number. For example, 50 BPS is 0.50%. Understanding the total annual cost of your investing strategies can help you more accurately compare the value you are getting from your investment strategy or financial planning relationship.
In the third slot is the CAPE ratio. This is an acronym for the Cyclically Adjusted Price Earnings ratio, a popular measure to help judge whether the stock market is cheap or expensive according to historical averages. A highly correlated long-term indicator of future returns, the CAPE ratio continues to be a good measure for understanding the stage of the market cycle.
FIRE is a newer movement, developing more over the last 10-15 years. It stands for Financially Independent, Retire Early. Many people are looking for the flexibility to work less or retire earlier in life. Folks that attempt to drastically limit spending or save considerably may be trying to achieve FIRE. Given the gravity of these decisions and the length of low to little expected income, it's most important to understand the risks. This is where evaluating your full financial picture with annual cash flow comparisons and tax planning opportunities can add extra benefits at the margins.
Does your financial advisor speak like this? Do you just nod your head and play along? Understanding these terms could shave your tax burden considerably if used correctly. QCD, DAF, and RMD are important acronyms for the charitably inclined which can also lower your annual tax burdens. RMD is the Required Minimum Distribution that you are required to take at age 70 ½ each year. QCD is the Qualified Charitable Distribution if you are over the age of 70 ½ which sends a percentage of the RMD directly to charity, therefore, reducing your taxable income.
Listen to this episode to hear all 10 financial acronyms decoded (plus a few bonus ones) to be fully engaged at the next meeting with your financial advisor.
You have been hearing about Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies for the past few years now. Nothing attracts the attention of the public like the possibility of missing out on the latest craze. The fear of missing out or “FOMO” can be extremely powerful. So you may be wondering whether Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency might be worthwhile to invest in. Like anything money related, it is important to understand what you are getting yourself and your money invested in. Listen to this episode to learn more about what Bitcoin is, the risks involved, and how cryptocurrencies work.
Bitcoin is a worldwide cryptocurrency and digital payment system. It was invented in 2009 by a person or group of people named Satoshi Nakamoto, and it is still unknown who exactly the founder was. There are now more than 1500 cryptocurrencies in the virtual world today. Cryptocurrencies are different than regular currency because there is no bank or government backing them. Cryptocurrencies are created by mining. Like gold, cryptocurrencies have a limited supply which is where their value comes from. Listen to this episode to learn more about Bitcoin and how cryptocurrencies work.
There are many risks to buying Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies including, regulatory, security, insurance, fraud, security, and market risks. The government can essentially outlaw cryptocurrencies if it so chooses. There is a security risk in protecting your purse or online wallet. Someone can hack into your wallet and steal your coins. Your money at the bank is insured by the FDIC, but cryptocurrencies are not. So if someone does steal your coins you will not be insured. How do you know that you are buying real Bitcoin? The risk of fraud when buying cryptocurrencies is real. The price has see-sawed up and down dramatically over the past 8 years so along with all the other risks, there are substantial market risks. Listen to this episode to become informed on all the risks associated with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies
Investments are something you can estimate the expected returns of by reading up on the background of the stock or bond. By researching the growth rate and fundamental value of an investment you can get an idea of what you may think the future return will be. The value of Bitcoin is dependent upon what someone else is willing to pay you and the history of it is all over the map. For this reason, we feel that cryptocurrencies are a speculation rather than an investment. Listen to this episode to hear why we feel that cryptocurrencies are not something you should invest a significant amount of money in and why you should not try to use Bitcoin to fund your retirement.
Although cryptocurrencies are tumultuous and it can be difficult to see what their future may bring, blockchain technology may have a big role to play in the future. Bitcoin is distributed by a blockchain which is a publicly distributed ledger. The technology of blockchain may completely change over time. The future of blockchain may include payment processing, money transfers, digital voting, and real estate or title transactions. Cryptocurrencies may not be the best investment but they have opened a new frontier in digital money and accounting. Listen to this episode to hear why blockchain technology could be so important to the future of money.
Next to the weather, vacation questions are in the small talk hall of fame. Each year, as summer approaches, more time is spent thinking, talking and planning for the perfect summer getaway. For most of us, the joy of some relaxation can make us all daydream. After all, most people choose to spend more time planning their vacations than their finances.
This makes sense because the greatest amount of happiness around vacations, peaks in the anticipation period. Looking forward to your travels boosts the pleasure factor positioning you for the highest return on that vacation.
With summer now in full swing, we love hearing about the tricks and tactics of how people are planning their vacations. In this episode, we've compiled 5 steps that draw parallels between your vacations and your financial planning. Taking these steps should deliver more enjoyable vacations.
Did you know that your natural human behavior could be affecting your finances in a negative way? Behaviors may seem like small decisions but they build up over time. Human behavior makes a big difference in whether you are able to reach your financial goals. On this episode, Mike and I explore how human behavior impacts your financial choices. We have discovered 5 secrets to improve the way you go about making financial decisions. Are you looking for new ways to improve your finances? If so, then listen to this episode to hear 5 ways to improve your financial decisions.
According to the book Thinking Fast and Slow, your brain has two systems. One system is automated, and the other is for deeper thought. What does this have to do with your finances, you ask? If you have ever tried to make a financial choice you could get to the point of analysis paralysis with all the options. One way to make decisions easier is by limiting choices. You can get overloaded by having too many choices. If you set things up to automatically happen, like an automatic withdrawal to savings or an IRA this can really help ease your financial decisions. Listen to this episode to hear five great tips to modify your behavior to positively impact your finances.
This seems so easy. Of course, you are aware of how you spend your money. But are you really? Studies have shown that simply having an expense tracking app on your phone makes you more conscious of the way that you spend money. Whether you compare your receipts to your budget each month, track your spending with an app, or simply take a moment to process what you just spent on that ice cream, take time to be aware of your financial choices. To hear all five tips on how you can change your behavior to improve your financial decisions listen to episode sixty of Financial Symmetry.
The power of momentum can get you over big financial hurdles. It can seem that some financial goals are completely unattainable when you are just starting out. This can feel incredibly frustrating and make some people give up hope of attaining their goals. Rather than focusing on the big picture, focus your energy on achieving small goals. If you can get some small wins under your belt this can help you achieve the momentum you need to achieve your financial goals. Listen to his episode to hear how you can improve your behaviors to make better financial decisions.
There is power in accountability. This may be the most powerful tool that we mention on this episode. It is important to have a human accountability partner rather than a technological one. If you rely on an app to try and help you with accountability, you could simply turn it off. A human is harder to ignore. Having a friend or financial counselor can help you achieve your goals. When you have an accountability partner to help you with your financial decisions this could be the most effective way to reach your goals. Listen to this episode to hear how having an accountability partner could help you with your financial decisions.
Charitable giving fills a need in our society and betters it as a whole. And until recently, donating to nonprofits helped people receive attractive deductions on their tax bills. With the recent tax law change, it’s important to understand how your charitable contributions will affect your next tax return. We want to make sure that you continue to get the biggest tax benefit possible when giving to your favorite charities. So in this episode, we discuss a strategy to help you find the best tax solutions for your charitable gifting going forward.
The newest update to the tax law could limit charitable giving due to the increase in the standard deduction. For many, it may be challenging to find ways receive a similar tax benefits for giving they were already doing. But there are solutions out there. The first is to do nothing. With the 2018 tax law changes, most will no longer receive the same benefit for giving to their favorite non-profits. Your second option is to give the same amount to your favorite charities and lump your contributions so that you give a larger amount every other year rather than annually. This will allow a bigger tax benefit biannually this way. The downside to gifting directly to the charity is the disruption in annual cash flow for their regular operations. Nonprofits often rely on yearly contributions to stay afloat and this strategy could lead to financial problems for the charity.
A donor-advised fund may be one of the best tax solutions for the newest tax law changes. You can set up a donor-advised fund with Fidelity, Vanguard, or Charles Schwab. This is an account where you can contribute the same amount that you usually do each year and realize the biggest tax savings over a period of time. This way the charity can still receive the same amount that you would normally give within the same timeframe. You can then distribute smaller amounts throughout the year to smooth your charitable contributions, so operations of the charity are not affected. A Donor-Advised fund can receive many kinds of capital and turn your investment into cash for your favorite nonprofits to use.
It is best to start planning your tax year in November. With a donor-advised fund, you can give to your favorite nonprofit in many different ways, whether it be stocks, private equity, hedge fund interest, real estate, or cash. Your donor-advised fund will then give your favorite charity cash that they can use. You are able to set up your charitable donation to be gifted whenever you choose, whether it is weekly, monthly, quarterly, or yearly. Using a donor-advised fund is a great long-term tax strategy to use as part of the changing laws’ tax solutions.
Heather Gudac and Haley Modlin join Mike and me on this episode of the Financial Symmetry podcast to discuss how to become a financially successful millennial. We have had targeted advice toward other age groups in the past, and now we’re excited to find ways to help out the younger generation. Heather and Haley have worked hard to put together a fantastic list of five money tips for millennials to help them become financially savvy. Be sure to listen to this episode to hear excellent ideas to get you or your favorite millennial on the road to financial success!
This is perhaps the most important of the money tips for millennials. It is so important to come up with a plan, not just for now but for the future as well. Planning can help you discover how to pay off student loans, how and where to save money, and how to make a budget. The sooner you can start making smart financial decisions the better off you will be later on in life. Remember you don’t have to have money to have a plan. Having a financial plan will help you to save efficiently. As you take on more responsibilities in your career and in your life, be sure to periodically adjust your financial plan to stay on track. To hear more about creating a financial plan to help you succeed financially, listen to episode 58 of Financial Symmetry.
When you are just starting out in life all kinds of people want to give you financial advice. This is usually well-meaning advice from people that care, but it may not be the best advice for your life. Some things to consider are: have they done this themselves, and are they people you really want to be taking advice from. Sometimes people may give you advice that was applicable twenty years ago but may no longer apply today. Listen to this episode of Financial Symmetry to hear important money tips for millennials to get a head start on a strong financial future.
Joint bank accounts can be a touchy issue for some people, especially millennials. The most important thing to remember when you are getting married or embarking on a serious relationship is not to keep financial secrets. Many relationships fail due to finances, so money should be an ongoing conversation. Whether or not you have equal incomes your money is a joint effort and what you do with it now affects both of you and your future. We discuss many of the available options when joining money, so be sure to listen to this episode to hear fantastic money tips for millennials.
What are your financial values? Millennials think differently and spend their money differently than previous generations. Studies have shown that 75% of millennials would prefer to have a great experience rather than buy goods. Knowing how you prefer to spend your money will help you plan your budget. Make sure that you are getting the most from your dollars by planning how you spend them. Use this episode to help you learn how to plan your budget, listen to Heather and Haley as they give us the top money tips for millennials.
Do you know what the number one most avoided financial subject is? On this episode of The Financial Symmetry Podcast, we are diving deep into estate planning where you'll learn why it is so avoided and why you really shouldn't avoid it. Cameron Hendricks joins us on the show today to help us navigate this touchy subject. Estate planning is easy to forget to do and so many people end up putting it off so that it is actually the most avoided subject when it comes to financial planning. If you don’t have a proper estate plan you need to be sure to listen to this episode as Cameron lays out many of the possibilities that could happen if you have no will in place.
What is the purpose of an estate plan? The purpose is to look out for your family and loved ones. You want to make sure that the people you want to receive your inheritance actually receive it. This also simplifies matters for your beneficiaries. It reduces family conflicts and confusion during an already emotional time. Because of this emotional roller coaster, planning your estate can be very challenging, but it's arguably one of the most expensive financial mistakes you can make.
Cameron Hendricks joins us to walk us through different scenarios so that we can understand what happens to our estates if we don't even have a simple will in place. You may be at a time of life where you don’t have any dependents and so you may think that it doesn’t matter if you have a will in place. Would you like to leave your money to the state? If so, then there’s no need to do anything, but if you want to have any say in where you’re money will go when you are gone then you need to have proper beneficiaries named. Listen to this episode to hear what could happen to your money after you are gone.
Many people that have families still avoid proper planning of their estate. The reasons are usually emotional. No one wants to think about what will happen to their children when they pass. If you are a stepparent, you probably haven’t thought about what might happen to your estate regarding your stepchildren if you haven't planned your estate properly. You’ll definitely need to hear this episode if you are the parent of a blended family. Make sure you don’t miss this episode on estate planning so that you can understand all the ramifications of improper estate planning.
No one wants to think about what life will be like after they are gone. Making decisions about what happens after your passing is emotional and not much fun. Estate planning is one of those difficult tasks that we just have to get done for the sake of our families. After a loved one’s passing many families experience rough times. Family relationships are already challenging enough. Don’t let your lack of estate planning make them worse. Listen to this episode to hear how important it is to properly plan your estate no matter what stage of life you’re in.
Allison Berger and Grace Kvantas are stepping in for Mike on this episode. They join us to talk about how to navigate through a life crisis, specifically financial considerations after the death of a spouse. It’s hard to think financially after such a terrible emotional blow, but proper financial planning can help ensure that you will have less to worry about in the years to come. Listen to this episode to hear our top 5 financial planning opportunities to think about after the death of a spouse.
There are so many financial questions after the death of a spouse. This is an overwhelming time and it can be scary to move forward on your own. Having a checklist of things that need to be done is a fantastic idea. One area of confusion for widows and widowers is how to file your taxes. In the year of the death of a spouse, it is important to continue to file married filing jointly to take advantage of the lower taxable income rate. If you are interested in hearing about how to save money on your taxes for two more years after the death of a spouse then listen to this episode of Financial Symmetry.
Many people don’t even realize that they should file for portability of the deceased spousal exemption, but even if you’re not a millionaire you should still file. This exemption doubles the rate that your heirs will be taxed so that when you pass they have a larger amount of tax-free inheritance. You may not have this kind of money now, but you never know what the future may bring. It’s always a good idea to be on the safe side and file this exemption while you have the opportunity. Listen to this episode to hear all the details why and how you should file for this exemption.
It can be tempting to pay off all your bills and even the house with the proceeds of life insurance. But before you do this, you should look at some alternatives. What kind of savings do you have set up for your future? Would the proceeds be more beneficial to you by maxing out your 401k contributions or even a put into a 403b? This is a good time to build your net worth as tax-free as possible. If you have surviving minor children ensure that there is a trust provision in place for them so that they don’t receive a large sum at the still so young age of 18. If you are wondering what you should do with life insurance proceeds, then listen to this episode of Financial Symmetry to get some ideas.
You can never assume that the social security administration is giving you the right amount of money so it is important that you ensure that you are receiving the correct amount of spousal social security benefits. If you have surviving children many widows and widowers feel the need to save this money for when they are older. But the social security administration would actually prefer that you use the money to care for your children’s needs right now. If you have any questions about social security, this episode of Financial Symmetry may provide the answer. Make sure you listen in to hear all about social security as well as 4 other important financial concerns to consider after the death of a spouse.
On this episode of Financial Symmetry, we’re getting you ready for tax time! We've been helping clients check their taxes for many years and we know that there are two types of people that file their tax returns. The optimists try and get their taxes done as quickly as possible and probably have already filed their taxes. Those of you that are pessimists are waiting until the last minute and probably haven’t filed yet. If you fall into the latter category then you will definitely want to listen to this episode before you file your taxes. On this episode, we cover the top ten tax return filing mistakes. Remember, the IRS will never send you money that you missed on your tax return. Make sure you listen to this episode to avoid these common tax return mistakes.
Many times people make tax return mistakes simply because they are disorganized. They misplace paperwork and often do not have all the data at hand to complete their 1040 correctly. One thing you can do to avoid making costly mistakes on your tax return is to keep a file handy where you can put all of your tax documents for the coming year. That way as you receive documents throughout the year you can just place them into the file and have them ready when it is time to prepare your taxes. Getting your tax documents organized is one way to avoid tax return mistakes. Listen to this episode to hear other ways to avoid making mistakes on your taxes this year.
Having a checklist can help you become organized and avoid costly tax return mistakes. This can help you not to overlook anything. Without a checklist, you may forget to enter correct data or follow up on new tax rules. Some capital gains rules have changed and the custodian of your accounts does not have to keep track of all of the costs. These new changes could lead to costly mistakes. Listen to this episode to hear how these changes could affect you and your tax return. If you are looking to avoid costly tax return mistakes you will want to hear the best ways to avoid them!
Are you a small business owner? Do you do any side work that involves a 1099? If so, that means you are! When you begin your small business or even if you simply have a couple of side gigs to bring in extra income then you need to pay attention to all the rules for filing your 1099 so that you can complete your tax return correctly and save money. Knowing what is taxable income and what isn’t is important and can save you thousands of dollars on your tax return. Listen to this episode of Financial Symmetry to hear about all the ways you can save money by avoiding these tax return mistakes.
Many people think that finding deductions is the best way to save money on their tax returns, but that is not the case. Finding relevant tax credits is actually more important than finding deductions. You need to understand all the credits that apply to you and your family to make the most out of your tax return. If you have a college student you may be making a big mistake when filing your tax return. On this episode of Financial Symmetry, we discuss the top ten most common tax return mistakes that we see on our clients’ taxes. If you want to get the most out of your tax return, you’ll want to listen in.
We’re jumping into the March Madness spirit by seeding our top 8 big financial life decisions. We have weeded through all the challenging financial decisions that you will come across in your life and ranked the top 8. By carefully choosing how you decide these 8 factors you could change the trajectory of your potential to build wealth over your lifetime. These decisions can make differences in the millions of dollars! Problem is, you don’t get a lot of practice at many of these decisions, making most of them only a few times over your life. So listen in, to hear a few ideas on many of these decisions that you’ve already, are currently or plan to make.
Number eight on the list affects everyone differently since the type of car you drive can say a lot about the type of person you are. With the average cost of a car at $31,400, this is often the second largest purchase that most people make. What does the type of car you drive say about you? Spend some time carefully deciding what to drive, how often to replace your vehicle and whether to lease or buy. Number 7 is a costly choice, but it is a gamble that can bring the ultimate return on investment. You’ll want to listen in to hear how to bring about the best return on this important family investment.
How much and how you borrow money over your lifetime will have a lasting effect on your ability to create wealth. How you get a loan, how much can you afford, and what the overall cost of the loan are all critical factors when borrowing money. You’ll also want to be able to decipher between what is good and bad debt? How much debt to take on is an important factor when trying to build wealth over a lifetime. Everyone has a different opinion about debt, listen to this episode to hear ours and to learn how debt can affect your financial stability.
Buying a home is laden with emotional influences that can hijack your rational decision making. When you buy a home, you’re not just purchasing a house so what are all the factors you should consider? What part of the country you live in can drastically affect how much you may spend on a home. Even further, choosing a neighborhood will have a larger impact than you may initially think. Choosing some neighborhoods could leave you feeling he pressure to keep up with the Jones. This is where it’s important to remember that the less house you buy, the more disposable income you will have to spend on your hobbies, your family, and your savings. Listen to this episode to hear all the considerations that you need to think about when purchasing a home.
The fourth item in our top eight ranking is how you choose to save your money. Many of today’s headlines are ripe with reasons to not invest in stocks, nine years in to a bull market. But investing in stocks is an important way to build wealth over a lifetime. Having a diversified portfolio increases the cumulative returns that you will see over time. So why do so many struggle to maintain an appropriate allocation to stocks? Many understand that investing early in your life can more than double your investment returns over a lifetime. But our emotions often have different plans when tough times surface. Listen to this episode to hear how important stock returns are to your wealth accumulation. I’m sure you’re wondering what our top 3 picks are, but you’ll have to listen in to find out!