6 Critical Areas of Financial Advice for Women

With more women working and our income being just as important as our partners for stability of the home, we need to consider:

Who would look after our children if they were seriously injured or died? 

What would happen if we were suddenly unable to work and bring in that income? 

What future plans could not be fulfilled if our income stopped? 

If a mother dies whilst our children are still very dependent, the emotional affects are bad enough but if you work and your income stops then the financial consequences are even greater. 

It is usual, even today, that we still remain responsible for the majority of the child care, the shopping, cooking, cleaning, washing, nursing, booking of doctor and dentist appointments, taxiing to and from school and clubs, organising holidays, birthday parties and presents - you get the idea. To have to employ someone to provide for each of these services and pay for them at a going rate would be astronomical but many women fail to insure ourselves. 

What about illness? Few employers provide any form of sickness protection meaning that in the event of a long term illness, you may receive some form of subsidy (depending on your geographic location and employer) or alternatively, you require private private insurance to cover you.

We all have future financial plans - the holiday we want, the car we are going to buy, when we can afford to retire etc and these are based on an assumption that we will continue to work and have money coming in. So if the money stops being received then these future financial plans can no longer be achieved. So insuring your ability to work and earn is vital. Don't leave it too late. 

Retirement

Traditionally women have neglected our retirement arrangements, relying on our partners to build up sufficient rights to provide for a combined old age. With the increase in divorce and women deciding to remain single the need to provide for our own retirement is now essential. 

In retirement everyone has their own individual personal allowance so even if a woman retires with a significant other, it makes sense for both to have an income that makes use of the tax allowances. A retirement fund is required on so many levels as it is the only savings plan that gives an immediate uplift when invested because the government gives tax relief on top of every individual contribution.  

Put Cash to Work 

It is important to have sufficient money on deposit to cover day to day needs and a little extra for emergencies - the washing machine always knows to break down just as the overdraft limit is reached. But with interest rates being so low large amounts of money should not be left on deposit because it is not working. 

Women tend to be more cautious and can shy away from investments considering them to be complicated and risky. This is not the case, there are interest based investments i.e. low risk, right up to individual stocks and shares in single companies with a wealth of investments in between. 

To make money work it needs to have a spread of investment which will include Cash, but long term it will not keep up with inflation so adding other asset sectors, such as Equities, will offer a better opportunity for real growth over the medium to long term.

Make a Will

So many people think that they do not need a Will because they do not have that much to leave, but a Will is about ensuring that an estate goes where it should on death. It also ensures that any estate is dealt with quickly and efficiently. Dying intestate (without a Will) means that a set procedure is followed for the distribution of assets, which does not necessarily match a person's desired outcome. Also, sorting out a Will is the first step to reducing any inheritance tax liability on the estate.

 After hard work and sensible investing most people want to be able to pass on their assets to the next generation. Unfortunately, there is a limit to what can be passed on before beneficiaries have to pay inheritance tax. There are many ways in which the value of an estate can be reduced but this has to be done with the luxury of time so it is never too early to look at such plans. 

By looking at financial affairs early it is possible to save inheritance tax and ensure that family reap the benefits from assets that have taken a lifetime of hard work to accumulate - don't pay more tax than has to be paid to the tax man.

Get a Power of Attorney 

A lasting power of attorney (POA) defines who is responsible for an individual should they become mentally or physically incapable of dealing with their own finances or day to day needs. It is a simple way of giving peace of mind. Regardless of age, an accident or illness can happen that means that an individual becomes vulnerable. This is when a power of attorney will step in. If a POA is not in existence then legal representatives have to apply to the Courts who appoint a deputy to manage the individual's property etc, this takes time and costs more money all at a time when the family do not need any more hassle. 

As we are all living longer it means that it is now more likely that either our mind and/or body will give up on us. It is never too early to put a POA in place and if there are elderly relatives then POAs should be discussed with them too. 

Get Cashback 

When shopping online instead of going directly to the shop try a link to a 'cashback site'. Online retailers pay the cashback sites for referrals and then the cashback sites will pay part of this to the purchaser; receive money back for something you were going to buy anyway. Never join a site that asks for a payment upfront. Insure yourself and your income to protect those you love, it costs less than most people think and act now to get the benefit of female insurance rates. 

Regardless of what life throws at you safeguard some of your income, reduce your tax liabilities so that life after work  provide what you want it to. Don't accept poor interest rates, you can do better. Don't be frightened of investment, it doesn't have to be risky.  

With careful planning, potential Inheritance Tax liabilities can be considerably reduced or indeed, mitigated completely. 

May you have a long and healthy life, dying without the need of a lasting power of attorney but if it is required the family will be so glad that you have the foresight to deal with it. 

Finally, make the most of what is on offer and get Cashback where you can! 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Zanne_St_John_Marchmont/1416746

Ladies- Why we prefer the safer option of investing in property

Historically, women lacked the resources and confidence to enter the property market, but trends show that as more and more of us women are occupying higher paid jobs, we are becoming more proactive investors and taking charge of our finances.

It has been shown that we have a preference for property investment, when compared to other riskier forms of investing. 

But what is actually driving this pattern for investing? 

Many of us who might previously have felt low in confidence, now have the knowledge and tools to make informed investment and property decisions right at our fingertips. 

We are turning to the internet as the source of our property investment advice. The availability of information has empowered many of us, giving us the initial confidence to take to the property market. 

However, despite the advantages the internet offers, female investors should be aware that nothing can replace the advice of a trusted financial "Fiduciary" professional and obtaining sound investing advice. In addition, we need to also look to Property experts familiar with the local area we are looking to invest in. 

With our increased financial freedom, we are recognising that a man is not the ultimate financial plan, and that we have the ability to plan for our financial future - regardless of our relationship situation. 

We are educating ourselves about investing and choosing the best investment portfolios based on our desires and needs. 

As we are generally perceived as more cautious investors than men, preferring to invest our money in options with lower risk. It is usually because we see the tangible investment of property (as we can see, touch and feel), which we recognise as a more stable and safer investment choice. Money invested in the property market can also provide long-term returns and reliable income through to retirement if managed correctly. 

Property also offers a sense of control and the opportunity to make an investment property our own is also attractive for us women, who are instinctive nurturers by nature. By turning a property into a home, this also contributes to our sense of enjoyment and ownership. 

With property, we also have the option of purchasing a lower-end investment, and through our own personal efforts and investment into home renovations, increase the value of our investment. 

As the number of women in property continues to rise, we pioneering ladies are paving the way for the success of other female investors. Financers, developers and realtors are all taking notice of the trend and providing property options tailored to the needs of women. The property market is no longer a male-dominated investment arena. With our newfound financial freedom, we are growing more proactive with our investments and our confidence is increasing.

Investing our money in the property market can provide a stable, safe return over the long term. This reliability is something we women want and appreciate. 

 Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Kathy_E_Roberts/1202759

Top 10 Keys To Successful Real Estate Investments

When dealing with real estate investments there are many steps to go through before investing. Here are my top 10 keys to a successful real estate investment. 

1) Education 

If you are not experienced in real estate investments the very first thing you should do is to get educated. Take the time to find out what all of the risks are in the investment type you are interested in. Find others that can help educate you on the investment type, which are not involved in the transaction you are doing specifically so there is no conflict of interest. Buy educational material, get connected with online groups and go to multiple seminars in order to continue your education

2) Goal Settings 

If you do not have a goal lined out for your real estate investments how do you plan on getting there? Most investors buy one property, or invest based on emotion rather than having a set goal in mind. For example, you could have a goal of obtaining $30,000 per month in passive rental income from your investments through buying single family rental homes and apartment buildings. Your goals should be clearly defined and should include protections and risk mitigation techniques to make sure it is a stable viable plan that can be obtained

3) Building Your Resources

You WILL NOT become a successful real estate investor without resources. In real estate resources include, capital investors, property leads, team members and much more. For this you must expand your relationship base. Real estate is a team sport so if you do not build your network, you cannot build your team

4) Building Your Team 

In order to make your investments work you must build your team. Some of the team members you need are Real Estate Agents, Brokers and Bankers, Private Lenders, Appraisers, CPA's, Attorney's, Affiliates, Inspectors, Property Managers and Contractors. There are much more but it's pretty impossible to name them all. It takes quite a bit of time to develop your team and make sure they can be relied upon. Building a team is the most important aspect of investing other than your due diligence on the investment itself

 5) Due Diligence

Before investing in any real estate asset your due diligence is crucial. You need to analyse the market your investing in, the market timing relative to that market, the specific neighborhood, the market value of the investment, the cash flow it produces, the rental income it should bring in, all of the expenses related to the investment and much more. 

Inspections should be done as well as review of all of the backup documentation such as leases and contracts. Think like an auditor, review all of the backup information provided by the seller and verify it with an outside source as much as possible. I hear horror stories all the time about how people lost money in real estate. After inquiring as to what happened I can say that 99% of the time the investor did not do or know how to do the right due diligence on the investment in the first place. 

6) Property Management

Property management can make or break your investment. If you do not have a competent property manager that actually cares about your investment and your success you will have a losing investment. 

Most managers are bad at some of the basic management functions such as accounting, rent collection, tenanting, leasing and background checks, repair calls and taking care of the tenant. By far the most important and biggest problem is communication with the owner of the property. 

Communication is crucial because without communication the investor cannot make decisions regarding the investment and lack control. Property management also needs to be structured based on performance, meaning, they get paid if it's occupied only, not when it's vacant and there are incentives in place to optimise performance. 

7) Marketing 

If you do not know how to market for property, capital, property sales, and resources you will not be successful in real estate. Marketing and sales is one of the most important parts of any business. 

During economic problems and recessions most companies cut back on marketing when it's most important to increase your marketing efforts. If there are less investors, buyers, and resources available because of the economy, there is more of your competition going after your resources. So in order to attract those resources before your competition you have to market more. 

Marketing and sales is a business all in itself so getting educated on marketing strategies is imperative to your success. If you do not understand it or start to learn about internet marketing you will not gain the market share you deserve and will not be as successful. 85% of buyers go online first for investments. 

8) Treat Your Investments As a Business 

Most investors buy one real estate investment and do not fully utilise all of its capabilities from a business perspective. If you own one property or 50+ properties you should be treating it as a business. Be sure to keep track of ALL of your expenses related to the investment, the due diligence you did, travel costs you incurred, etc so that you can get a deduction for those items against income from other sources. 

These types of expenses can happen annually and a percentage of your personal expenses can be used as a tax loophole in order to deduct more against your active income from your job. Your biggest expense in life is your taxes. It is the government's job to find more creative ways to tax us. It is our job to find creative ways to legally not pay taxes. If you are not winning against the government, start to educate yourself on key tax saving strategies. 

9) Legal Protection And Tax Structuring 

It is crucial that you protect yourself from financial predators. There are people out there that will sue anyone they possibly can. It's really important to obtain insurance or put your assets into a proper entity so that you are not liable in frivolous lawsuits. 

Please consult your individual tax advisor to go over your specific situation. Also be sure to keep yourself separate financially from the investment or entity you hold the investment in so that you do not pierce the corporate veil. If you co-mingle your funds there is a very real possibility that in court your legal entity protection that you worked so hard to setup is worthless. 

10) Investing In Sustainable Investment Types 

Invest in asset types and real estate investments that are sustainable in the long run. Look closely at the cash flow included in the investment. 

Flipping can be much more dangerous than investing for cash flow because you typically have a payment on a flip investment that is not covered fully by the rental income and if you get stuck with the property you find yourself in a negative cash flow situation and can only sustain as long as you have money in the bank that can make that payment. Many people lose a lot of money trying to flip property, not knowing fully what they are doing and the risk they are taking only to lose a significant amount of money. 

On the other side when you are investing for cash flow only invest in quality assets. Typically if you invest in low end assets in your market you get low end tenants also. What I consider a low end tenant is someone that does not pay the rent on time if at all, causes damage to your property and is a nightmare to deal with. This happens quite frequently in low end property for a particular market. 

You want to invest in quality long term assets that are going to produce positive monthly cash flow and make you a great return on investment after you have been conservative with the numbers. I truly believe if you do these things along with increasing your financial IQ you will be successful if you work hard for it. 

Most of the wealthy individuals in the world work hard for their money and are constantly evaluating their financial situation and investment goals. Putting a personal budget together and reviewing it monthly, creating additional income sources, implementing tax savings strategies, protecting your money from financial predators and constantly educating yourself are the keys to becoming wealthy. 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Mathew_P_Owens/916588 © 2021

Six Finance Tips to Money, Wealth, Financial Security and Personal Finances

 Today everyone wants their money to be safe and secure. However, the financial world is growing more unstable and our needs are changing at a rapid pace. The necessity for individuals and families to save and manage their money has never been greater, harder and it is not getting any easier. Managing a budget, saving and investing your money wisely is the immense subject on everyone's mind. Saving money has become extremely hard today. You should save for retirement, save for your kids' college education, save in case you get laid off and save just to create a sense of comfort. 

Have you looked at your finances lately? The process of saving money, create wealth and achieving all of your financial goals start with the awareness what personal finance is. Personal finances are not about cashing your payroll check, paying your bills and meeting all of your monthly obligations. It is about having enough money saved in order to meet all of your financial goals in life. 

Money is a medium of exchange, but the lack of money adds to great emotional stress in our lives. Take control of your finances immediately by reviewing the following tips provided.

Today is an excellent time to start reviewing your finances and put together a good financial program with goals that fits your financial needs. After you review your finances, take immediate action and make some positive adjustments. Do not try to take care of it by yourself. Make sure all of your family members know about your plans and they can assist you in meeting all of your financial goals. An important issue is to measure your results and make all possible changes needed. When you and your family achieve all of the goals, reward yourselves. Rewards are always great motivators. Start Today.

Six Personal Finance 

Tips 1. It is not what you earn, it is what you save. Save at least 10% or more of your net earning from every paycheck. The important issue is to spend less than what you earn. Do not go beyond your means. 

2. To maintain a good savings account take control of your spending. A good spending plan, not a budget, will let you know where you are spending. Decide on what you want to spend your money on in advance and keep track of all of your monthly transactions. From there you will know what your spending habits are. 

3. Is your Bank meeting your needs? Possibly you might need to look at another bank that offers a much greater savings and or investment program. Today, Online Banks offer great investment programs.

 4. Apply and use credit cards that offer 0% for 12 months or more. Every monthly payment that you make will go directly to the balance and not to the high interest. When the 0% intro program is about to expire review what the interest rate will be. If the rate after that period is 10% or more, apply for another 0% credit card and transfer the remaining balance. Keep this process and you will never make an interest payment. 

5. Buy a home. Your best investment is your home but only if you get a low interest rate mortgage. If the current interest rate is 2% lower than your present rate, refinance and lower your monthly payment.

 6. The only possible way to build wealth is to determine a percentage of your income that you are willing to invest every year. 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Alfredo_Valenzuela/795153

Contracts and Agreements - How to Protect Your Finances

This article is about contracts and agreements e.g. rental agreement, mortgage agreement, loan from family member or friend, credit card agreement, hire purchase agreement etc... and what you should be looking for to protect yourself and your assets. 

These are the kinds of agreements that affect most of us whether we have limited funds or a great deal of money. 

Whether we are making these contracts and agreements with people we love and trust or whether we are making them with strangers. There are some simple rules of thumb that we should all be looking at as they apply to most of us. 

Historically, most countries did not recognise women's rights to own property. You could not get a mortgage or credit without your husband's permission. 

If you wanted to know about money, we were told not to worry our pretty little heads - so it became the man's job to worry about money and the woman's job to take care of his personal needs and to be the heart of the house. He worked, he provided for their needs, she took care of the children, the household chores and her husband's needs. Consequently when a husband died or divorced her or just disappeared, she was left not knowing how to balance a chequebook, not knowing what her mortgage rates were, or how responsible she was for paying that mortgage down. She had no knowledge of insurance and was often left without insurance coverage for herself and her family. As far as her car was concerned, she knew how to put the key in the ignition and get to the nearest service station.

 Nowadays, women are in top positions in corporations but many of us still have our husband's making the major decisions on things like insurance, mortgage rates, investments, medical coverage and pension plans. 

It still occurs that when a woman gets into a relationship, she's always given her husband/partner dominion over her assets. 

She could come into a marriage with a house completely in her name and once she gets married and he wants to be put on the title to it, she doesn't question it. 

Women are also known to take the softer view. I love him, everything we have is ours. We share and share alike. I should be putting the house in both of our names. WRONG, wrong, wrong. 

If he wants to be put on the title, or you want him to be put on the title, get 3 evaluations of the house and let him give you his share of the money for that house. After all if you are going into a business partnership and someone wants to buy into your business, you would have your business valued at current prices, and that partner would have to buy in cash at the current value. A house is no different. Once he is on that title, he can do anything with that house, he can take out loans against it, and he can walk out on you, or he can mortgage it to the hilt and die leaving you with debt. 

The same can be true of a man who owns property, but men usually cover themselves with pre-nuptial agreements. Us women, historically have not been that smart. However, we have got smarter in recent years, generally our emotions are engaged so quickly and so deeply, we often have to be reminded to protect our assets. 

The same thing holds true if you own your own house and your spouse wants you to sell it so that you can move into a larger place - once again, that partner should be compensating you with the value of his or her share of the house before you sell it. Because if the marriage falls apart, either way you would lose out because when it comes to a division of assets - you only own half of the new house and none of the house that you had in your own name before the partnership. 

For example, I knew someone who had her own home that she had bought with her own money and had been living there for a number of years and that house was almost paid off. Then she got married. The new husband moved in. A few months later, he decided he didn't want to live in that house. He wanted them to sell it and live in another house. After their divorce 15 years later, all she was able to get was half of the new house and nothing of the house that she had originally. When you are dealing with monies, even if you are in a deep relationship, with a family member, a friendship, your spouse and you trust the other person deeply. You have had a lot of experience over the years and you think to yourself that you don't need a written agreement - think again. You can never tell if or when the other person is going to back off and leave you with the debts and responsibilities or if the other person is going to sell off their half of the partnership leaving you unprotected. 

You may trust this person wholeheartedly and may never had cause to doubt them - but circumstances can and often do change. For example, I knew a guy who had been having marital problems with his wife. All his money was tied up with hers and in their house. He was advised by a counsellor to start saving money in a different bank account from where he and his wife had an account, a bank she knew nothing about. On New Years Day after everyone had left after a party, she threw him out of the house and would not allow him to come back. Luckily, he had put some money aside in a separate bank account. Had he not done this, he would not have had the money for a month's deposit on a lease and he would have been out in the street. 

If you have a quote from a builder with materials included, their suppliers could go out of business, the builders costs could go up and your costs could go up accordingly. If you want to protect yourself on materials, open up an account at a builder's merchant so that you can buy the materials yourself and you can get the most competitive prices. That way, when your builder is quoting you prices for labour, you know you are just paying for labour and you can negotiate his labour costs, especially now when construction work is in such short supply.

So as you can see, on a personal and a professional level, you always need a written agreement. 

You can be in a romantic relationship or a marriage and all of a sudden your partner goes to the bank and draws all your money and you are left with all the debts. And no matter how much you love someone, where there is money involved, make sure everything is spelled out really well. Make sure your lawyer has covered everything and you are not leaving any loopholes. 

For example, I knew someone who had been married for 25 years and their only daughter was getting married. The wedding was very expensive and as soon as they got home from their daughter's wedding, she started preparing for bed. She sees her husband has a suitcase and he is emptying his drawers out into the suitcase. What are you doing? I am packing, I'm leaving you. I just wanted to wait until our daughter got married and was out of the house so I could leave you. I have found someone else. After 25 years of marriage, he just walked out and left her with a pile of debts. 

If you being asked to sign anything e.g. a husband of 30 years - make sure a lawyer checks the paperwork. Ensure that someone can explain it to you and don't be led like a lamb to the slaughter. In the end that partner may leave you, divorce you or die and may leave you with a lot of debt. You need to know what you are going to be responsible for. 

Another important point to remember is that if anyone wants you to sign papers quickly, your answer has to be NO. Don't ever allow yourself to be rushed into a financial agreement. No matter how good the deal might sound, you need time to assess whether it is right for you.

If you are ever asked to sign a lease, or a mortgage with your partner or spouse, make sure you understand it thoroughly. Make sure you can afford it. People have a tendency when they sign a lease or a mortgage to figure out how much they can afford to spend each month. What they DON'T calculate into these costs is a failing economy, or one or both of the partners being laid off or fired and they are out of work for an extended period of time and cannot find other employment. 

So if you are contemplating signing a lease or a mortgage with a partner, make sure you calculate it for just one income, because if you are basing it on two incomes in this economy you may find that you do not have enough money to cover the rent or the mortgage. 

Don't be embarrassed to tell your spouse or business partner that you want to speak to a lawyer to have him go over the fine print with you. When signing a legal document, many people don't bother to read the fine print - or if they do bother to read the fine print, they don't understand all the details. Wherever your money is being spent, that's where you need to be very vigilant about your role in protecting it. 

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Barbara_Goldsmith/416795

What Women Need To Know About Money

Life is definitely more than just about money. There are so many things to know about money. The list is endless, but here are a list of important things you as a woman should know about money:

1. Men and Women are Different

Understand that men and women are different in how we use money, how we feel about money, and how we communicate about money. In most relationships one partner will be the spender and one will be a saver. Understand the differences of each and take the positives of both personalities to make the most out of your money and your relationship. Set time aside each month to have a "money date." A money date is once or twice a month where you and your spouse go over your finances together. You can use this time to pay bills, review your expenses, review your investments and to use this time to understand and appreciate how you and your spouse view money. Discuss your monthly spending and saving. If you are single, your money date can be with either researching yourself or alternatively with a Financial Advisor.

If women stay at home to care for the kids, on average they stay at home for 11 ½ years. That is 11 ½ years that they don't have money going into a retirement plan or social security. Also, it costs more as women to live. Just look at drycleaning. Women's shirts cost more than men's. What about haircuts? Women's haircuts cost more than men. Also, women live on average 7 years longer than men. Plus women tend to care for others before they care for themselves.

Also, we as women tend to be more conservative investors. A recent Bloomberg survey reported that female investors outperformed male investors by 55 percent in the past nine years. Another is our income. Studies show that women still earn 76 cents for every dollar that a man earns. This is one of the reasons women start their own businesses two times the rate that men do. Another scary statistic is that 55% of women over 65 are widows and their income is $9,366.00 a year! So, to sum it up we have a lot going against us, but we are smarter investors.  

2. Have A Cushion

Any financial coach/advisor/research online is going to tell you that you want a minimum of 3 months worth of income set aside for emergencies. This is for if you lose your job, car accident, medical emergencies, etc. Focus on where you are at financially and if you lost your income how long you could live off your savings. The main focus point is to make sure that your money is working hard enough for you. It is important to have the money in an account that earns interest. If you have your liquid money in a checking account or underneath your mattress it is earning no interest. Money that is liquid is immediately accessible to you such as in a checking or savings account. But, ideally in an insured money market account - some place where you can earn the most interest on your money but still keeping it liquid.

3. Know One Rule

The Rule of 72 is a simple formula that helps you understand how fast money grows and how assets appreciate. If you divide 72 by the interest rate that you are earning on your money, you will find out how many years it takes for your money to double. For example, if over the last seventy years the stock market produced an average return of 10.4%, you round that down to 10% and plug it into the formula, and you will find that your money should be doubling every 7.2 years. The Rule of 72 is a mathematical concept and is not a guarantee of investment performance or a predictor of investment results. It is simply an approximation of the impact a targeted rate of return would have. There is no assurance an investment will double in value.

4. Save Money Monthly and Buy SMART Assets

The more money you can set up in an automatic investment program the easier it may be to save. If you are like me and when you have money in your purse, you may spend it. With automatic investment programs, you are able to save as little as $25 a week or month and have the money come directly out of a checking or savings account. The goal is to buy things that produce income. That is the whole goal. The goal is that you accumulate enough assets so that you do not have to go to work and take your time to earn your money. The goal is that you accumulate enough assets that you can live off of them. Examples of these assets include businesses, rental property, stocks, and most bonds. Consider buying assets that are expected to produce cash flow, but do not require daily management. This can help you attempt to build and preserve your wealth. 

5. Know Your Money

 Money is simply a vehicle to get you to where you want to go. Take control of your vehicle and control your path and destination. The one thing women are great at is relationships. Your relationship with money is important. One of the things you can do to feel more in control of your money is to take time to attend seminars on money and investing. Learn what assets are and how they work. Use this educational time to then relate it to your own financial situation. 

Know the three basic types of investments: stocks, bonds, and cash. 

What is a stock? A stock is a share of ownership in a corporation.
What is a bond? Think of a bond like a loan. You take your money, loan it out to someone and in a number of years you will get your money back plus interest. What is cash? Cash is liquid money. Cash is your money in a money market, savings account, and in your purse.

6. Happiness in Retirement

The first step in saving for retirement is to answer these two questions.

• At what age do you want to retire?
• How much income do you want when you retire?

If you can tell me how much you have saved up so far and the answer to these two questions, I can tell you if you are on track towards retirement. Or if you are not on track. And if not on track, I can tell you how much you need to save every month to get on track. There are a number of different vehicles that you can use to save for retirement such as 401K, IRA, Superannuation, Pension, ISA

7. Investing Makes Sense

When it comes to investing we need to find balance. The balance can come by spreading risk over time. There are many different types of things to invest in such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, exchange traded funds, structured CD's, and so many more types of investments. Either seek out a financial advice/research online for they can help you to have investing make sense.

8. Helping Kids

How to help your kids be happy with money is by talking about your values and what is important to you about your money. I encourage you to give yourself and your kids an allowance. I also recommend setting up a family fund. With a family fund, you as a family come up with a goal for your money; as a parent, you can offer a matching program. The goal could be a trip or a new toy. So, for example, if your daughter puts in $1.00 to the family fund, you could match her 50 cents. This way she can learn about finance so that when she starts her first job she understands the concept of money and investing. There are many options available for saving for kids for college such as a 529 Plan and IRA.


9. Plan For Your Estate

Estate planning is a topic that sometimes people do not like to talk about. Who likes to plan for their death? Estate planning can be crucial unless your plan is to die broke. I encourage you to set up a will or trust. The woman that is organized, and truly wealthy plans for when she will no longer be around. 

The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which investment(s) may be appropriate for you. Stock investing involves risk including loss of principal. Bonds are subject to market and interest rate risk if sold prior to maturity. Bond values will decline as interest rates rise and bonds are subject to availability and change in price.

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