Do you have trouble tracking or sticking to a budget? If so, You’re not alone. Many Americans experience stress on a monthly basis when they pay their bills or experience unforeseen situations which always brings unforeseen expenses.
Below are some simple and easy to apply concepts to help you become a better budgeter. Give them a try to help you regain control over your personal finances or household budget:
Read MoreAs the holidays approach and fall is in the air this could aba good time to consider a “No Spend Month”. There are a lot of resources out there on this topic, which should serve to illustrate two points. First, that spending and saving are issues many of us face and sometimes struggle with. Second, a “No Spend Month” is completely do-able. If so many others have completed a “No Spend Month” you can too!!
Read MoreMaking the decision to transition from the workplace to becoming a stay-at-home caregiver can be a scary decision. There are many pros and cons to consider with both choices. Weighing and discussing these options with your spouse/ partner (while potentially difficult at times) will help you both to feel better supported by the other and more financially sound.
Reviewing these four financial considerations before deciding to make the transition can help you lower stress, have a smooth transition into becoming a stay at home parent and will help you down the line should you decide to work or not.
Read MoreHave you and your spouse discussed your retirement plans? In the 2017 study, Age Wave/ Merrill Lynch, “Finances in Retirement: New Challenges, New Solutions” showed that only 16 percent of pre-retirees older than 50 feel prepared for a 20-year retirement.
Personally, I found that to be a truly sobering statistic. As a Certified Financial Planner™ I’ve seen the importance and difference working with a professional to develop and follow a financial plan can make. Also, I know there is a significant need in our country to help individuals plan their finances and retirements. However, I was shocked to see a number less than 20 percent!
Read MoreJust because you have recently graduated from college or are early in your career doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be thinking about your financial future or that you can’t seek help in answering questions you may have. This is the exact time you should be asking questions. First, from a saving for your retirement perspective, the younger you are when you start planning and saving for your retirement the better your chances of having a financially independent retirement age.
But, if you are like many young workers or graduates you feel as if you are unable to save toward many of your life goals. You may be like the many other recent graduates who have higher levels of student loan debt, lower levels of wealth and personal income than any other generation at the same stage in life according to The Pew Research Center. Depending on the type of student loans you have federal (subsidized/ unsubsidized) loans or private loans your repayment options will vary. That only means you need some help to review your student loans to see if you could benefit from refinancing them or help you figure out a plan to begin paying off your loans.
Read MoreRecently, women have been the topic of a lot of financial industry conversations, studies, and white papers in the financial services industry. With women making up slightly over half of the population it seems it is past time for industry professionals to realize the importance of female clients and to begin questioning if their current practices are female friendly.
As a female who has worked in the financial services industry since 2006, I can say the industry as a whole has made several steps to engage more female clients. However, overall the industry still has a long way to go. To the industry’s credit many practicing professionals have read the numerous articles, white papers, and research studies written whose focus has been “Women & Investing” or “How to Communicate with Female Clients” and attended many seminars created that tout, “How to Attract and Retain Female Clients” or “The Opportunity Female Clients Represent”. Still, with all the research and studies as an industry, we are missing the mark.
Read MoreMany employers will grant company stock options to executives and key employees as a way to incentivize them to remain at a company and tie their incentives to increased production/ profitability of the company. If you have received a stock option from your employer you probably have several questions.
To fully understand your benefit, you need know what is an Incentive Stock Optionsor ISO and what the similarities/ differences between Incentive Stock Options (ISOs)and Non-Qualified Stock Option (NQSOs). This knowledge will help you to identify and better manage your options.
Read MoreMany individuals have difficulty understanding how their Social Security Retirement Benefits are calculated and questions about the impact of taking retirement benefits early or waiting receive them.
Providing a retirement plan for your business can be beneficial to both you as an owner and your employees. With the move away from pension plans many individuals will be relying more heavily on their own savings to provide income during retirement. One of the best tools we have to create retirement savings is a plan through their employer.
If you are considering creating a retirement plan for your small business you have several options. Below will be a discussion about a few of those options. This is not an exhaustive list and there may be some plan types that will benefit you more than another. Prior to implementing a plan you should consult with a seasoned professional (financial advisor and tax advisor) who can help you select the plan that will best fit your small business. The contribution limits and tax deductions can vary from plan to plan and year to year. So, it is advised to work with a trusted advisor.
Read MoreFor many small business owners, their business is their biggest asset as well as the largest producer of their family’s income. Business owners are entrepreneurs and are generally more comfortable taking on risks. For these reasons, small business owners face unique challenges when considering and selecting investments for their portfolios, and it’s important to keep in mind some basic investment principals. Not doing so can cause business owners to take on too much risk unnecessarily and can endanger their business and their income.
Here are three tips that small business owners should use to guide their investing decisions:
Read More3556 Beverly Ridge Drive Sherman Oaks, Ca 91423 (805 ) 334-0489
Advisory products and services offered through Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Securities offered and Advisory Products and services available in the following states: California and Alabama. Our financial advisors are registered with FINRA.
FINRA www.finra.org
SIPC www.sipc.org
Brokercheck www.finra.org/brokercheck
ADV 2A | ADV2B | Wrap Fee Brochure | Privacy Policy | Contact | Business Continuity | Website Electronic Services Agreement | Disclosures
© 2016 Castle Wealth Advisors, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
