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Help Reach your 2019 Financial Resolutions

The start of the new year always seems to represent new beginnings. It’s a time to remake our priorities and to reimagine our futures. Although the calendar may not recognize its significance, our humanity marks the passing of the old year with poignancy.

We awaken to the opportunities that surely await us—just over the proverbial horizon. We may suppress our yearnings, but, nonetheless, we lay our hopes on the promise that the new year will be different, more fulfilling, more exciting, more focused. We’ll achieve our goals in the new year.

Never mind the statistics about short-lived New Year’s resolve. We are beginning again. Putting the missteps and misgivings aside, we take aim. The more daring and adventuresome among us, emboldened by even greater prospects ahead, develop resolutions—or at least we aspire to do so.

So, how do you develop sound, achievable New Year’s resolutions, especially those involving your finances? And why are they so important?

Here are five tips about goals and resolutions:[I]

  1. Successful resolutions should be constructed with goals. And goals should include benchmarks or steps, each leading you closer to fulfilling your resolution.
  2. Your brain speaks the language of resolutions. Your brain instinctively performs executive functions, which draw you closer and closer to what you resolve.
  3. Goals provide focus. They give you direction and vision. You have a place to go. Goals give clarity to your resolutions.
  4. Goals provide purpose. You know what you want, you make resolutions, and goals provide the catalyst.
  5. Goals make you feel good, so say neuroscientists who study the brain’s emotional circuits.

Setting New Year’s resolutions can be easy and fun, and lead to some exciting changes in your life. Making your goals, based on your resolutions, become reality requires a few steps.[i]

  • Keep them short and easy. Create achievable resolutions. Setting Herculean goals will only set you up for failure.
  • Take it easy. Do one behavioral change at a time. Replacing unhealthy behaviors that have developed over a lifetime may take time.
  • Share your aspirations. When you discuss your resolutions with your family and friends, you create a kind of support (or accountability) group. You may have others wanting to join you in your pursuits. Going to the gym. Saving money. Investing. The more who are signed on, the more likely you (and they) are to achieve the goals.
  • Get help. You may want to adjust your resolutions along the way, making them more challenging or, on the other hand, more realistic. And if you get overwhelmed, seek advice from a trusted friend or a professional. They may give you all the encouragement you need at the time. Financial professionals can provide invaluable guidance to pursuing your goals.

Developing goals to achieve your New Year’s resolutions can be challenging. A goal, technically, differs from a resolution. Goals help you produce the desired results in your life.[i] Resolutions are designed to bring change to aspects of your life: health, diet, finance, behavior. Goals provide the stepping stones to achieving your resolution.

Resolutions are the “what.” Goals are the “how.” And your dreams are the “why.”

Here are some principles to help you to develop your goals:[ii]

Develop goals that inspire and motivate you. Think about what and why something is important to you. Your goals should have a sense of urgency to them. You simply must achieve them.

Put it in writing. Writing out your goals reinforces your commitment. Use strong command words like “will” or “shall.” Don’t use “would like to” or “might.” The weaker words convey hesitation and doubt. Goal setting is as much mental as physical.

Develop a plan. Although the idea of achieving a goal may excite, you can’t ignore the journey, your action plan. Write down the steps to achieve your goal (which brings you closer to your New Year’s resolution), and cross off the steps as you complete them.

Stay at it. Don’t give up. Goal setting involves dedication. Remind yourself regularly to keep on track. Monitor your plan and look forward to achieving each of your goals. Keep yourself motivated. One day you’ll be able to look back with pride at achieving your dream.

As you look forward to the promise of a new and better year, we encourage you to develop resolutions and to stay focused on your plan. We are available and ready to help you with pursuing your financial goals and creating your happy financial future. 800.929.1001

From all of us at CapSouth, have a happy, healthy, and fulfilling New Year!

[i] http://www.differencebetween.info/difference-between-goal-and-resolution

[ii] https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newHTE_90.htm

[i] https://www.apa.org/helpcenter/resolution.aspx

[i] https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smashing-the-brainblocks/201512/8-reasons-we-really-do-need-make-resolutions

Why Do You Need a Will?

According to the global analytics firm Gallup, only about 44% of Americans have created a will.[i] This finding may not surprise you. After all, no one wants to be reminded of their mortality or dwell on what might happen upon their death, and writing a last will and testament is seldom on a Millennial or Gen Xer’s to-do list. What may surprise you is the statistic cited by personal finance website The Balance: around 35% of Americans 65 and older lack wills.[ii]

A Will Is an Instrument of Power

By creating one, you gain control over the distribution of your assets. If you die without one, the state decides what becomes of your property, without regard to your priorities.

A will is a legal document by which an individual or a couple (known as “testator”) identifies their wishes regarding the distribution of their assets after death. A will can typically be broken down into four parts.

  • Executors — Most wills begin by naming an executor. Executors are responsible for carrying out the wishes outlined in a will. This involves assessing the value of the estate, gathering the assets, paying inheritance tax and other debts (if necessary), and distributing assets among beneficiaries. It is recommended that you name an alternate executor in case your first choice is unable to fulfill the obligation. Some families name multiple children as co-executors, with the intention of thwarting sibling discord; this can introduce a logistical headache, as all the executors must act unanimously.2
  • Guardians — A will allows you to designate a guardian for your minor children. The designated guardian you appoint must be able to assume the responsibility. For many people, this is the most important part of a will, since if you die without naming a guardian, the courts will decide who takes care of your children.
  • Gifts — This section enables you to identify people or organizations to whom you wish to give gifts of money or specific possessions, such as jewelry or a car. You can also specify conditional gifts, such as a sum of money to a young daughter, but only when she reaches a certain age.
  • Estate — Your estate encompasses everything you own, including real property, financial investments, cash, and personal possessions. Once you have identified specific gifts you would like to distribute, you can apportion the rest of your estate in equal shares among your heirs, or you can split it into percentages. For example, you may decide to give 45% each to two children and the remaining 10% to your sibling.

A Do-It-Yourself Will May Be Acceptable, It May Not Be Advisable.

You have worked hard to create a legacy for your loved ones. You deserve to decide how that legacy is sustained.

Remember, A Will Puts Power In Your Hands.

The law does not require that a will be drawn up by a professional, so you could create your own will, with or without using a template. The problem is that if you make a mistake, you will not be around to correct it. When you draft a will, consider enlisting the help of a legal, tax, or financial professional who may be able to offer you additional insight, especially if you have a large estate or a complex family situation.

To learn more about estate planning please call our office to meet with a CapSouth advisor or visit our website.

[i] https://news.gallup.com/poll/191651/majority-not.aspx

[ii] https://www.thebalance.com/wills-4073967

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/naming-more-one-executor.html

What is Medigap Insurance and How Do I Get It?

Establishing a national health insurance plan for senior Americans has followed a sometimes-wayward path through U.S. history.

President Teddy Roosevelt first began discussing the idea of implementing a system of health insurance in the United States more than a century ago. President Harry Truman called for developing a health insurance fund in 1945.[i]

President John F. Kennedy pushed unsuccessfully to create a national health insurance program for senior Americans.

In 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed legislation that established Medicare. More than 58 million people now receive health insurance through Medicare.

Medicare Covers About 80%

Original Medicare—which includes parts A, B, and D—does not cover all medical expenses.[ii] Typically, those on Medicare still must pay 20% of the cost of their doctor’s visits and for other medical procedures.

Medicare.gov provides more in-depth explanations of payment schedules and treatment coverage.

Most people who have Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) don’t pay monthly premiums.[iii]

If you didn’t pay Medicare taxes for at least 30 quarters (7½ years) of work, you’ll have to pay $422 for Part A. If you paid Medicare taxes for 30-39 quarters, your standard Part A premium will be $232 a month.[iv]

A Quarter of Medicare Recipients Have Supplemental Insurance

Nearly 12 million people on Medicare—about one in four—have supplemental Medigap coverage.[v]

Medigap often covers all or most of the difference in health-care costs—that 20% not covered by Medicare.[vi] Policy and coverage choices include plans A, B, C, D, F, G, K, L, M, and N. Private companies provide the government standardized coverage.

Medigap covers copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles.[vii] Some policies provide coverage of services that Medicare doesn’t cover.

Medicare pays its portion of covered approved health-care services first before Medigap insurance pays its share.

Here are eight facts about how Medicare and Medigap work:

  1. You have to have Medicare Parts A and B.
  2. Medigap coverage is not Medicare Advantage, which is offered by private companies contracting with Medicare.[viii] Medicare Advantage includes:
  • Health Maintenance Organizations
  • Preferred Provider Organizations
  • Private Fee-for-Service Plans
  • Special Needs Plans
  • Medicare Medical Savings Account Plans

3.  Medigap only covers one person per policy. You and your spouse have to get separate policies.

4. Any state-licensed insurance company may offer Medigap coverage.

5. Renewal of standardized Medigap coverage is guaranteed. Your provider cannot cancel your policy if you’re paying your premiums.

6. Some Medigap policies sold before January 1, 2007 provided prescription coverage. Those sold after that date are legally prohibited from providing drug coverage. Medicare’s Part D    plans cover prescription drugs.

7. You are not permitted to buy a Medigap policy if you already have a Medicare Advantage Plan, unless you’re dropping the plan to go back to Medicare.

8. If you’d like more information about your financial options or to learn more about your financial needs, we’re happy to help. Contact us at 800.929.1001.

Investment advisory services are offered through CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. Information provided by sources deemed to be reliable. CapSouth does not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information.  This material has been prepared for planning purposes only and is not intended as specific tax or legal advice.  Tax and legal laws are often complex and frequently change.  Please consult your tax or legal advisor to discuss your specific situation before making any decisions that may have tax or legal consequences.

This article contains external links to third party content (content hosted on sites unaffiliated with CapSouth Partners). The policies and procedures governing these third-party sites may differ from those effective on the CapSouth company website, as outlined in these Disclaimers. As such, CapSouth makes no representations whatsoever regarding any third-party content/sites that may be accessible directly or indirectly from the CapSouth website. Linking to these third-party sites in no way implies an endorsement or affiliation of any kind between CapSouth and any third party, including legal authorization to use any trademark, trade name, logo, or copyrighted materials belonging to either entity.

[i] https://www.medicareresources.org/basic-medicare-information/brief-history-of-medicare/

[ii] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/medigap-insurance.asp

[iii] https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/medicare-costs-at-a-glance

[iv] https://www.medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/part-a-costs

[v] https://www.gomedigap.com/blog/medicare-supplement-trends/

[vi] https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/medigap-insurance.asp

[vii] https://www.medicare.gov/supplements-other-insurance/whats-medicare-supplement-insurance-medigap

[viii] https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/types-of-medicare-health-plans/medicare-advantage-plans

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