Seven Reasons Financial Planning Is So Important

July 21, 2016 by Sam Curmaci

They say that money isn’t everything but we all know that some days, money is everything. This is especially true when you are low on cash. That is when you have bills to pay and unexpected things pop up. You also need money to retire, though you may not be putting money away like you should. You may want to hire a financial planner to help you with your finances because it is really important to plan your finances.

Here are some reasons why financial planning is so important.

Understand your income. People get their paychecks yet they don’t really think about the money that they make. They are not prepared when tax season comes around and they owe a lot of money because they didn’t get enough money withheld. This is also true with business owners. They need to plan to hold a percentage of their earning so that they are prepared to pay taxes quarterly.
Set a budget. To live financially responsible, you need a budget. You need to know how much money you get each month (or week). You need to plan out where you are going to spend your money. Things like electric, groceries, and other expenses are necessary, though you should also plan for some fun expenses.
Take care of your family. Part of financial planning is making sure that, if something would happen to you, your family is going to be well taken care of. You want to make sure that you have insurance policies all set up so that your children will be able to live like they are used to.
Start saving money. A savings account is important. Many people call it a “rainy day” fund because it can be used in the event of an emergency so that a setback won’t ruin you financially. You should try to have a few months of expenses saved away, in the event that you lose your job or are hurt in an accident.
Making smart investments. It is important to put money away as investments so that you can keep earning more money. Financial advisors are great at helping to make your money work for you, though you can decide if you want to use high risk stocks or accounts that are safer.
Plan for your retirement. Many people are not able to retire when they would like to, because they don’t have the funds to do so. You need to make sure that you are saving money regularly so that you will be able to retire when you want to. You need to have enough so that you can live comfortably, without working.
Become financially responsible. Many people try to be smart with their money, though without knowing much about money, theymay not be doing everything that they can do to have a comfortable life. Once you learn about money coming in, budgeting, saving, investing, and more, you will know that you are doing everything that you can to be financially responsible.

Once you have a financial plan in place, you should do everything that you can to stay on track. A financial planner will help to make sure that you are spending your money smartly. They are also great at making your money work for you so that you can live comfortably now and when you retire. They will also make sure that your family is going to be well taken care of. Once you are financially responsible, youwill be amazed at how many people have no idea where their money is going.

Contact us for help with your finances. It is our goal to ensure that you have enough money to live comfortably and to retire in the future.

Reasons to Start Financial Planning Today

July 7, 2016 by Sam Curmaci

If you go strictly by what you read or watch on the news, then you know that the present economy is volatile. It goes up and down based on world events and domestic markets, but, all in all, it can’t be predicted. It’s hard to know where to invest your money, especially if you’re just about to retire and you want to live on your dividends for a long time. The basic reality is that your Social Security check every month is only a drop in the bucket. With your impending lump-sum distribution from your retirement plan or the estimated payments that you will receive from structured annuities, you still need financial planning. Fortunately, there’s good news for people in your shoes. Here, we look at a recent report on the outlook for retiring high-earners:

Forbes.com’s Andrew Biggs did a comparison of the median disposable income of U.S. retirees 65 and older with the median disposable incomes of counterparts in other developed countries. He found that the U.S. average income was $26,250, which places our retirees at #3 (behind retirees in Luxembourg and Norway). The reason for our high level of retiree disposable income compared to other countries is that we have low income taxes.

Biggs also noted that two-thirds of U.S. retirees pay no taxes on their retirement and payroll income. While you are in a higher income bracket perhaps than the median retirees discussed above, you know that your proposed income stacks up well. Now, you can sleep better at night. But, what do you do with that income? How do you make it grow?

Structure Your Investments Based on Current and Future Trends

The age-old advice still holds true. Don’t put all of your retirement eggs in one basket. Build a portfolio of retirement investments, even if that means moving your money around. It means that you don’t have to keep your money invested in the same mutual funds and other portfolio options you chose in your last job. Once you reach that official retirement age with your employer, the question is not really about which rollover to take. It’s about restructuring. You want a combination of high-yield, medium-yield, and low-yield investments, and your strategy should account for the risks associated with each investment type.

Consider Taking a Few Risks

While some high earners pursue a diverse investment strategy, recognizing that investments like capital bonds for government building projects pay off over the long run, they are afraid to take the biggest risks. At the retirement age, it is understandable that you don’t want to lose your retirement savings because you are foolish. Maybe you will start small and risk a small percentage of extra income. Tech startup investments are an example because they can generate double-digit returns (i.e. Instagram), but that isn’t always the case.

Go Tech: Portfolios With Angel Investments

Your portfolio could include some angel investments, for example, if you want to capitalize on tech. A recent Forbes report found the following: “On average, if executed strategically, venture investors should aim to achieve 10x returns on individual investments, but across a portfolio, an internal rate of return (IRR) of 25%.”

You Need Some Expert Guidance

I am here to help you understand how you can restructure your retirement income to include a range of sensible investments. We can build in the acceptable levels of risk for portions of your portfolio based on your needs. It’s never too late to adjust your financial planning strategy and to take advantage of new trends in the market, especially with double-digit returns possible. These can always be adjusted in the future.

For information on investing retirement wealth, please contact us today.

Financial Planning for Retirement: 3 Ways to Increase Your Retirement Savings

June 16, 2016 by Sam Curmaci

As retirement draws closer, you become more conscious of the need to set money aside now. You have the extra money to spend on vacations, new vehicles, and entertainment, but as your retirement looms nearer, you want to focus your financial planning in a different direction. Increasing your retirement savings may enable you to retire sooner or help you keep living the life you want throughout your retirement years. Following a few simple steps now will help you make those changes.

Assign Percentages

You already know that a certain percentage of your income should be going to your savings account. Chances are, you’ve already assigned a percentage of your paycheck to retirement, too. There are, however, some other areas where a simple percentage check can help put your spending in perspective. Calculate what you’re spending now, then make some shifts to help increase your savings.

Entertainment spending: how much are you really spending on movies, events out with your spouse, and other entertainment expenses? Calculate a specific percentage, then look for ways to shave one or two percentage points from it.
Food and drinks: As you near retirement, you no longer have to worry about feeding your entire family at every meal. That means that your food spending should have decreased–but has it? Expensive meat choices, regular trips to your favorite restaurant, and that morning stop for coffee all add up fast.
Vacation: You’ve waited for years to be able to vacation with your spouse anywhere you like. While taking vacations is great, take a hard look at what percentage of your income those trips actually represent. If you really want to increase your retirement savings, start looking for ways to save money even when you’re out to relax. Giving yourself a vacation budget won’t cut into the fun. It will ensure that you can have fun later, too!

Write a Better Budget

When was the last time you actually sat down to look at your budget with your spouse? Taking the time to look over your spending now seems silly. After all, the kids are out of the house. You have extra money left over that you’ve never had before! Writing out your budget and including the things that are really important to both of you, however, can help you and your spouse get on the same page and develop a better appreciation for how much money you really need to live on. Since that budget may continue well into your retirement years, those are great things to know! Make sure it includes things like:

Salon expenses, including your wife getting her hair done
Replacing clothing that has worn out, from work clothes to the clothes you wear for leisure activities
“Fun money” for each member of your family that you can spend the way you want, without needing to check with the other party
Hobbies and interests that add a regular expense to your budget, especially the ones that you might feel obligated to buy new equipment for (classes that you take and pay for every month, sports equipment that needs to be replaced, etc)

Writing out a budget will make it easier for you to stick to a plan–and help you keep on track even when it would be easier to pull out your card and make a purchase.

Track Your Spending

You’ve checked the percentages. You’ve written your budget. Now, there’s one last crucial step to seeing just how much you’re actually spending–and therefore how much more could make it to retirement savings. For at least a month–and six months might be more realistic–track your actual purchases to discover exactly where your money is going. This process can help you see things like:

Where you’re wasting unnecessary money
How often impulse purchases are interfering with your savings plan
How often you’re really going out to eat, stopping at your favorite coffee shop, or hitting the movie theater
How much your favorite hobby really costs your family

The longer you track your actual spending, the more realistic your account will be–and the better the odds will be that you’ll get a real picture of how much money you need for retirement as well as how much more you can invest now. Looking for more ways to improve that retirement account? Contact us today for more information.

Everything You Need to Know About Wealth Management Fees

June 9, 2016 by Sam Curmaci

When you hire a wealth manager, you don’t pay him an hourly amount. Most wealth managers charge an annual fee based on a percentage of your assets. This annual fee ranges from 0.25%-2% of your account. You must understand what wealth management is and how payment works before you hire a wealth manager. Continue reading to learn what you need to know about wealth management fees, so you can ensure you spend your money wisely.

Wealth Management Fees Depend on the Size of the Account

You’ll hear that wealth management fees are typically around 1%, and while that is true, the exact percentage depends on the size of your account. Wealth managers will charge a lower percentage for clients with big accounts. The largest accounts can have a fee as small as 0.25%. Those who have a smaller account pay more than 1%, up to 2%.

If You’re Paying 1%, Get Your Money’s Worth

A wealth manager provides many services all in one. If you solely use your manager for investment advice, then you aren’t getting your money’s worth. Investment firms are often cheaper than wealth management because they focus on investments, whereas wealth managers take a well-rounded approach as long as the client has various financial goals. Think about all of your financial goals, including retiring, sending your kids to college, going on a nice vacation, hitting a certain number in your savings, etc.

When you don’t have time or motivation to research and learn about investments on your own, then paying a 1% fee to a wealth manager is a good deal. You can spend time on activities you enjoy rather than tackle a steep learning curve. There is a lot to learn to become a good investor and not all of it is down to the textbook. A core aspect of investing is mental. You mustn’t let fear or greed control you. Therefore, most people who are interested in investing are better off consulting with an expert, whether that’s an investment adviser or a wealth manager.

Questions You Should Ask Before Choosing a Wealth Management Firm

Choosing the right wealth manager for you shouldn’t come down to the fee they’re charging. What really matters is how trustworthy they are, what they can do for you, and whether or not the two of you can maintain a fulfilling client/customer relationship in the long-term. As we explained in a previous blog post, wealth managers strive to stay by your side for life. Here are some questions you should ask yourself before choosing a wealth management company:

Do I trust him to be honest with me even when it’s something I wouldn’t want to hear?
What are my financial needs, and can this person fulfill them?
Do I know how he gets paid and what potential conflicts of interest would be?

That last question may need some elaboration for you to understand. Some wealth managers receive bonuses if they successfully encourage clients to make a particular investment. You must be aware of this fact in order to make an informed decision. That doesn’t mean you should cross someone off your list for it, but keep it in mind if you choose to hire him. Some wealth managers are still objective despite incentives, but it’s up to you to decide whether or not you can trust the individual.

Conclusion

The value you receive from wealth management makes the fees worth it. What percentage a wealth manager charges you depends on the size of your account. Those with larger sums to work with are charged as little as 0.25% annual assets. Clients with small accounts could have up to 2% in annual wealth management fees. Typically, you can expect a wealth management fee of 1%. Rather than get hung up on percentages, focus on the value you’ll receive from wealth management. A wealth manager is there to help you increase and maintain your wealth.

Schedule a chat with us to determine what fee we will charge you if you hire us as your wealth manager and what we can do to help you achieve your financial goals.

What You Need To Know About Financial Planning

May 26, 2016 by Sam Curmaci

Financial planning is so important for everyone. It is more than just getting ready for retirement. It also involves thinking about how you spend money and what you spend money on. You need to look into your assets and your debts.

Financial planning is not a once and done kind of thing. It is important to revisit your financial plan often, especially if you have changes like an income increase or decrease.

It is never too late to start planning to have better finances. Some people think that since they waited too late, there is no point in trying to plan for your future. However, whether you started to plan for your future when you were younger or, even if you didn’t, the time to start planning is now.

Here are some things to think about when you are planning for your financial future.

Look at where you are in your finances and where you want to be. Examine your assets and debts. Examine where you spend your money. Where can you cut back in order to save a little more money? Do you really need to go out to eat every week? Do you need a brand new car? Fancy vacations? Or would you rather be a little more comfortable in your retirement.
Determine how much money you will need to retire. Really think about where you want to be when you retire. How much money will you need to live comfortably? How much money would you like if you want to live the same way that you live now? Don’t forget that you may get some money when you retire, though you may just want to think of that as extra income for unnecessary expenses.
Think about your living situation. Where do you want to live when you retire? Do you want to move or stay in the house where you are now? Can you find a smaller place with a smaller monthly payment? If you move now, it will be easier and you can invest the money that you are saving each month.
Work as long as you can. The longer that you work, the more money that you can save and put toward your retirement. Even if you are almost at the age where you want to retire, if you wait an extra few years, you will be amazed at how much you can save if you really cut back and invest.
Delay your social security payments. The longer that you wait to collect social security, the more money you will get. Even if you can wait to retire just a few more years, the extra money will be worth it.
Get help. Financial planners are worth the cost. They might find places where you can cut back so that you can save more. They will help you invest your money wisely so that you will be prepared for the future. Though you should cut back on your spending, don’t skimp on finding help so that your future can look bright.

Financial planning can be scary. You might not like what you see, unless you make some changes. You need to cut back on spending so that you can save, save, and save some more. You may also want to think about getting a smaller home so that you can put that money towards saving for retirement. If you haven’t thought of saving for retirement yet, don’t worry, if you can work a few extra years, you can get yourself a nice little nest egg.

SAC Investments

Financial Services Ft. Lauderdale Florida

Call Today! 570-885-6672

Sam Curmaci, President of Investments

Seven Reasons Financial Planning Is So Important

Reasons to Start Financial Planning Today

Structure Your Investments Based on Current and Future Trends

Consider Taking a Few Risks

Go Tech: Portfolios With Angel Investments

You Need Some Expert Guidance

Financial Planning for Retirement: 3 Ways to Increase Your Retirement Savings

Assign Percentages

Write a Better Budget

Track Your Spending

Everything You Need to Know About Wealth Management Fees

Wealth Management Fees Depend on the Size of the Account

If You’re Paying 1%, Get Your Money’s Worth

Questions You Should Ask Before Choosing a Wealth Management Firm

Conclusion

What You Need To Know About Financial Planning

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