How Much Should You Invest for Retirement?
When it comes to investing, we all have to start somewhere. It can be easy to look for a set number or percentage of income to invest and stick with it. While that may be the simple approach, I believe more needs to be considered when choosing an amount to invest continually. With that being said, this should not be so complicated; it takes forever to figure out. While investing will look different for everyone, there are some helpful guidelines to establish what investing should look like for you.
The Importance of Investing
We must first establish why you should invest in the first place before diving into how to invest. Investing gives you the advantage of putting your money into a vehicle designed to grow wealth. This is the classic case of risk vs reward. You could leave your money in a savings account but will get minimal growth, if any. The alternative is investing some of that money into the stock market strategically to take advantage of a multiple percentage return.
When investing, it is crucial to know your goals with that money. This could be anything from saving for vacation to retirement planning and anything in between. Knowing what you are investing for is one piece of the puzzle. The second piece to consider is the timeline of your investment. If you are investing money that you plan to use for a vacation six months from now, your strategy will look significantly different than the money you invest towards your retirement, which is 20 years away. The final consideration is the risk you are comfortable taking with your investment. The timeline plays a role in this, but a personal component needs to be considered and talked through with a financial advisor.
How Much To Invest
When it comes to establishing the amount you are investing, it again depends on multiple factors. You must take into consideration the end goal as well as your own capacity to invest. The overarching recommendation is to invest 15%-25% of your income toward retirement. While this can be a helpful target to shoot for, this amount could be too little with the end goal. Instead of picking an arbitrary amount, I suggest doing a retirement expense inventory. Doing this will allow you to get a goal that is tailored to your cost of living and retirement expectations. This takes into account life expectancy, healthcare costs, and expected retirement lifestyle. From here, you can reverse solve to find a proper investment target using a compound interest calculator. Keep in mind that this target is going to move on you throughout your life. What makes sense at 30 years old will be different at 40 years old because you’ve gained more clarity on the components used to establish your target.
As great as it would be for everyone to understand their retirement expenses, it can often be challenging to project. What about someone with significant student loans who can't swing 15% of their income to retirement? This is where capacity comes into play. The above scenario is the goal, but it may not be feasible for your current financial situation. If that describes you, then the mentality you should have is to start small but start now. You will be better off by investing a little bit each month and building the habit of investing, as opposed to waiting until your circumstances are perfect to start. I recommend you find an amount that works with your budget and commit to investing that amount for a year. By doing this, you have built the habit of investing and allowed your money to start working through compounding interest.
Where to Invest
Now that you have established your goals and an amount of money to invest, you can consider what investment vehicle you want to use. If this is new territory for you, read my article “The Order of Operations for Retirement Savings.” This can give you a baseline of where to begin with investing.
All the pieces we have discussed up to this point will influence the strategy you choose for investing. At the end of the day, diversification is one of the most essential components of retirement investing. You’ve heard the phrase, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket,” which holds true when investing. The stock market is volatile and should be approached with a well-thought-out strategy. Diversify your investment across multiple asset classes such as stocks, bonds, real estate, etc. This will help you have a robust strategy when the market is up and protect you from downsides when the market is down.
Adjust and Review
I’ve mentioned it once, but it deserves to be revisited. The amount you contribute to retirement savings will be a moving target. It will change as you get closer to retirement, have income fluctuations, and gain clarity on your financial goals. This change is not something to shy away from. It creates the opportunity to revisit this topic regularly. If you work with a financial advisor, this conversation should be part of a standard cadence between you and them. Having a plan is important, but understanding how that plan should flex over time is equally important.
Keep in mind that these are general guidelines around investing toward retirement. As I mentioned, everybody has a different situation and should consult a financial advisor to help consider all factors of your financial picture. If I can leave you with any piece of advice, it is that the best time to start investing was yesterday. The second best time is today.
References
https://www.investor.gov/financial-tools-calculators/calculators/compound-interest-calculator
https://smartasset.com/investing/how-much-money-to-invest-in-stocks-per-paycheck
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. The information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Understand risk behind the wheel of a racecar
A new way to view risk
It took me quite some time in my professional career to grow comfortable and confident speaking with clients about risk and risk tolerance. Mostly because “risk” is very poorly defined by most financial professionals, I can understand how this comes to be. You are the new guy/gal at a venerable firm with many hard-working, intelligent, successful colleagues, and you are looking to avoid asking elementary or profoundly philosophical questions, ie, you don’t want to be the new weirdo in the office. Risk tolerance is supposedly both how you feel now and your feelings about hypothetical situations, which has always made me suspicious.
I’ve grown to understand the problem is that both professional and amateur may not fully understand what they mean by risk. I’ve made the cardinal sin of saying risk is volatility to sound smart, not fully grasping that is a profoundly dumb and half-baked way to talk about risk. First, nobody in the normal world talks like that, saying risk equals volatility. Second, it is more likely that that person is trying to say something smart and noble, but it can be counterproductive and/or mildly offensive if you are speaking over the head of your intended audience. Through this thought experiment, I’ve come to borrow my new definition of risk from others. Risk should be understood as something turning out other than you had planned.
As a simple example, I’m sure the purchasers of Ark Innovation ETF in February 2021 did not plan to watch their capital incinerate over the following twelve months. This tongue-in-cheek example highlights the point that risk, by definition, must be an unknown. As an aside, I’d like to totally ban the term “upside risk” from conversations with regular investors about their investment portfolios. This term is too often used by professional investors trying to in vain to predict the future.
Many in the financial planning business build a risk tolerance questionnaire as part of initial relationship start-up. I must underline before I proceed further, that I am not against the questionnaire, my contention is with the presentation of risk. A risk tolerance questionnaire will generally use a series of questions about hypothetical scenarios to judge how you feel and would react to the riskiness of investments. Absent from these usually well-intentioned questions is a true emotional response that comes with markets “turning out other than you planned.” Generally if the stock market is down 20-30-50%, other things are going badly in the world outside of the stock market.
Consider the onset of Covid-19 in March of 2020. The market had violent downside moves coinciding with incredibly anxiety-filled macro events. There was nothing wrong with a person who filled out a questionnaire stating they were “aggressive” considering selling and not increasing their investment holdings as they claimed they would when filling out the questionnaire. In fact, they are simply human beings who act rationally. From a narrow market perspective, we can all discuss those rough weeks we went through in March in sanguine terms now, but to not understand how close we were to the precipices would be ignorant at best. I shudder to think of what would have happened without the Fed increasing its purchases of treasury bonds from a set number to unlimited.
A more practical way to look at risk
I might brag that I would really enjoy driving a 1989 Ferrari F40 at full speed around a race track, but sadly this would be a lie. During the only track day I have participated in, putting the accelerator down to the floor was not the issue as much as bravery on the brake pedal. To improve your lap time, you must achieve the highest average speed possible around the track (no $&(%!). To do this, you both need to go fast AND brake as late and smoothly as possible to hustle the car around corners in the most efficient way possible. I found it easy to claim, I wasn’t driving a Ferrari by the way, that I would brake late and be solely focused on the racing line. The first time the car truly warmed up and the brake pedal traveled further than I expected before engaging the hot, ironically grippier, brakes I was no longer that brave. I was especially considerate as one of the hardest braking zones of the track had you face-to-face with oncoming guardrails. As a father of two, I was looking to win no awards for bravery at that turn. My lap performance improved when I was able to get feedback from a more seasoned driver in the passenger seat. The advice was that “smooth is fast and fast is smooth” as I was very jerky on both the accelerator and brake pedal. My lap times improved with this feedback, more laps behind the wheel, and a greater understanding of the limits of the car I was driving.
I use a racing analogy for two reasons; first, I love talking about cars and racing. Second, and more importantly, a colorful analogy helps hammer home more esoteric ideas. We can all imagine our financial plans as a race we need to win. We all have different races and cars to drive in this race analogy. We could all benefit from expert advice and feedback as to where we need to be more judicious on the brakes and, at times, hit the gas harder. Saying what we would do behind the wheel versus actually doing it can help the mind begin to plan but could serve little purpose when careening towards a guardrail, trusting the middle pedal. Mike Tyson is quoted as saying, “Everyone has plans until they get punched in the mouth”.
A good financial professional should help you understand what lap times you need to hit your goals (your financial plan). What vehicle and features are best for your race (your portfolio of investments). How and when should you speed up or slow down (the risks you need to take). And whether you should even drive or be the passenger (discretionary versus non-discretionary). Risk in this scenario is not the consistency of one lap to another (remember the term volatility); risk is more likely when you press down on the brake pedal, and something unexpected happens. This is the risk I believe most of my clients are focused on and not some stuffy saying like “downside volatility.” I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes about going fast that could also be translated to market wipeouts. “Speed has rarely ever killed someone. Coming to a sudden, unexpected stop is what has done most folks in.”
Why did I take you on this roundabout journey (no pun intended) to discuss risk? In the spirit of continuous improvement on my craft and process, clearly communicating new-found thinking on a topic ensures a greater ability to understand and implement improvements fully. I am working to ban myself and those I can influence from using the interchanging words volatility and risk. Further, a core belief I hold when making investment decisions is that simple is always better; thus, we can simplify a conversation around risk and use risk to our advantage. Finally, I have a passion for my craft of investment management and believe it has many crossovers in life. For example, I have noticed my ability to become more patient with investment decisions since becoming a father. I am sure all the parents reading this can understand this lesson without saying more.
In the coming months, I will lead the firm's efforts to build a formalized investment management program. This entails the construction of portfolios for other advisors at our growing firm, many of whom do not enjoy and would prefer the expertise of a more seasoned investment professional constructing the portfolio. In this capacity, I will also assume the title of Chief Investment Officer of Fiduciary Financial Advisors. While I would be the first person to admit that title inflation often occurs in the financial industry, I am taking this role extraordinarily seriously. I do not foresee any changes to working with my existing clients, but will become very selective about the new clients I take into my practice. That said, I feel emboldened that I can work to serve more individuals and families via money management done the right, fiduciary way.
“I write so that I can think” is a quote attributed to John Adams that I fully understand. Risk and return are to each other what light is to dark. Simplifying an understanding of risk to manage it better can only benefit our investment return potential.
I appreciate your time reading my views on this topic and hope they are thought-provoking. As always, I am happy to hear from you with any questions, comments, or just to say hello.
Be well and invest for the long run,
rob
Robert A Barcelona
Senior Financial Advisor
Fiduciary Financial Advisors
President HB Wealth Management, LLC
Yahoo! Finance Feature: Transitioning Into Retirement: A 2024 Financial Checklist
Andrew Van Alstyne had the privilege to be featured in Yahoo! Finance to talk to readers about the preparing for retirement in 2024.
Andrew discusses a systematized checklist that can be utilized in the years leading up to, and then through, retirement.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
Recent Articles Written by Andrew:
Recent Articles Andrew Has Been Featured In:
Financial Planning Feature: American's Top 5 Financial Regrets of 2023
Andrew Van Alstyne had the privilege to be featured in Financial Planning to talk to readers about the financial regrets of 2023.
Andrew discusses how one of the biggest missed opportunities was missing out on higher yield savings accounts and how inflationary risk is all too often under valued for the impact in can have on the real rate of return of an investment.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
Recent Articles Written by Andrew:
Recent Articles Andrew Has Been Featured In:
Yahoo! Finance Feature: 13 Key Signs You’ll Always Be Middle Class
Andrew Van Alstyne had the privilege to be featured in Yahoo! Finance to talk to readers about the behaviors keeping them middle class.
Andrew discusses how certain financial habits are keeping high-income earners from elevating their socioeconomic position.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
Recent Articles Written by Andrew:
Recent Articles Andrew Has Been Featured In:
Yahoo! Finance Feature: How Much the Average Florida Retiree Should Have in Their Savings Account
Andrew Van Alstyne had the privilege to be featured in Yahoo! Finance to talk to readers about the factors to consider if you want to retire to the sunshine state.
Andrew discusses the benefits to consider when retiring to a state without income tax as well as strategies that can be applied more broadly.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
Recent Articles Written by Andrew:
Recent Articles Andrew Has Been Featured In:
GoBankingRates Feature: Net Worth for Baby Boomers: How To Tell Whether You’re Poor, Middle Class, Upper Middle Class or Rich
Andrew Van Alstyne had the privilege to be featured in GoBankingRates to talk to readers about gaining clarity on the blurred lines between classes in America.
Andrew discusses the differentiating factors in each wealth segment, and how to properly manage your assets based on the one you’re in.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
Recent Articles Written by Andrew:
Recent Articles Andrew Has Been Featured In:
The Order of Operations for Retirement Savings
One of the most common questions people ask me is how to determine the best way to save for retirement. It’s a fair question because there is no one-size-fits-all retirement saving and investing approach. Each person’s unique financial situation can impact how they save for retirement. So, before we jump into a general recommendation for the order of operations in retirement savings, consult a financial advisor-–like myself-–to discuss your individual financial considerations that can influence your retirement outlook.
Step 1: Work-Based Retirement Plan
Employer retirement plans, such as 401k, 403b, or 457, are often the best and simplest way to begin retirement savings. Not all plans are created equal, depending on your employer, but these plans contain some significant benefits worth taking advantage of.
Minimal Barrier to Entry
Employer-sponsored retirement plans typically have low to no barriers to entry. In most cases, employees are auto-enrolled in the company plan, with some employers requiring a small contribution from each employee. If not automatically enrolled, opting into the plan is often as simple as filling out a few forms.
Matching Incentive
One widely recognized benefit of employer plans is the associated company match. While not mandatory for all employers, a company match is becoming a common addition to benefits packages. I like to call this “free money”. By contributing a percentage of your paycheck, your employer agrees to match your contribution up to a specified limit. For example, “Employer agrees to match 50% of employee’s contribution up to 6%”. This means that if you contribute 6% of your paycheck, your employer will add an additional 3% to your contribution. This is a key reason why work-based retirement plans are so effective.
Automatic Deduction
The final distinction of these employer plans is that your contributions come directly from your paycheck before you receive it. This makes the process of saving for retirement very simple and automated. Automatic deduction enables you to save for retirement before recognizing that money as income.
Step 2: Emergency Fund
I know what you’re thinking—having an emergency fund has nothing to do with retirement savings. While it doesn’t directly count as retirement savings, it’s a necessary step in the equation. To fund your retirement, you need to ensure that your current financial situation is under control. The control starts with having a safety net in place. An emergency fund allows you to manage your current financial picture before addressing your future financial picture. By establishing an emergency fund, you can stay on track with your retirement goals when unexpected expenses arise rather than halting retirement contributions to cover unforeseen costs. Once you’re contributing to your work-based retirement plan and have an emergency fund established, we can move on to other retirement savings accounts.
Step 3: Individual Retirement Accounts
Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs) are often the next step in retirement savings. These accounts are separate from employer plans but still hold numerous benefits. There are two main types of IRAs, each effective depending on individual financial considerations. While this won’t be a deep dive into these accounts, here is a quick overview of their function and benefits.
Traditional IRA
A traditional IRA is a pre-tax retirement account. Contributions are made pre-tax, resulting in a current-year tax deduction. The money invested in the account grows and is taxed at an ordinary income rate when withdrawn. This is often referred to as tax-deferred, meaning that you defer your taxes until withdrawal.
Roth IRA
A Roth IRA is considered a post-tax retirement account. Contributions happen after taxes are taken out of your income. Since you pay taxes upfront, that money grows tax-free. Regardless of your tax bracket at withdrawal, you won’t have to pay taxes on the money in your account, assuming you follow proper withdrawal guidelines.
Which One?
This is where a professional comes in handy. Many individuals benefit from utilizing both IRAs at different points in their careers, often dictated by their current income. In most cases, ask yourself, “What is my current tax bracket compared to my retirement tax bracket?” If your current tax bracket is higher than your projected retirement bracket, it might make sense to contribute to a traditional IRA over a Roth. But a Roth could be the most efficient option if your current tax bracket is lower than your projected retirement tax bracket. The maximum contribution for an individual in 2024 is $7,000 for those under 50 years of age and $8,000 for those 50 and above.
Step 4: Health Savings Account
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are great financial tools for some individuals. An HSA is primarily a form of health insurance an employer could offer. It’s a high-deductible plan that allows you to put money into an account for qualified medical expenses. HSAs often have an employer contribution attached. Due to the high deductible, these plans are great for healthy individuals with lower medical needs.
There’s a point where an HSA can secondarily be used as a retirement savings account in addition to its primary use as a health insurance plan. This is when you have unused money in the plan to be invested. This allows you to utilize the “triple-tax advantage” of using an HSA as an investment vehicle. Contributions are tax-deductible, while the earnings and withdrawals are tax-free when used for medical expenses. After the age of 65, withdrawals can be taken from your HSA account for non-medical expenses and taxed like a traditional IRA. For many individuals, the HSA functions as a great tool for wealth accumulation after maxing out your IRA.
Step 5: Taxable Account
The final piece of the puzzle for retirement savings is a taxable account or brokerage account. This account does not offer the same tax benefits as the previously mentioned accounts, which is why it is last on the list. Contributions to these accounts occur after taxes, and the growth or income produced each year counts towards your taxable income for the year. With that being said, the benefit of this account is that you can contribute and withdraw as you please. Because the money is likely invested, it may take a few days to sell and withdraw, but there is no age limit to take the money out. What you lose in tax benefit, you gain in liquidity.
These accounts have multiple purposes but are commonly used to create a “bridge account” for retirement. Because work-based retirement plans, IRAs, and HSAs all require you to be a certain age before making withdrawals, you can use a taxable account to save and invest money if you decide you want to retire early. This account functions as the “bridge” to fund your life from when you retire until you start collecting Social Security or retirement account distributions.
As I mentioned at the start, this is not a blanket approach to retirement savings for everyone. While the structure may work for some, it is important to talk with an investment professional to consider how your income, retirement plan, and goals will impact your strategy. What’s universal about this information is that everyone can contribute to retirement savings in multiple ways to ensure their financial picture is on track.
References
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Prioritizing_investments
https://www.bogleheads.org/wiki/Health_savings_account
https://thecollegeinvestor.com/1493/order-operations-funding-retirement/
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. The information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Yahoo! Finance Feature: Six Ways to Mitigate a Sudden Job Loss
Andrew Van Alstyne had the privilege to be featured in Yahoo! Finance to talk to readers about the importance of being prepared at all times for the possibility of a job loss.
Andrew discusses why it is important to have a dedicated emergency fund along with tax efficient ways of further upskilling and educating oneself.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
What is a Backdoor Roth IRA?
If you're a high earner, you might have come across the term "Backdoor Roth" - it's often hailed as a strategy to outmaneuver heavy tax burdens imposed by Uncle Sam. Yet, despite its popularity in conversation, it remains largely misunderstood. Let's delve into a clear explanation, one that's easy to digest.
So, what exactly is a backdoor Roth?
It's a tactic used by high earners to contribute to a Roth IRA, even when their income surpasses the limits set by the IRS for direct contributions.
Here's how it typically works:
Make a Nondeductible Traditional IRA Contribution.
Convert to a Roth IRA: After contributing to the traditional IRA, you convert it to a Roth IRA. This conversion, crucially, is allowed regardless of your income level.
Tax Implications: Because the original IRA contribution was made post-tax, there are generally no tax implications from the conversion.
Things to Consider: Before proceeding with a backdoor Roth IRA, it's important to understand the pro-rata rule. This rule can impact the tax treatment of the conversion if you have other traditional IRAs with pre-tax contributions.
For years, there have been discussions in Congress and the presidency about closing this perceived tax loophole. Therefore, a backdoor Roth may not always be an option. It's wise to determine sooner rather than later whether you can participate in this strategy and how to do so effectively.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
Should You Hire a Bookkeeper for Your Business?
Today’s blog goes to my hustlin’ entrepreneurs out there who are ready to get their books organized, have a better grip on their business cash flow, and make tax time a loooooot smoother for themselves.
I get questions all the time from women and mama entrepreneurs about how they can clean up their books and systems, leaving them with confidence and structure. My answer? A bookkeeper. My role as a financial advisor differs from what a bookkeeper does and the services we provide tackle different obstacles.
As a financial advisor, I assist with investing, tax minimization, saving for retirement, insurance planning, and financial planning for your life - think inheritance, divorce, dream vacay, kids’ education, and the list goes on. Intentionally understanding how you (and your spouse!) think and feel when it comes to making financial decisions, allows me to tailor my advice to you. In addition to the specific services I provide, I bring tangible steps and direction to the table to accomplish your goals.
A bookkeeper is to keep your books in order so that you can focus on stewarding your business well. That includes the recording, organizing, and summarizing of all financial transactions within your business – money in, money out, and where it goes! From recording sales, purchases, and expenses to tracking invoices and receipts, maximizing deductions, and confirming business compliance, bookkeeping helps to ensure that your finances are detailed, accurate, and ready for analysis. Both myself as a financial advisor, specializing in women entrepreneurs, and a bookkeeper help you feel confident and at peace with your finances.
Now that you have a better understanding of the difference between my role and a bookkeeper, let’s see if hiring a bookkeeper makes sense for you. I had the privilege to sit down with Brittany DeMoss from Good Steward Bookkeeping to get the inside scoop on bookkeeping. Let’s dive into the conversation!
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L: Brittany, SO good to connect. Can you share a little bit more about who would benefit from hiring a bookkeeper and when it would be beneficial?
B: Anyone who owns a business and doesn’t want to do their own bookkeeping! Bookkeeping has to be done, but it doesn’t have to be done by you. What might take up around 20 overwhelming hours of your valuable time each month could become an additional 20 hours taking on more clients, building your website, sourcing your materials, or spending time with friends and family. What might cost you $2,000 a month of your time could cost just $300 a month of a bookkeeper’s time. Hire it out!
In regards to when, outsourcing a bookkeeper isn’t necessarily dependent on how much income your business is bringing in. Instead of hiring a bookkeeper once you “finally reach $100k,” consider hiring a bookkeeper when you haven’t touched your books in a while. Or if you don’t know where to start, or you panic during tax season, or you don’t know if you’re compliant, or you aren’t paying yourself a dime. The best time to hire a bookkeeper is when you’re ready to be confident, at peace, and make informed business decisions that will increase your profit. Outsourcing this task will help you focus on stewarding your business as a CEO!
L: This is great. It seems like bookkeeping can be beneficial for any stage of business. One question I get often is what’s the difference between a bookkeeper and an accountant? Can you shed some light on that?
B: Absolutely! Accountants and bookkeepers perform different roles, so having both is best! Bookkeepers dive into the nitty gritty details of your books to give you a clear view of your finances, catch error and fraud, help you save and generate more money, and let you focus on stewarding the growth of your business. Once your books are ready, the bookkeeper hands them off to your accountant for tax returns and tax planning.
L: Super helpful. What about the DIYers of the audience? Software like Quickbooks is very common and many of my clients utilize this. Would there be a benefit for an existing Quickbooks/software user to outsource their bookkeeping?
B: My recommendation is yes, there would be a benefit! My favorite software to use for bookkeeping is QuickBooks Online (but Xero is a close second). Even if you use QuickBooks, you might not want to actually use QuickBooks. Let me manage your QuickBooks account for you with my monthly bookkeeping package!
L: You mentioned your monthly bookkeeping package. Tell me more! What levels of service do you offer clients?
B: My most popular (and my personal favorite) service offering is my monthly bookkeeping package. This package is intended for small and growing businesses who are seeking peace and confidence in their numbers! Monthly bookkeeping includes income and expense categorization, bank reconciliations, financial statements, and unlimited support. This package starts at $300/month.
I also offer clean-up and catch-up services for those of you who haven’t touched your books in a while, or maybe ever. It’s overwhelming! This service is a one-time fee to provide categorization and reconciliations for each missed month.
My DIY Bookkeeping Tracker is a bookkeeping tool for all of you DIY-ers! This spreadsheet is for entrepreneurs & side-gig CEOs who aren’t quite ready to hand over their books to a bookkeeper. With this tracker you’ll have: monthly income and expense tracking, a Profit & Loss Statement, goal setting, tax tracking, and pretty visual reporting! For a one-time cost of $89.00 and a few hours of your time each month, this is an economical way to do your own bookkeeping accurately and efficiently. Make sure to use Leanne’s code LEANNE15 for 15% off!
You can also find some free tidbits of bookkeeping tips and tricks on my blog!
L: I love the different scopes of engagement. Something for everyone! Can you share a little more about what communication looks like when an entrepreneur reaches out and you sign on a new client?
B: Full bookkeeping services require minimal monthly virtual communication (although we’re always open for 1:1 support!). We start with a discovery call to get to know each other and, once we commit to a contract, we will set up a meeting to officially transition your bookkeeping off of your plate.
After that, not much is needed from you! Once we work our bookkeeping magic, you will receive an email with any questions (usually just a few) we may have for you regarding your banking transactions for that month. Once answered, you can expect your simple and detailed (and dare I say FUN?!) financial reports in your inbox by the 15th of each month. If you have any questions regarding your monthly bookkeeping reports, we’re happy to hop on a call or explain via email!
L: You have me sold on your “bookkeeping magic”! Any other magical words to share with our readers today?
B: Accurate bookkeeping paints a picture of your financial health and is the foundation for success. It empowers you to make informed decisions about your business - knowing where to invest, how much to charge clients, understanding profits, and being tax-ready without the stress.
You’re making money, but you’re not sure where it’s all going? Bookkeeping. You need to purchase a new camera but you aren’t sure if you have enough in your account to do so? Bookkeeping. Are you unsure if you’re able to pay yourself during a slow month? Bookkeeping. Is your client demand high and you’re wondering if it’s time to raise your prices? Bookkeeping.
Bookkeepers are dedicated to making sense of your business finances for you! Whether it’s setting up systems, offering guidance, or handling the monthly bookkeeping process, my goal is to provide the support and organization you need to help you grow your business successfully and strategically.
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AMAZING feedback from Brittany. Are you ready for your book’s spring cleaning or what? I know I am. You already know I’m going to share all the deets on how you can reach out to Good Steward Bookkeeping. Check out Brittany’s contact information below and here’s to organized books, paying yourself confidently, and clear cash flow!
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
About Brittany…
Brittany DeMoss is a bookkeeper, money-stewarder, owner of Good Steward Bookkeeping Co., and Kingdom builder. Photographers, web designers, wellness coaches, copy and grant writers, and coffee shops all over the country are Brittany’s specialties.
She loves serving small businesses, hosting book club (most recent read: Sense & Sensibility), making pottery at a local studio, and dreaming up ideas with her film & photography teacher husband.
W: https://www.goodstewardbookkeepingco.com/
E: brittany@goodstewardbookkeepingco.com
IG: @goodstewardbookkeepingco
About Leanne…
Leanne Rahn is a Fiduciary Financial Advisor working with clients all over the US. If you don’t know what a Fiduciary is, Leanne encourages you to look it up (or even better - check out her website!). She swears you won’t regret it. Women entrepreneurs, newlyweds & engaged couples, and families who have special needs children are Leanne's specialties.
She loves trying new recipes, spending time with her hubs and two littles, and all things Lake Michigan. She could listen to the band Elevation Worship all day long and is a sucker for live music.
Here, at Fiduciary Financial Advisors, we take our fiduciary oath seriously. We hold these five principles:
I will always put your best interests first
I will avoid conflicts of interest
I will act with prudence; that is, with the skill, care, diligence, and good judgment of a professional
I will not mislead you, and I will provide conspicuous, full, and fair disclosure of all important facts.
I will fully disclose, and fairly manage, in your favor, any unavoidable conflicts
Maximizing Your Financial Windfall: A Guide to Smart Wealth Management
Learn how to effectively manage a substantial financial windfall with this comprehensive guide. From prudent planning to long-term preservation, discover expert strategies to optimize your newfound prosperity.
Receiving a substantial financial windfall is an exhilarating experience, but it also comes with tremendous responsibilities. Whether it's an inheritance, lottery winnings, a sizable bonus, or a business sale, managing this influx of wealth correctly can prove crucial for securing your financial future. In this guide, we'll explore essential steps to take when you find yourself with a sudden windfall. From prudent financial planning to long-term wealth preservation, we'll cover everything you need to make informed decisions and optimize your newfound prosperity.
Press Pause
Before making any decisions, take a moment to pause and reflect on your newfound circumstance. Emotions can run high, but making decisions fueled by emotion often leads to regret. Reflect on your financial goals, values, and priorities. Consider how this windfall can align with your long-term aspirations and contribute to your overall financial well-being.
Seek Professional Guidance
Navigating a substantial windfall can be complex, and even if you haven’t felt the need for it in the past, seeking professional guidance will prove extremely useful. A wealth manager can offer invaluable insights tailored to your specific circumstances. They can help you assess your current financial situation, identify your goals, and develop a strategy that aligns all elements of life that are touched by financial matters. Look for an advisor who is a fiduciary and has a duty to act in your best interest.
Review Your Financial Plan
Revisit your financial plan to make informed decisions and maximize your windfall's potential. Work with your advisor to outline clear objectives which may include debt reduction, investment diversification, retirement planning, and philanthropy. Ensure your plan covers short-term needs and long-term wealth preservation.
Maximize Tax Planning and Efficiency
Strategic, year-round tax planning can significantly impact the longevity and growth of your newfound wealth. By implementing tax-efficient strategies, you can minimize tax liabilities, preserve more of your assets, and enhance overall financial returns.
Diversify Investments
Avoid overexposure by diversifying your investment portfolio. While high-risk ventures may be tempting, prioritize stable, tax-efficient assets to protect your windfall. Depending on the size of the windfall it will probably be more important to protect the amount received by investing in lower-risk assets with stable, tax-efficient returns.
Manage Debt Wisely
If you have existing debts, such as mortgages, student loans, or credit card balances, consider using a portion of your windfall to at least reduce their burden if not paying them off. Prioritize debts with high interest rates to minimize long-term financial strain. Balance debt repayment with preserving cash reserves for long-term financial flexibility.
Protect Your Wealth
Safeguarding your newfound wealth against unforeseen risks is essential for long-term financial security. Review your insurance coverage, including life, health, disability, and liability policies, to ensure adequate protection for you and your loved ones. Depending on the wealth you’ve stepped into, there are more specialized insurance coverages you may need to give thought to that can be reviewed you’re your wealth manager. Also, consider implementing or reviewing estate planning measures, such as wills, trusts, and powers of attorney, to effectively manage and transfer assets according to your wishes.
Stay Informed and Engaged
Financial literacy is a powerful tool for wealth preservation and growth. Stay informed about economic trends, investment opportunities, and tax implications relevant to your financial situation. Regularly review your financial plan with your advisor to adapt to changing circumstances and capitalize on new opportunities. Engage in ongoing education to deepen your understanding of personal finance and empower yourself to make informed decisions.
Establish Family Governance
When a substantial windfall affects multiple family members or spans across generations, establishing clear governance structures becomes essential. Family governance encompasses the policies, processes, and communication channels that guide decision-making, wealth management, and intergenerational transfer of assets.
Receiving a substantial financial windfall presents both opportunities and challenges. By following these steps and leveraging professional guidance, you can effectively manage your newfound wealth and position yourself for long-term financial success for years if not generations to come. Remember to approach the situation with careful consideration, thoughtful planning, and a commitment to preserving and growing your assets. Whether you're planning for retirement, supporting your family, or giving back to your community, smart wealth management is the key to realizing your financial aspirations. Approach the situation thoughtfully, commit to preserving and growing your assets, and take the first step toward a secure financial future by consulting with a trusted advisor today.
Other Recent Articles by Andrew:
Articles Andrew Has Been Featured in:
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors does not give legal or tax advice. The information contained does not constitute a solicitation or offer to buy or sell any security and does not purport to be a complete statement of all material facts relating to the strategies and services mentioned.
Protect Your Financial Life
Protection can have various meanings in the financial industry, and there are several ways to safeguard your income, family, and financial future. While this isn’t an exhaustive list of strategies, it outlines some crucial topics to help you establish proper protection across all facets of your life.
Protect Your Income
Money Management
Knowing your monthly cash flow is one of the most important aspects of protecting your income. This knowledge allows you to be intentional with your spending. Additionally, having an emergency fund will enable you to be proactive when unexpected expenses arise, keeping you on track instead of starting over.
Life Insurance
I typically recommend that most people have a term life insurance policy. Those who are married and, even more importantly, have kids can leverage an inexpensive term life policy as protection against unforeseen events. These policies range from 10 to 30 years and help bridge the gap while dependents are in the house, giving you added peace of mind.
Disability Insurance
Disability insurance isn't for everyone, but it is worth considering. Many employers offer it for free or at a low cost. This can be a great way to protect your income in case of bodily injury. You will first need to assess your ability to find work in the event of disability. From there, you need to weigh the cost of disability insurance against your confidence in finding other work.
Protect Your Family
Health Insurance
Health insurance is essential, but choosing the proper plan is where the cost savings come into play. It is crucial to analyze all plans that you qualify for and understand which plan will offer the most significant value based on your family's needs. When open enrollment or a qualifying life event comes around, analyze your coverage and select the right plan for the following year.
Estate Planning
Estate planning primarily refers to having a will or trust in place. This helps to protect your accumulated assets for your family. While estate planning can be complicated for some, working with a good estate planning attorney can help you figure out the best path forward. For those with children, the estate plan becomes increasingly more critical.
Lifestyle Creep
Establishing family priorities can be an essential way to protect from income loss due to lifestyle creep. Lifestyle creep means that your lifestyle costs increase along with your income. Once established, this is more challenging to reverse. It often presents as a higher mortgage or a more expensive car payment. Establishing family priorities can be the key to preventing lost income due to lifestyle creep.
Protect Your Future
Calculated Risk
Protecting your financial picture involves not only your current financial situation but also your future. Investing is a crucial piece of your financial puzzle, but it must be calculated and intentional. I elaborate on this topic in my article, “A Beginner’s Guide to Investing.” If you are unsure how to be intentional about your investing, reach out to a fiduciary financial advisor, like myself, for assistance.
Don’t Leave Money On the Table
This can present in two primary ways. The first was already discussed and is your company's free or extremely low-cost insurance options. These are great programs, so take advantage of them when you can. The other way I see this often happening is by not getting the employer match on a retirement plan. Most employers will offer a match of 3% or more, which is essentially free money. Don’t miss out on these great employee benefits.
Tax Planning
Tax planning should be encompassed in multiple areas of your financial plan. You should optimize your tax efficiency through your withholdings, deductions, and investments. To do this, connect with your financial advisor and CPA to achieve the best outcome in all aspects of tax planning.
References
https://www.guardianlife.com/insurance/income-protection-strategies
https://www.investopedia.com/articles/younginvestors/08/generation-y.asp
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. The information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
An X-ray of Grand Rapids Hospital Retirement Plans: Which One is Best?
Employer Retirement Plan Details: Why Should You Care?
Employer retirement plans — such as 403(b)s and 401(k)s — are usually a large part of the financial plan for providers, nurses, and other medical professionals. The details of these plans can be confusing so I thought it would be helpful to compare and contrast the plans of the four larger hospitals in Grand Rapids, MI for you.
Understanding the details of your employer plan can lead to a huge difference in your account value at retirement. It should also be factored in when deciding where to work, as it is part of your compensation package. Different aspects of these plans can make them better or worse, I will assign them a Heath Biller score ranging from 0 to 10 — since that is the range used for pain assessments. 10 will be excellent and 0 will be horrible. Let’s X-ray the plans.
*Full disclosure, I have previously worked at Corewell Health & Mary Free Bed
Eligibility
This is when you are allowed to start participating in your company’s retirement plan. Due to compounding interest, the sooner you can start participating the better.
Automatic Deferral
This is when a company automatically enrolls you into the plan at a certain contribution rate when you get hired. The other option is having you opt into the plan yourself, which sometimes doesn’t happen. Automatic deferral is usually much better since it helps you start investing sooner. Life can get busy and procrastination is real.
Employer Matching Contributions
This is the amount of money that your employer contributes to your account on your behalf. It can be matching contributions which is usually a percentage of what you contribute. They can also make a non-elective contribution which means they contribute money to your account even if you don’t contribute anything. A higher rate here is better since that is more money towards your account.
Vesting Schedule
This is the length of time you have to stay working at the company before you are eligible for their matching contributions. If you leave the company before this period of time, they will take their matching contributions back from your account. The shorter the vesting schedule the better.
Roth Option
For a long time, most companies only offered Traditional contributions as an option for their plans. This means you get a tax deduction now but will have to pay taxes down the road when you take the money out. More companies are now offering a Roth contribution option. This means you do not get a tax deduction now but when you take the money out down the road, it will be tax-free. Sometimes Traditional contributions are better and sometimes Roth contributions are better. Having a Roth option is beneficial as it allows flexibility for your specific situation. If you want to learn more about Traditional vs. Roth contributions, read this blog post.
Plan Fees
These are the fees charged to your retirement account by the plan providers for helping set up and manage the retirement plan. Lower fees here mean less money is coming out of your account.
Investment Options
These are the range of investment options the plan offers inside the account. You want to make sure you are contributing to your account, but you also want to be aware of how the money is invested inside your account.
And the Winner is…
Saint Mary’s-Trinity Health with a score of 60/70 (86%). The aspects of their plan that stood out the most compared to the competition were: their employer contribution, their plan fees, and their investment options.
The other plans are pretty good, I have seen much worse. I would have liked to have seen more automatic deferrals, higher employer matching contributions, and more target date funds as the default investment option. Hopefully, this has helped you better understand the plan where you work or evaluate the plans of future employers you are considering.
Please reach out if:
You work for one of these hospitals and have more questions about your plan and what you are invested in
You work for a different medical facility and would like me to help you review the retirement plan they offer
You work for a facility that currently does not offer a retirement plan but would like help setting one up
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Yahoo! Finance Feature: Why Your Idea of Retirement May Be Wrong: And What You Can Do To Better Prepare
Andrew Van Alstyne had the privilege to be featured in Yahoo! Finance to talk to readers about the importance of preparing for expenses in retirement.
Andrew discusses why retirees must plan on having similar, if not greater expenses in retirement to those they’re experiencing in their working years and how they can maximize their cash flow to support their financial independence.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Be sure to consult with a qualified financial adviser and/or tax professional before implementing any strategy discussed herein.
2024 Tax Planning Guide for Optimal Wealth Management
Navigate the ongoing tax planning landscape with this comprehensive guide for 2024. From handling investment gains and losses to managing RMDs and exploring charitable giving strategies, optimize your financial strategy for maximum tax efficiency. Start your tax planning now to ensure a prosperous financial future.
2024 Tax Planning Guide for Optimal Wealth Management
Although we are almost one full quarter through 2024, the 2023 tax season is still wrapping up. Although there isn’t much time to put into effect tax planning strategies for 2023, in this guide, we'll explore a comprehensive checklist covering essential considerations for ongoing tax planning.
Realizing Investment Losses and Managing Capital Gains Distributions
Assess Unrealized Investment Losses:
Take stock of any unrealized losses in your taxable accounts. These losses can be strategically utilized to offset gains and potentially reduce your tax liability.
Even if most of your gains are in a tax deferred account, you could consider realizing losses in a brokerage account to write off up to $3,000 against ordinary income.
Review Investments Subject to Capital Gain Distributions:
Be aware of investments in taxable accounts that may be subject to end-of-year capital gain distributions and explore strategies to minimize tax liability associated with these distributions. This may involve rebalancing your portfolio or employing tax-efficient investment vehicles.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) and Anticipating Income Changes
Understand RMD Requirements:
If you're subject to taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), ensure you are accurately calculating your yearly RMD across all qualified accounts.
Aggregate RMDs from Multiple IRAs:
Generally, RMDs from multiple IRAs can be aggregated, allowing for more flexibility in managing distributions.
For example, if you have one account that underperformed due to the cycle in the market, it may make sense to pull the entirety of your RMD from that account so when that sector of the market recovers, you can realize gains in a more tax-efficient manner.
Inherited IRAs cannot be included in aggregation.
Properly Handling RMDs from Employer Retirement Plans:
RMDs from employer retirement plans must be calculated and taken separately, with no aggregation allowed.
One exception exists, 403(b) plans permit aggregation of RMDs from multiple like-accounts.
Managing Tax Thresholds and Charitable Giving Strategies
If You Anticipate Your Future Income to Increase:
Make your retirement contributions to Roth accounts and Roth conversions.
If your employer only has a traditional 401(k) plan, consider making after-tax contributions if your employer’s plan allows it.
If you are over 59.5, consider accelerating traditional IRA withdrawals to fill up lower tax brackets and allow for more tax-efficient growth moving forward.
If You Anticipate Your Future Income to Decrease:
Consider minimizing your tax liability now with contributions to a traditional IRA or 401(k) instead of Roth accounts.
If You Are on The Threshold of a Tax Bracket:
Consider deferring income or accelerating deductions to optimize tax outcomes. Remember, income doesn’t only have to come from employment, so you may have to look at your investment strategy to adjust your earned income appropriately.
Explore Tax-Efficient Charitable Giving:
Investigate strategies such as gifting appreciated securities or making use of donor-advised funds to maximize tax benefits.
If you usually only take the standard deduction, consider bunching your charitable contributions every few years which may produce a greater tax savings.
Additional Savings Opportunities
Here are some more unique opportunities to save in a tax-efficient manner if you are maxing out your retirement savings accounts:
Maximize HSA Contributions:
If you have a high-deductible health plan, you can fund a Health Savings Account (HSA). The funds in this account are triple tax free (free of tax on income, growth, and withdrawal.)
In 2024, the contribution limit is $4,150 if you are single and $8,300 for a family.
Those over 55 are eligible to contribute an additional $1,000 annually.
Consider Education Savings with 529 Accounts:
You can contribute up to $18,000 annually per beneficiary in 2024.
Alternatively, you can contribute $90,000 every five years, gift tax-free.
Be aware that many of these state-sponsored plans have caps on the maximum contribution amount.
An additional benefit with a 592s; with the introduction of Secure Act 2.0, up to $35,000 can be rolled over to a Roth IRA if not used for education expenses.
If you have a Flexible Spending Account (FSA):
Explore options to utilize unused FSA funds effectively:
Some companies allow up to $610 to be rolled over into the following year.
You may also be allotted a grace period (up to March 15th) to spend unused funds.
Many companies also have a 90-day grace period to submit receipts from the previous year.
Review Your Estate Plans:
While not exactly tax-related, this is a great time of year to review your estate plan while you are collecting and reviewing your tax documents.
Some topics to keep top of mind:
Have there been any family deaths or additions that you would like to account for?
Have you bought or sold any assets that need to be correctly accounted for?
Stay Informed About Regulatory Changes:
As the sole purpose of publishing this article at this time of year goes to serve; while putting the finishing touches on your 2023 tax planning it is also a great time to forecast out through 2024.
As Federal and State regulations change, you’ll have to update your plan. By this point in the year, you should be able to get a good sense of any regulatory changes that may impact your filing status for next tax season.
Tax planning is an ongoing endeavor that spans the entire year. While having a competent CPA or EA is invaluable for maximizing deductions at tax time, your financial advisor plays a pivotal role in guiding you through the year, ensuring that your financial strategy progresses in a tax-efficient manner.
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
How Much House Can I Afford with on a Sales Income?
Buying a home can be a challenging process, even if everything goes smoothly. Throw a few complicating factors into the mix, and it doesn't get any easier. Being a sales professional can be one of those complicating factors when it comes to acquiring a home loan. I’ve experienced this both personally and professionally. Let me shed some light on the process of getting approved for a home loan and then give some guidelines on how much you can afford.
Be Prepared
After getting your finances in order and deciding that the time is right to buy a house, you will need to connect with a mortgage lender to walk through the pre-approval process. A mortgage lender can help determine the best type of home loan based on your circumstances. At this stage, there is no harm in talking with multiple lenders to figure out which company can give you the best rate and provide the best client experience.
Mortgage lenders prefer to see 2 years' worth of tax returns from individuals with a steady income, but often give more flexibility due to the consistency of their income. For those with a variable income, it will most likely be a requirement to provide 2 years' worth of tax returns to even be considered for a loan. Having these forms ready ahead of time, can help you expedite the process.
Don’t Get Caught Up in the Potential
When going through the pre-approval process, lenders will give you a conditional letter of approval for the highest amount that you’re able to borrow. In many cases, that amount will put you into a house that you cannot truly afford. You should have an idea of the monthly payment you are hoping to lock in, before beginning this process. If you haven’t done so yet, now is the time to run the numbers and settle on a payment that mathematically makes sense based on your income. A good mortgage professional can and should assist you in this process.
How Much Can You Actually Afford?
How much house can you actually afford, then? There are different schools of thought on this topic, but I believe that your mortgage payment should be less than 25% of your gross monthly income. Keep in mind that this is a top-end number, and the lower your monthly payment, the more flexibility you give yourself down the road.
Now, with a variable income, 25% becomes a harder number to pinpoint. As mentioned in my post “How to Budget on a Sales Income”, if you have a salary component of your income, I would recommend using 25% of that number assuming you have a decent base pay. This will give you confidence that you can make your payment regardless of job performance. It can be easy to incorporate your commission into this amount, but I recommend against doing this as it exposes you to unnecessary risk.
For those working solely on commission, I recommend finding your number by averaging your income over the span of 3 years, or longer if possible. Using your commission structure can be a good element to incorporate as well. Not every year will be a down year, but my goal is to protect you if it is. Calculate your income if you were to hit 75% of your sales target and assume that to be your yearly income. Incorporate this into your 3-year average and take your 25% from that number. This creates a small buffer in your predictions for protection.
Have Confidence
There will always be a small level of uncertainty when working in sales. Often, that works in your favor, allowing for more income flexibility, but it's also important to protect the downside. Once you’ve been pre-approved and decided on a monthly mortgage that you can afford and are comfortable with, move forward in the home-buying process with confidence.
References
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. Information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
The 5 Most Influential Books for Sales Professionals
As an avid reader and former sales professional, I’ve read my fair share of sales-related books. Along the way, I have read some truly transformational books. In this post, I wanted to highlight 5 books that cover everything from people skills to handling objections in sales interactions. Diving into these books will undoubtedly level up your sales skills and, in turn, enhance your career.
How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
While not directly related to sales, this is one of my favorite books that I revisit every so often. Dale Carnegie’s book is an easy read that details strategies you can implement into your daily life to improve existing and new relationships. Dale outlines necessary people skills that will directly impact your relationship with customers and, in turn, benefit long-term business relationships. On top of this, his principles, if incorporated outside of work, can improve your personal relationships as well.
Favorite Quote
“To be interesting, be interested.”
Objections by Jeb Blount
I am a fan of every Jeb Blount book I’ve read, but for the sake of variety, I picked my favorite for this list. Jeb specializes in sales writing as he is a successful sales professional himself. The fact that he has lived and worked in the industry validates his writing even more. “Objections” outlines the concept of resistance in sales interactions. He then takes a psychological approach to explaining the best approaches to address and properly sidestep those objections. Given that every sales professional deals with objections daily, this is a must-read.
If you are looking for a deep dive into specific sales material, start by reading all of Jeb’s books.
Favorite Quote
“In every sales conversation, the person who exerts the greatest amount of emotional control has the highest probability of getting the outcome they desire.”
Atomic Habits by James Clear
While all of these books are compelling, “Atomic Habits” just might be the hardest to put down. I am convinced that most people would read the entire book in a day if given the chance. James offers a simple path to improving efficiency by creating good habits and breaking your unwanted ones. While building good habits is essential, we most often benefit from breaking our unproductive cycles. “Atomic Habits” has continued to allow me to assess how I spend my time and focus on the activities that are truly productive.
Favorite Quote
“You should be far more concerned with your current trajectory than with your current results.”
How I Raised Myself from Failure to Success in Selling by Frank Bettger
After a brief stint in professional baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals, Frank went on to a successful career in sales, as well as writing. Similar to Jeb Blount, what I appreciate most about Frank’s writing is the fact that he had lived everything I was experiencing. Despite the significant gap in time from the writing of his book until now, I find the principles in this book to be timeless. Even though time has passed, people still think the same. Frank’s writing discusses the benefits one can gain from self-motivation and a bit of enthusiasm in the workplace.
Favorite Quote
“The most important secret of salesmanship is to find out what the other fellow wants, then help him find the best way to get it.”
Gap Selling by Keenan
“Gap Selling” is one of those books I wish I would have read sooner. Keenan’s main point in the book revolves around finding the gap in your customer's current plan and positioning your product as the best way to resolve that gap. I think that the ability to point out customer inefficiencies while also holding the solution is a powerful tool. Pair this with some of the people skills discussed in “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, and you have a solid foundation for each sales conversation you have.
Favorite Quote
“You don’t close the gap by selling; you close the gap by diagnosing the problem.”
Fiduciary Financial Advisors, LLC is a registered investment adviser and does not give legal or tax advice. The information presented is for educational purposes only and does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any securities. The information contained herein has been obtained from a third-party source which is believed to be reliable but is subject to correction for error. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed. Past performance is not a guarantee or representation of future results.
Financial Planning Feature: Americans' top 5 financial regrets - and how to avoid them
Ben Lex was recently featured in a Financial Planning article titled “Americans' top 5 financial regrets — and how to avoid them”.
In it, he dives into retirement savings and the high interest rates of 2023. Check out Ben’s insights - they’re golden nuggets for leveling up financially.
Pulse Check: Why Healthcare Professionals Should Monitor Their Credit Scores
What are Credit Scores?
Let’s start by first reviewing what a credit score is. It is a number assigned to you by a credit reporting agency that helps creditors obtain a quick snapshot of your creditworthiness. Equifax, Experian, and Transunion are the three main reporting agencies in the United States and the credit score number can range from 300 to 850. (Source: Experian; link below)
When you apply for a credit card, a car loan, insurance, or a home mortgage; the lender is going to look at your credit report & score to help determine if you qualify and meet their standards to get approved. By proactively understanding and taking steps to get your credit score high, you should have a better chance of getting approved for credit in the future.
There are 5 different ratings assigned based on your credit score number.
Poor is considered 300-579
Fair is considered 580-669
Good is considered 670-669
Very Good is considered 740-799
Exceptional is considered 800-850
I would recommend striving to get your credit score to at least Good and if you want the best rates and approval chances then keep going until you get to Very Good or Exceptional.
Factors Contributing to Your Credit Score
Your credit score number is calculated based on six different categories: Payment History, Credit Utilization, Derogatory Marks, Length of Credit History, Total Number of Accounts, and New Credit Inquiries. Payment history, Credit card usage, and Derogatory marks have the highest impact on your credit score so those areas would be the highest priority to focus on. Credit Age has a medium impact on your overall credit score. Total accounts and Hard inquiries have the lowest impact.
Payment History: Your goal should be to have as many on-time payments as possible. The higher the better.
100% on-time payments for excellent
99% for good
98% for fair
97% and below needs work
Credit Utilization: Your goal should be to not use all of the credit that is available to you. The lower the percentage the better
0-9% of credit utilized for excellent
10-29% for good
30-49% for fair
50-100% needs work
Derogatory Marks: These include accounts in collection, bankruptcies, civil judgments, and tax liens. Your goal should be to have as few as possible.
0 is excellent
1 is fair
2+ needs work
Length of Credit History: This is the average age of all your open accounts. This goes up over time but you should be cognizant not to close older accounts that have been open for years or this will decrease.
9+ years is excellent
7-8 years is good
5-6 years is fair
0-4 years needs work
Total Number of Accounts: This is just based on the number of credit accounts you have overall. Having more accounts gives creditors more history and data to evaluate you on.
21+ is excellent
11-20 is fair
0-10 needs work
New Hard Credit Inquiries: If you keep applying for a bunch of different accounts this could be a red flag. Limiting the number of accounts you apply to can help keep your credit score high. This usually looks back over the past 2 years.
0 is excellent
1-2 is good
3-4 is fair
5+ needs work
Why Your Credit Score is Important
Some people like Dave Ramsey are totally against any debt while other people like Robert Kiyosaki say you should take out as much “good” debt as possible. Both of these are extremes and most people probably fall somewhere in the middle, using credit and some debt wisely but not going overboard.
If you are going to use debt during your lifetime then knowing what your credit score is and keeping it high should help you when you apply for a credit card or car loan, get insurance, or buy a home with a mortgage.
I use credit karma to monitor my credit score since they were one of the first companies to offer it free years ago. Nowadays there are a plethora of options to pick from. You are also able to check your full credit report for free once a year at https://www.annualcreditreport.com/index.action
If you don’t know what your credit score is currently, take some time this week to figure it out and see if there is anything you should be doing to improve it.
Sources:
Shout out to Alex Kiel with Macatawa Bank’s Mortgage team for helping me co-write this blog post. She joined their team in 2016. Alex holds her Bachelor’s degree from Davenport University, where she double majored in Marketing and Finance, and played both basketball and golf. When she’s not fitting her customers with the perfect mortgage, Alex cheers on the Detroit Lions, who did quite well this year but unfortunately weren’t able to make it to the Superbowl…next year though! I have also had the privilege of competing with Alex in beach volleyball. 🏐😎
616.502.8044 akiel@macatawabank.com Website
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