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The “If/Thens” of Financial Stewardship

Financial Stewardship is often described with words such as planning, management, attention and care. All good words. All right on point. The key, though, is how do you make it a topic worth spending your time on? Well, it’s all in how you package it. For example, I’ve really come to enjoy if/then statements. The perfect combination of hypothesis and conclusion. My family uses them on me all the time:

Son # 1: “If I get a full scholarship, then you have to buy me a new car.”

Son # 2: “If I make this shot, then I get to stay up later.”

Son # 3: “If you can’t guess what number I’m thinking of, then I get to keep your guitar.”

Son # 4: “If I eat twenty goldfish at one time, then you have to play basketball with me.”

Wife #1: “If you don’t put up these clothes, then I’m going to…” (You get the point.)

As you can see, conditional statements can cover a wide variety of subjects. That said, most of the above center around time and money – two things folks seem to always want more of.  And while I can’t provide you with more time, I can offer a few suggestions on the financial side. (See what I did there? Now you’re interested in financial stewardship.) So, here’s a quick list of financial if/then statements you may find valuable:

  1. If you don’t contribute to your 401K, then you might be missing out on the employer match.

Some employers will put a matching contribution into your 401(k) if you’ll just – contribute. That’s called free money, by the way. Technically, it’s called an employer match, and if you want as much of that free money as your employer is willing to give, then max the match.  For example, if they match 50% of your contribution up to 6%, then consider putting in 6%.  Disclaimer: Don’t stop paying your bills or putting food on the table in order to put money in your 401(k), but do consider taking advantage of this employee benefit if offered. The employer match is often a discretionary match, meaning, it’s up to the employer’s discretion to offer it or not. So, if you’re eligible for an employer match, look into it. You’ve heard the expression, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch?” Well, this is pretty close.

2. If you want to know where your heart is, then check your credit card or bank statements.

Warning: If you look, then you will surely find. Every dollar you make is going somewhere, right? Take ownership of that. You have the authority, if not the responsibility, to account for every dollar that comes in. Let’s be honest, not every purchase is accounted for or was part of your financial plan, now is it? It’s likely, as you have at least a passing interest in financial stewardship, that you have a good accounting of where your money is going. But life happens, and thanks to the marvel of auto-pay for example, you may have unwittingly fallen victim to subscriptions to music and video services, magazines, jelly of the month clubs, etc., that you weren’t even aware of…but that your kids were. (This may or may not have happened to me.)  And each and every month, they’re helping themselves to your dollars (the auto-pay…and your kids, too, possibly). And be aware, fraud is a big business. As in billions with a “b” in 2020. One report suggests that over $117M of that originated from social media scams alone. There are different rules with debit and credit cards as to how much of a fraudulent charge you may be responsible for, so check those statements for charges that may not be yours. Time is important here. Review often and report right away.

3. If you don’t model financial stewardship for your kids, then who will?

Please discuss financial stewardship with your kids. If you don’t model it for them, then culture will. The same culture that brings us such family friendly hits as Miley Cyrus, Howard Stern and The Bachelor. As part of our client experience, we engage in an Honest Conversations® exercise that highlights what clients value most out of life and serves as the foundation for their financial plan. More often than not, how financial stewardship was modeled for them when they were young is the impetus for how they model financial stewardship for their kids. It was either discussed as a family concern, or it was never discussed and deemed none of the kids’ business. I would encourage you to model financial stewardship for those you have influence with and bring them into the conversation (as age appropriate) thereby establishing a healthy appreciation for money and a head start on financial stewardship.

4. If you’re working and NOT saving for retirement, then what’s wrong with you?

I’ll spare you the grim statistics on the percentage of Americans who are nearing retirement and aren’t prepared for it. On second thought, let’s talk about it. In a 2019 GOBankingRates survey1 of 2000 respondents, 64% reported they will likely retire – broke. Here’s an even harder to believe statistic, 48% didn’t care. What? Here’s the deal. Your retirement is not your government’s responsibility, nor is it your employer’s.  It’s yours. So make a plan. Age is not an excuse, by the way. You’re never too young to be introduced to the value of planning and preparation. As a matter of fact, the younger the better!  Insurance is typically less expensive, your investment time horizon is likely longer, and your margin for course correction is typically much greater. Seek wise counsel. If you were only able to remember a single thing written in this article, then remember those three words:  Seek. Wise. Counsel.

5. If you think Social Security is going to take care of your living expenses during retirement, then you’re wrong.

Read most any recent article on Social Security and you’ll discover the uncomfortable truth. If changes aren’t on the horizon, then Social Security won’t be either. Reserves are projected to last until 2037, or so, unless significant changes are made. Still, Social Security is certainly worthy of your consideration, and we can assist with a strategy tailored to your plan. It’s a part of your retirement strategy, but it shouldn’t be your retirement strategy.

6. If you’re investing in the stock market and aren’t adhering to a financial plan, then you may be taking more (or less) risk than you need to.

We believe a well-designed financial plan is a vital component in reaching the financial goals you have for you and your family, and your investment strategy should support the goals within your plan. Your investment strategy is a tool – it’s not the plan itself. Once we determine how our clients want to live their one best financial life, we devise a plan, with a corresponding investment strategy to help them get there. And we prefer you not take any more risk than is necessary to accomplish your goals. So what happens if the amount of return that’s required to reach your goals is more than you’re comfortable with? That’s when priorities and tradeoffs are made. Rarely does financial stewardship or living one’s best financial life happen by accident. It requires action.

If you don’t know how much risk you should be taking to accomplish your goals and objectives, or maybe you’re not even sure where to start, then start with an Honest Conversation. We can have one.

7. And finally, if your son wants you to play basketball with him, then by all means – play.

They don’t stay 12 for very long, do they.   

If you would like to learn more about CapSouth Wealth Management please visit our website at www.CapSouthWM.com  if you would like to have a conversation to discuss this article further, I’d love to chat. 334.673.8600.  

by: Billy McCarthy, Wealth Advisor

164% of Americans Aren’t Prepared For Retirement | GOBankingRates

CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, is an independent registered Investment Advisory firm.  This material has been prepared for planning purposes only and is not intended as specific advice. CapSouth does not offer tax, accounting or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisors for all issues that may have tax or legal consequences.

This article contains external links to third party content (content hosted on sites unaffiliated with CapSouth). CapSouth makes no representations whatsoever regarding any third party content/sites that may be accessible directly or indirectly from this article. 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.

Young Professionals and Retirement Planning

Young professionals have a lot on their minds these days. Perhaps furthest from mind is a retirement saving and investment plan, and maybe even further – estate planning. However, the earlier you start saving, investing, and planning, the better.

Setting money aside for the future can be easier said than done. After considering your rent or mortgage, student loan payments, other expenses, and trying to have just a bit of fun, the thought of investing and planning for retirement can seem ominous.  On top of all those factors, COVID-19 and the associated global recession have added much economic uncertainty.

Fear not, though – it’s not that bad!  Here are a few basic principles to get you started:

Become A Disciplined Saver

The optimal savings rate to meet retirement needs is often 15% or more of gross income. That may not be practical for you just yet, but the important point is to make savings a priority as soon as possible.  Compounding interest and time are your friends. The key is to begin saving at a consistent rate within your budget and to increase that savings rate when you can.

One of the best ways to stick with your savings plan is to develop automated savings strategies, such as having contributions made directly to your 401(k) or your investment account. Many 401(k)’s offer an automatic increase feature to bump your deferral up 1% each year so you don’t feel the increase as much.  On this note, we normally recommend contributing a percentage to your 401(k) rather than a dollar amount. This way your contributions increase along with your pay raises – when undoubtedly your lifestyle and retirement income needs increase as well.

Max the Match

Maybe the number one guideline in 401(k) investing is to max the match.  Many employers offer a matching formula by which, for example, they might match 50% of your contribution up to 6%.  That’s free money!  All you must do is save 6% of your pay towards your own retirement (which you should be doing anyway!), and your employer will give you another 3% of your pay towards your retirement. 

Due to the pandemic, many companies suspended or reduced their 401(k) matching contributions to save cash and avoid layoffs. Although such a move slows one’s accumulation of retirement funds, the bigger long-term damage is done when an employee stops contributing to the 401(k) if the employer stops matching.

Diversify Savings And Investments

It is important to remember that life happens…and often before we reach age 59½. Qualified retirement accounts such as your 401(k) are functionally locked away until you attain the age 59½, so that money may not be available in the event a cash need arises.  So, before you get excited about being able to max out your 401(k), consider diversifying your investment vehicles and saving some of those funds in a retail investment account or an individual Roth IRA. 

Roth contributions are made after tax and allow tax-free growth and withdrawals in retirement. They also typically allow penalty-free withdrawals up to the amount contributed. This provides some liquidity as well as an excellent tax benefit for accounts that appreciate substantially.

Having a growth mindset is central to building a good retirement plan while young. With many years until retirement, a young investor’s accounts should be weighted toward stocks, with enough diversification to protect against poor-performing stocks or industries. You should remember that success in the stock market comes over the long haul and you likely have time to ride out cycles and downturns. With a long time horizon and relatively low income in comparison to your later career earnings, young investors are in a unique position to realize the benefits of these vehicles.

Have Honest Conversations and Make a Plan

Begin early with efforts to identify your values and develop associated goals for your life.  This can be an even more important conversation when a spouse or prospective spouse comes into the picture.  How will you view and handle money?  Will you pay for your children’s education?  Do you want children?  Is travel and recreation of great importance to you, or would you rather spend those resources on a larger home?  Why are those different goals important to you?  

These are just a few examples of topics that often arise in our card game exercise called Honest Conversations®.  This engaging activity is an invaluable way to explore and identify values, to develop goals, and to begin a solid plan to provide guidance and a lens through which to view decisions as they are faced in the future.  Having that solid plan in place can also provide more confidence in your investment allocation, incentive to maintain or increase your savings rate, and peace of mind as you move forward towards accomplishing those set goals.

Estate Planning – Not Just for the Old and Wealthy

Estate planning may sound like an intimidating term that does not apply to you, but there are basic applications that you (along with everyone else) should consider:

  1. Durable Power of Attorney for Healthcare – As an adult your parents no longer have the legal right to access your medical information or to make decisions on your behalf.  Having a simple document drafted ahead of time to allow your parents, your spouse, or another individual to assist in these matters can provide for a smoother experience should injury or illness occur.
  2. General Durable Power of Attorney – Similar to the healthcare document referenced above, you should consider this document to allow your appointee to handle your financial and business affairs on your behalf in the event you become incapacitated.  If this gives you pause, the document can be drafted as a “springing” document that will spring into action at the time of your incapacity.
  3. Advance Directive for Healthcare – Often thought of as its predecessor, the “living will”, this document allows you to make selections as to your preferences for your treatment in the event of either a terminal illness or permanent unconsciousness.  You will be able to choose if or when you would like food, water, life support, etc., and you will have the ability to name a Proxy.
  4. Last Will and Testament – As you begin to establish yourself financially, you will likely own a home, vehicles, and other assets.  A basic will can direct where those assets flow at your death, as well as name who will handle your affairs for you.
  5. Asset Titles and Beneficiary Designations – It is important to note that your will only directs assets as a last resort.  Account titles and beneficiary designations will override any language in your will.  A house held in Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship will flow to the other tenant.  A 401(k) account with a listed beneficiary will flow to that beneficiary – even if you are estranged from that person and “meant” to change it.  Make sure to periodically review your documents!  We recommend an estate review every three to five years, or more often as needed.

Make it a Great Start

There are no do-overs in life.  You cannot replace the power of starting young with a disciplined savings and investment strategy, a long-range plan for life and retirement, and attention to the important not-so-fun legal considerations along the way.  Our goal is to help you identify and live your One Best Financial Life®, and that is even more valuable and rewarding when you get a head start. 

If you would like to learn more about CapSouth Wealth Management please visit our website at www.CapSouthWM.com  or if you would like to have a conversation to discuss this article further, I’d love to chat.  (678) 272.7555

by: CapSouth Wealth Advisor, Scott Fain, CFP®

www.capsouthwm.com/our-team/scott-fain/

CapSouth Partners, Inc., dba CapSouth Wealth Management, is an independent registered Investment Advisory firm.  This material has been prepared for planning purposes only and is not intended as specific advice. CapSouth does not offer tax, accounting or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal advisors for all issues that may have tax or legal consequences.

Helpful Retirement Strategies for Women

Preparing for retirement can look a little different for women than it does for men. Although stereotypes are changing, women are still more likely to serve as caretakers than men are, meaning they accumulate less income and benefits due to their time absent from the workforce. Research shows that 39% of women took a significant amount of time off work to care for loved ones – compared to 24% of men.1 Women who are working also tend to put less money aside for retirement, saving just 7% of their paychecks on average, while men save closer to 10%.2

These numbers may seem overwhelming, but you don’t have to be a statistic. With a little foresight, you can start taking steps now, which may help you in the long run. Here are three steps to consider that may put you ahead of the curve.

1. Talk about money. Nowadays, discussing money is less taboo than it’s been in the past, and it’s crucial to taking control of your financial future. If you’re single, consider writing down your retirement goals and keep them readily accessible. If you have a partner, make sure you are both on the same page regarding your retirement goals.3,4 The more comfortably you can talk about your future, the more confident you may be to make important decisions when they come up.

2. Be proactive about your retirement. Do you have clear, defined goals for what you want your retirement to look like? And do you know where your retirement accounts stand today? Being proactive with your retirement accounts allows you to create a goal-oriented roadmap. It may also help you adapt when necessary and continue your journey regardless of things like relationship status or market fluctuations.2

3. Make room for your future in your budget. Adjust your budget to allow for retirement savings, just as you would for a new home or your dream vacation. Like any of your other financial goals, you may find it beneficial to review your retirement goals on a regular basis to make sure you’re on track.3

Retirement may look a little different for women, but with the right strategies – and support – you’ll have a good start toward achieving the retirement you’ve always dreamed of.

To learn more about CapSouth, visit our website at www.CapSouthWM.com

  1. Pew Research, 2019
  2. Money Talks News, 2019
  3. Forbes, 2019
  4. MarketWatch, 2019

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.

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