The end of the school year is right around corner, and as a parent, reality is setting in that your child is fast approaching life as a college student – even if several years away.
College tuition can be very expensive and can be a significant financial burden on family finances. A good way to work around this issue is to use a College Savings Plan, also known as a 529 plan.
Many small contributions can add up to significant amounts over time.
May 29th is College Savings Day (a.k.a. 529 day), and this is a great opportunity to review your plans for financing the next step for your child. Of course, the earlier you start saving, the better. However, it is never too late to get started, and many small contributions can add up to significant amounts over time. You can add small amounts for holidays, birthdays, etc., instead of adding yet another plush toy to the pile. It can also be a great idea to invite friends and family to help out, as adding to the college funds will be a gift for a lifetime.
College savings accounts can be started when your children are still babies, even when the diapers still take up a big chunk of the family budget. The younger they are when you start saving, the less money you have to put away each year to reach the goal.
A 529 College Savings Plan is a flexible savings vehicle. Some states offer tax benefits for contributions, some even provide a match to entice families to get started. The money in a 529 plan can be used to pay for college tuition, fees, books, supplies, different computers and equipment, and can include room and board as well. If the funds are used to pay for these qualified educational expenses, the account offers tax-free earnings growth and tax-free withdrawals.
If you have been able to build a solid college savings account, it will allow your child more options in choice of college. It may be that an out of state college offers better programs to match the academic interest, or that the dream school does not offer as much financial aid as you would have liked.
You can utilize the 529 plan of your choice, not just the one of your home state, although it can be beneficial to use the in-state plan as it may offer a tax benefit. When it is time to choose a school, you are not limited to the state where you choose to invest in your 529 plan, but you have the flexibility to choose almost any college across the country, or even many international schools.
College can be an important period in your child’s life. This is where they grow to adults and build a foundation for their future. When there is less financial stress, it is easier to embrace college as the great opportunity it is.
All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. All views/opinions expressed in this newsletter are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views/opinions held by Advisory Services Network, LLC.
As we have just started 2019, and the holidays are over, many people use this time to set goals to improve their finances in the year ahead. Setting aside money for savings can be stressful, especially right after the holiday season where you may have spent more than you would have liked. However, establishing small savings goals can help prepare you and your family for the future, and to overcome some of the inevitable bumps in the road.
According to a survey by Fidelity, a third of Americans set a financial resolution. Last year, those that set a financial resolution did about twice as well as those who didn’t, when it comes to paying down debt and being in a better financial situation than the previous year.
To improve your odds of being successful, your goals should be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound (SMART).
Here are a few ideas to help you along the way;
Boost your 401k
Review your contributions to your retirement plan at work. Make sure you at least contribute enough to get the full match from your employer, if one is offered. It usually requires you to contribute around 3-6% of your pay.
Did you receive a pay raise? If so, consider using a portion of it to increase your contribution to your retirement plan. That way, you will both get more money on pay day, and your 401k will grow a little faster.
While you are at it, make sure your beneficiaries are correct.
Pay yourself first
Set some money aside for a rainy day, or for one of your goals, and keep it out of sight.
Have a portion of your paycheck deposited directly into a savings or investment account. That way, you never see the money in your checking account, and are less likely to spend it. If needed for an emergency, the money is still available, but it will take an extra step to access it.
Even a small amount can make a big difference, if done consistently. You can start with $50 or $100 a month or paycheck, and then increase the amount if you have room in your monthly budget.
Automate
If you are like most, you will be motivated to pursue your resolutions in January. However, you might find that you will have lost some steam just a few months later. To not loose track of your goals, use the first burst of energy to automate as much of the process as you can, to make sure it gets done.
For example; set up automatic payments of your credit cards to avoid late fees and to pay down a balance if you have one; transfer funds to a savings or investment account on a regular basis; pay an extra $100 on top of your regular payment to pay off your loans faster.
Cut unnecessary expenses and fees
Review your bank and credit card statements for recurring expenses that you can cut with limited impact on your life. For example, streaming services you don’t use, a membership to a gym you use very infrequently, or reduce your cable bill by calling to negotiate a lower rate or give up the premium package.
Many banks allow you to set up free overdraft protection from a linked savings account. This will eliminate the risk of paying those exorbitant overdraft fees if you forgot to transfer funds to your checking account, to cover that one bill that only comes occasionally.
Get your professional team in place
It can be a great idea to assemble a team of financial professionals to help you out. The team can include a financial advisor, a CPA and maybe an estate attorney. Although these come at a cost, they can often pay for themselves by advising you of ways to further improve your financial life or save costs in other places.
Take your time to find the right people, and interview them before signing up for their services. Personality makes a big difference, as you want someone that you are comfortable working with, and who you can discuss tough issues with. The hope is to find a great long term relationship, where the goal is to build value over time.
This material is provided as a courtesy and for educational purposes only. Please consult your investment professional, legal or tax advisor for specific information pertaining to your situation. All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. All economic and performance data is historical and not indicative of future results. All views/opinions expressed in this newsletter are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views/opinions held by Advisory Services Network, LLC.
August 26th commemorates the 98th anniversary of the signing of the 19th Amendment, giving women the right to vote. Gender equality has progressively been moving forward, even though there is still room for improvement. Women are still under-represented and under paid in the corporate world, although great strides are being made.
Striving for equal opportunities for women and girls should be the norm in modern society. Although we are not there yet, it has shown to be a great investment opportunity.
Companies that have a higher share of women in executive positions and on their board, tend to deliver better financial results compared to male dominated companies. The outperformance is primarily contributed to the broader range of ideas and approaches to problem solving that a diverse group of decision makers have, as well as to better talent and employee management.
Women holding positions at the top of companies does not happen by chance. Foresighted businesses have recognized the potential and are working to improve their pipeline of qualified candidates in management training programs.
Gender diversity in leading corporate roles is one of the screens employed in ESG and socially responsible investment approaches. By investing in this manner, you can achieve a potentially stronger portfolio, while at the same time supporting companies that do their part to offer everyone an equal opportunity.
If you have any questions about how you can align your investment portfolio with your values, please contact Forty4 Financial for more information.
All information contained herein is derived from sources deemed to be reliable but cannot be guaranteed. All economic and performance data is historical and not indicative of future results. All views/opinions expressed in this newsletter are solely those of the author and do not reflect the views/opinions held by Advisory Services Network, LLC.
Striving for equal opportunities for women and girls should be the norm in modern society. Although we are not there yet, it has shown to be a great investment opportunity.