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Tag: Wealth Advisor

Why You Don’t Need Assets to Work With a Financial Advisor

In the realm of financial planning, a common misconception persists: the belief that you need significant assets before working with a financial advisor. However, this notion couldn’t be further from the truth. Planning for your financial future is paramount, especially during your accumulation years when crucial decisions are made that can shape your later life.

Consider this: if you don’t start planning early, how do you really know that you can retire at that goal age you already have in mind? How will you know if you can afford insurance, to travel, or leave a legacy for your loved ones? The answers to these questions lie in proactive financial planning, regardless of your current asset level.

Working with a financial advisor shouldn’t be a step taken only when retirement is approaching. Instead, it’s about putting a unique-for-you, comprehensive plan in place to achieve your long-term financial goals. This proactive approach ensures that you’re equipped with the knowledge and strategies necessary to navigate life’s twists and turns.

One of the most significant benefits of early engagement with a financial advisor is gaining clarity on your financial trajectory. With a well-defined plan in place, you’ll have a roadmap outlining how to reach your goals, whether it’s retiring comfortably, traveling the world, or leaving a meaningful legacy.

However, it’s essential to understand that the role of a financial advisor extends far beyond occasional meetings at your workplace to discuss your employee 401(k). An effective advisory relationship should encompass ongoing guidance, regular touchpoints and meetings, education, and personalized support tailored to your unique circumstances and goals. A relationship with an advisor should be personal.

Many individuals underestimate the value of financial education and guidance, often unaware of what they don’t know. Yet, the importance of being informed about your financial options cannot be overstated. As the saying goes, “A goal without a plan is simply a wish.” By working with a financial advisor early on, you transform your unspoken retirement wish list into tangible plans, increasing the likelihood of seeing them come to fruition.

Ultimately, the decision to engage with a financial advisor as early as possible in your financial journey can yield invaluable benefits. It’s not about your current asset level but rather about setting a solid foundation for your financial future.

What fears are holding you back? What pain points do you have that need to be addressed? Perhaps, the thought of confronting your financial realities feels overwhelming or intimidating. Maybe there’s uncertainty about where to begin or skepticism about the value of financial planning. Though all these reasons are common and realistic, it’s crucial to recognize that the longer you delay addressing these concerns, the greater the potential impact on your long-term financial well-being. Procrastination can lead to missed opportunities and unnecessary stress down the road. By acknowledging your apprehensions and taking that first step towards financial empowerment, you can overcome obstacles and pave the way for a more secure future.

To learn more about our process and how to take the first step to work with an advisor at CapSouth Wealth Management visit our website at capsouthwm.com/what-we-do/ or Connect With Us.

CapSouth Partners, Inc, dba CapSouth Wealth Management, is an independent registered Investment Advisory firm. 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 information has been prepared solely for informational purposes, is general in nature, and is not intended as specific advice. This article was produced with the assistance of ChatGPT (April 24 Version); Chat GPT is an artificial intelligence

The Value of Insuring Against Life’s Risks

When you are planning for your future, what do you think about? You may think about your retirement, enjoying having the time and money to take trips and pursue your interests. Maybe you think about your home and enjoying the feeling of stability that can come with home ownership. In making these plans, people often find that their long-term view involves money, in some fashion.

 

That said, life also involves risk, and the unforeseen events that can change our plans in an instant. As an example, sudden injury or disability could leave you in a financial bind, unable to work for an extended period of time, if ever again. For this reason, among others, insurance can be an important tool in your pursuit to build and maintain your wealth and help protect it from unforeseen and destructive forces.

 

Did you know that:

  1. Sixty-eight percent of American workers have no long-term disability income protection,[i]
  2. Roughly 70 million Americans aged 18-38 have no life insurance,[ii] and
  3. About one in eight drivers is uninsured?[iii]

 

If you ask a homeowner, replacing a roof is probably the least satisfying expense he or she will ever face. While the value of such an investment is obvious, it doesn’t quite provide the satisfaction of new landscaping. Yet, when a heavy rain comes, ask that same owner if he or she would have preferred the nice flowers or a sturdy roof.

 

Insurance is a lot like that roof. It’s not a terribly gratifying expenditure, but it may offer protection against the myriad of potential financial storms that can touch down in your life.

 

The uncertainties of life are wide ranging, and many of them can threaten the financial security of you and your family. We understand most of these risks — a home destroyed by a fire and a car accident are just two common risks that could subject you to outsized financial loss.

 

Similarly, your inability to earn a living to support yourself and your family due to death or disability can wreak long-term financial havoc on those closest to you.

 

Insurance exists to help protect you from these forms of wealth destruction.

 

Some insurance (e.g., home or car) may be required. When it isn’t (e.g., life or disability), some individuals may be tempted to avoid the certain financial “loss” associated with insurance premiums and assume the risk of much larger losses that are less likely to happen.

 

But insurance premiums aren’t a financial “loss;” they are designed to help protect you and your family as you build personal wealth. Keep that in mind as you consider your coverage options and make decisions about your future; it’s possible that you are making a decision that could affect the rest of your life.

 

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.ssa.gov/news/press/factsheets/basicfact-alt.pdf

[ii] https://www.ajc.com/business/personal-finance/free-term-life-insurance-yep-thing-and-here-how-you-can-get/zzoBg0QQqRgjoBMAN1QfWM/

[iii] https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2018/03/15/483414.htm

Putting a Price Tag on Your Health

We constantly hear how important it is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. That is not always easy, especially in the face of temptation or the easy option of procrastination. For some, the monetary benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle may provide an incentive.

 

Being healthy not only makes you feel good, it may also help you financially. For example, a recent Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health study determined that a 40-year-old who simply moves from being obese to overweight could save an average of $18,262 in health care costs over the rest of his or her lifetime. If that person maintains a healthy weight, the average potential savings increase to $31,447.[i]

 

If you’re wondering how your health habits might be affecting your bottom line, consider the following:

Regular preventative care can help reduce potential healthcare costs. Even minor illnesses can lead to missed work, missed opportunities, and potentially lost wages. Serious illnesses often involve major costs like hospital stays, medical equipment, and doctor’s fees. Preventative dentistry may help you reduce dental costs as well.

 

In a way, staying healthy helps our potential to save for retirement. If your health declines to the point where you cannot work, that hurts your income and your ability to contribute to retirement accounts. The threat is real: the Social Security Administration notes that a quarter of us will become disabled at some point during our working years.[ii]

 

Higher weight seems to be a factor in overall health care costs for many. Ask the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; they note that per-year health care expenses are about 41% higher ($4,870) for an obese individual than for a person of normal weight ($3,400). The biggest factor in this difference: prescription drug costs.[iii]

 

Some habits that lead to poor health can be expensive in themselves. Smoking is the classic example. A pack of cigarettes costs anywhere from $5-14, which means ballpark expenses of $2,000-5,000 or more a year in expenses for a pack-a-day smoker. Smokers also pay higher premiums for health, disability, and life insurance.[iv]

 

By focusing on your health, eliminating harmful habits, and employing preventative care, you may be able to improve your self-confidence and quality of life. You may also be able to reduce expenses, enjoy more of your money, and boost your overall financial health.

 

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.bankrate.com/banking/savings/healthier-lifestyle-can-save-you-money/

[ii] https://www.cnbc.com/2018/11/11/protect-yourself-from-a-career-derailment-that-trips-up-1-in-4-workers.html

[iii] https://abcnews.go.com/Health/Healthday/story?id=8184975&page=1

[iv] https://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/family-finance/articles/the-real-cost-of-smoking

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