4 Reasons to Meet with a Financial Planner before Deciding to Retire

Whenever you are looking to manage your finances, you will benefit by working with a financial planner. This is a professional that specializes in providing advice, guidance, and education to people who are looking to get more out of their financial situation. 

With a financial planner, you will be able to make sure that you are on the right track in terms of saving for retirement and managing your finances wisely. There are a few good reasons to work with a financial planner. As a result, using a financial planner can ensure that you are financially secure for the rest of your life.

SAVE FOR RETIREMENT MORE EFFECTIVELY

One of the reasons why you should meet with a financial planner before you retire is to help you save for retirement more effectively. While you can invest and save for retirement yourself, you may miss out on things that can allow you to increase your savings. 

A financial planner can help introduce you to investment options that can help enhance your wealth. If you already have a sufficient amount of savings, a financial planner can also help you with private wealth management as well.

BETTER UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU INVEST IN

Meeting with a financial planner before you retire can also allow you to better understand what you invest in. Whenever you are looking to invest in something, you may be unsure about how it works and how it can benefit you. 



A financial planner can educate you on how things such as stocks, bonds, and annuities work. As a result, you will be in a better position to know which investment options will best meet your needs.

HELP YOU PLAN YOUR FINANCES

Another reason to meet with a financial planner is that they can help you plan your finances more efficiently. They can help you set up a budget to pay your expenses. 

Financial planners can also help you find ways to pay off debts more quickly as well. A financial planner can give you advice on how to manage debts, whether it is a good idea to get a car loan and/or how paying off your mortgage will benefit you.

PREPARE FOR UNEXPECTED EVENTS

Financial planners can help you prepare for unexpected events. There are times when you might have something such as a medical bill or a job loss that can prevent you from reaching your retirement savings goals. As a result, you will benefit from having a professional guide you through this situation. 

A financial planner can help you develop a budget to cope with a job loss and/or a medical debt. With their assistance, you will be in a better position to get through these unexpected events that can affect your financial situation.

Managing your finances can be a bit complicated at times. Whenever you are unsure about how to allocate your financial resources, it is beneficial to get professional assistance. You will benefit by working with a financial planner. 

This professional will guide you through the process of setting up retirement accounts, finding the best things to invest in and also give you advice on how to oversee all of your financial affairs.

Do Multiple Bank Accounts Make Finances Easier to Manage?

It isn’t unheard of for people to open and maintain multiple bank accounts. If you want to handle your financial situation well, multiple bank accounts may be something to seriously consider. Maintaining several banks accounts at the same time can in some cases be extremely practical. It offers advantages that can simplify the handling of finances.

Multiple Bank Accounts Can Provide You with Diversification Advantages

Having multiple bank accounts can be suitable for individuals who are interested in financial diversification. People should refrain from safeguarding their assets in single spots. This can often be a major no-no. 

Note, too, that asset diversification can be advantageous to people who want to enhance the coverage they receive from federal deposit insurance plans they have in place.

Multiple Bank Accounts Can Be Suitable for Individuals Who Have Substantial Balances

If you’re equipped with any bank accounts that have comparatively substantial balances, then keeping track of multiple options may be up your alley. Putting money in different locations can sometimes be beneficial for individuals who are looking to steer clear of perhaps going beyond various insurance restrictions, too.

Multiple Bank Accounts Enable You to Distinguish between Your Checking and Savings Accounts Easily

If you’re looking into opening a savings account, you should do some research in advance. Maintaining numerous bank accounts enables individuals to keep their checking and saving accounts apart. 

It isn’t uncommon for people to access their savings accounts for purposes that have nothing to do with gathering money for later times, however. If you want to dodge that typical pitfall, getting other bank accounts can be intelligent.

Multiple Bank Accounts Can Be Terrific for People Who Struggle with Choices

Some people struggle with choices. It can be hard for some people to make choices regarding orders at dining establishments. It can be hard for some people to make choices that relate to their financial situations, too. 

If you open several bank accounts, you can test them all thoroughly. Assessing various financial institutions can help you assess quality. It can help you assess everything from representative behavior to feature convenience.

Handling finances can be a huge hassle for many people in this world. It’s something that people have to do, however. If you want to make taking care of your finances as simple as possible, you should look into maybe opening several bank accounts. Some of the savviest finance gurus around advocate the concept of keeping more than one bank account.

How to Manage Your Finances and Trust Funds Like a Professional

Research from the reputable financial giant Bankrate indicates that significantly more Americans drink coffee on a daily basis than own stock market investments, 61% to 48%, respectively. 

About one-quarter of United States citizens are fortunate enough to inherit money through trust funds. As indicated, not everybody can afford to invest money, meaning those who can and do stow away money for themselves and others are of fortunate financial position. 

It's easy for people to ruin their finances and trust funds, causing financial ruin and worry in their own, and others', lives. Here are several tips for managing personal finances, just as a professional would.

Focus on Retirement Accounts Early On

Some retirement accounts are matched dollar-for-dollar by employers. Investing in these accounts, most notably the 401(k) plan, earns extra income by simply saving it in a retirement account. 

These plans should be matched until employer's maximum contribution amounts are reached. While such investments don't earn interest over time, unlike stocks, bonds, and mutual funds, employer matching is nearly always more valuable for your interim and long-term financial position. 



If your employer offers multiple retirement accounts, invest in them until employers won't fund any further - it's unarguably worthwhile.

Decide if Trust Funds are Worth Using

Individuals with little disposable income shouldn't stash away assets into trust funds, unless they're 100 percent, positively, absolutely sure that money wouldn't better serve any purposes in the owner's lifetime. 

Some companies, such as Home State Bank, know that trust funds can provide lifetimes of financial support for beneficiaries that inherit them. However, the most important aspect of considering a trust fund is timing. 

If you have a high income, with mountains of disposable income laying around, trust funds can reduce which tax bracket you're in. Situations not benefiting significantly from such a tax break aren't ideal for trust funds.

Don't Invest in Single Stocks

Stock performance depends directly on that company's financial performance. As such, purchasing one, two, or five stocks isn't a good idea. 

Rather, consider investing in shared, fully-diversified mutual funds, but only if retirement accounts are fully funded and plenty of low-risk assets are owned.

State Income Tax Matters

Everyone in America must be federal taxes. However, those in certain states, like Florida or Tennessee, aren't subject to state income taxes. 

These rates can be as high as California's 13-plus percent. As such, move to states without income taxes as soon as possible.

Money is an integral part of life. Unfortunately, few people don't know how to properly manage their finances. 

Don't get into trust funds unless you're loaded, aim to diversify stock investments - that's if you're set on low-risk investments - and make sure to create and closely adhere to budgets and plans.

5 Ways to Manage Your Finances During A Divorce

Photo by Freddie Collins on Unsplash

Divorce is not only a devastating experience for families, but it can be a costly one as well. The average cost of divorce in the U.S. ranges from $15,000 to $20,000, and the majority goes to divorce lawyers’ fees. 

Apart from legal fees, there are also alimony payments, the division of assets, and possible taxes, and costs can go even higher. For your peace of mind and to get your life back on track, it’s important to find ways to manage your finances and pay the bills during a divorce.

Common financial issues of divorce

There are several financial issues that need to be resolved during a divorce. First is the division of property, and both you and your ex will have to come to an agreement over who gets which items. Another is the division of debt. 

Often, this issue is one of the most difficult things to resolve as couples can find it hard to determine who is responsible for certain debts incurred during the marriage. You’ll also need to agree on tax issues such as who gets to claim Head of Household status or who gets tax exemption for dependents once you’re divorced. 



Divorce itself can be emotionally stressful, but it’s imperative to take concrete steps to resolve these financial issues during this trying time. Here are 5 ways to manage your finances during a divorce.

Consult with a reputable divorce attorney

Consulting with an experienced divorce attorney can provide you with the financial guidance that you need during this challenging time. 

Even if you are in good terms with your soon-to-be ex, you will need a lawyer to help you avoid making typical financial mistakes during a divorce. Moreover, your lawyer can help you in case a financial dispute arises.

Create a new budget

You will need to figure out how much income you should make for you to live on your own. To do this, list down your expenses, utility bills, credit card bills, investments, tax records, family life insurance policies, and the like. 

Determine which items you and your ex can pay off during your divorce and pay your debts. You should also make sure that your ex pays the bills that he or she promises to pay.

Open your own personal credit card

During the divorce, Katherine Grier, PC advises that you close any joint accounts to avoid financial disputes and problems from coming up. This way, you and your ex can work on paying only the debts that you incurred during your marriage. After you close your joint accounts, you should open your own personal credit card or other lines of credit.

Monitor your credit score

During your divorce, it’s likely that your credit scores will drop as you close accounts and make other changes in your finances. Check if any mistakes were made by a creditor which contributed to your lower credit score or if there’s any debt on certain accounts that were incurred without your knowledge.

Be prepared to make a lifestyle change

Now that your income will be drastically different, it’s important to be prepared for a lifestyle change during your divorce. Keep in mind that divorce will bring in new expenses and you will no longer be sharing household overhead costs with another person. It’s also important to talk to your children about the lifestyle changes that may take place during this time.

Divorce is tough enough without having to worry about your finances, but it’s one of the major hurdles that you have to get through to get your life back on track. Remember to consult your lawyer, keep track of debts and expenses, and be ready to make a few lifestyle adjustments to manage your finances well during your divorce.

Road to Recovery: How to Take Care of Your Personal Finances After a Major Accident

A major accident can derail your life in several ways. Not only is your daily routine and ability to work impacted, you may also have changes in your lifestyle, interpersonal relationships and even your love life with your partner. 

After a major accident, handling your personal finances is a crucial step to ensure your future, including your retirement and investments. Here are some aspects you'll want to handle as soon as you're able.

Automate Your Monthly Bill Payments

After a major accident, you may need surgery, physical therapy and rehabilitation to heal your injuries. The last thing you need is a late or entirely forgotten mortgage payment or car lease. 

Set up automatic payment so there is no chance of a late or missed installment. This will protect your credit rating and give you peace of mind during recovery, in addition to avoiding late fees.

Get Legal Representation

No one really thinks to get legal representation to help them with their finances after a major accident because they think getting a lawyer will damage their finances further. If your accident was the result of someone else's negligence or malice, you may be entitled to a settlement. 

Find out what your rights are by contacting a lawyer such as Pritzker Law or another local law firm. If you're approached by legal counsel representing the other party, sign nothing until you secure counsel of your own and get guidance. You could accidentally sign away your rights to a settlement or, worse, take blame upon yourself. 

You want to make sure that you get out of this situation as cleanly as possible with as much money in your bank account as possible to cover your expenses and recovery after your accident.

Find All of Your Insurance

Depending on the accident and the extent of your injuries, you may qualify for short or long-term disability payments, loss-of-income insurance or other related payments. 

If you've lost a digit, a limb, sight or partial sight or suffered other permanent disfigurement, you may already be insured for that through your employer, life insurance policy or even insurance offered by your credit card company. Read the fine print and find all the insurance you are entitled to collect.

Draw up a New Budget

You wallet is going to take a hit after being hit in a major accident. After an accident, your needs and expenditures will likely change a lot. You may not need to buy coffee and lunch every day if you're not heading into work, but you may instead require copays for doctor visits, physical therapy or prescription medications. 

You may not need to sign up for the next season of ballroom dancing lessons, but you may need more fuel since you can't walk to the store like you used to. Don’t forget about your insurance payments too that you will likely have to make in order to have proper coverage otherwise you will end up paying for your medical bills out of pocket. 

Those bills can become very expensive very quickly. Consider your new limitations and needs, then draw up a realistic budget. This will help you keep tabs on your spending. Save as much money as you can. 

Cut anything from your budget that isn’t important for you to have at this time. You can always pick those amenities back up later.

A major accident is a life-changing event with big ramifications. By handling your personal finances as soon as possible, you can ensure your retirement and financial future will stay on track.

Manage your Money to Improve your Lifestyle

To make your living standard higher and to fulfill all your desires and needs the first thing you require to do is to manage your finance properly. Now money is something that should be used in a proper manner if you wish to improve your lifestyle. The first thing you need to do list your house and business expenses. 

By following this procedure you can save some money by eradicating the dissipate desires. It is essential for an individual to understand the concept of credit toil and mortgages; this will help the person to stay away from debts and other legal problems. If you wish to know more about economics, than there are several websites that provide complete information on budget planning.

Now the user should be very careful while providing personal information to these online firms. Here for planning or managing your budget you need to provide the account details. Therefore before relying on any of these budget sites it is necessary to do some homework and look out for an accurate one, as there are chances of getting cheated. Now the links which are genuine will charge some amount for the services provided, once the payment is done, software will be provided to the user. 

This software will allow the user to manage his/her personal funds, credit cards and bank accounts. If an individual prefers using a free site than he/she will get limited information plus the user will not get wide-ranging support and help. Users of the budget calculators and planners can have a regular check on their expenditures and savings. They can observe all their transactions this will give them a clear picture of how and where the money is being used. 

Once you are clear about the money saving concept, you can live a good and a high profiled lifestyle. Now if you are running a business the basic things that are be taken for consideration are set up a book to manage your credit stipulations and maintain the bank account to record of all financial transactions. By using online budget software you can easily manage all your financial transactions without assistance.

Now if you want to have a good control on your hard earnings apart from the above mentioned remedies, you must also try to eradicate few unusual activities. This may spoil your health and you can disturb your budget by spending more on medical treatment. If you are not concerned about your health then you can waste all your money on medicines and treatment. 

There are many ways to come out of this trouble like you can look out for a good health insurance plan and invest a handful of your income on any good and liable insurance scheme. This will protect you and your family from unexpected trouble. 

To stop misuse of money you can give up some unusual habits like drinking or smoking.The price of cigarettes has risen dramatically over the past few years. Government taxes on cigarettes are exorbitant. If you total how much you would spend on cigarettes per week, you would then see how much your smoking vice is costing you per year. For smokers, insurance policies are also more expensive. A good idea would be to replace regular cigarettes with electronic cigarettes which cost less and also doesn't contain toxins and harmful chemicals, the major cause of lung cancer.

7 Rules to Better Manage Your Money

 Every game has rules; managing and saving money are no different. Rules are a good thing; they set boundaries and keep people out of trouble, provided the rules are followed. By adding the rules that follow in this article, you can bet that your financial situation will improve. Here are 7 rules to to manage your money more wisely.

1. Needs vs. Wants 

If we all limited ourselves to our true needs, most of our money problems would disappear. After all, we don't really need much: food, water, shelter, and some company. At the same time, there are a variety of ways to satisfy those needs. For example, we can choose to eat beans every night or we can have a steak. There's also a difference between a tent and a $5 million home. 

Most material things in this world are entirely optional, and most of us have limited resources. Make sure you're not buying more than you need.

2. Don't spend new money 

New money is a raise or a financial windfall. You were already surviving without that money so don't expand your lifestyle to accommodate your new income. In general, we are not miserable because we don't have a new car or a bigger house; we are miserable because we can't pay our bills on time. Invest all the increases in your income and someday you can buy all the stuff you want. 

3. There is always an opportunity cost. 

Every decision has a cost, even if it's just the loss of other options. Buying a new car means the money for the car payments can't be used for something else. Going to college can cost four years of income. Always look at what you're giving up and decide if it's worth it. 

4. It's all about supply and demand. 

Consider that our income is largely determined by supply and demand. A brain surgeon makes a lot of money because when her skills are needed, the demand is extremely high. There are also relatively few people with her skill set. If you're easy to replace, your income is probably not as great as you would like. Always look for ways to make yourself irreplaceable. 

5. Understand risk. 

T-bills don't pay very well because the risk is minimal, perhaps next to zero. Stocks, on the other hand, pay much better on the average. However, stocks are more risky, too. Always consider the risk to your money and compare that with the expected return. Ask yourself, "Is the return I'm likely to get worth the risk?"

6. Understand the time value of money. 

Would you receive $100 today or $100 in 5 years? It is far better to receive $100 today. You could invest it or save it and start earning interest. Be sure to consider the time horizon for your investments. Here is some more information on the time value of money. The math can get complicated, but don't give up! 

7. Compound interest is an amazing thing. 

If you invested a single penny and were able to double it every day, in a month you would have over $10 million! The key is to leave your investments alone; don't take the money out and spend it. You'll be surprised just how quickly it can grow if you can just leave it alone. 

Anyone that keeps these 7 rules in mind will be handsomely rewarded in the future. If you're not already following all the rules, pick one and start today. Add a new rule each month until you're fully up to speed. Your bank account will thank you.

Melissa Wood contributes as an editor at RateSupermarket.ca. Obsessed with finding small ways to save money every day, she enjoys sharing her frugal lifestyle to the MoneyWise Blog. Read more about Melissa on her Google+ page.

6 Ways You and Your Spouse Can Manage Your Finances Together

Money is one of the leading causes of conflict in marriages today. This touchy subject often stays on the sidelines till after a couple has said "I do," only to rear its ugly head later. Managing your money as a team can do wonders for both your financial and marital health. 

Set Specific Goals Together

Many marriages have both a spender and a saver. If you work together to come up with achievable financial goals, your differences can balance each other out. It's important for both partners to share the same financial goals in order for your family to reach them together. Identify all your goals, large and small. This may range from saving for a house to maintaining a grocery budget large enough to accommodate organic produce. 

Create a Roadmap for Your Finances

Once you've set your goals, you need to decide exactly how you will reach them. Create a time-table for large goals, such as saving for a car or home. Determine how much you need each week or month to get to your goals in time. The clearer you are about where you're going, the easier it will be to decide whether you're on track. 

Choose a Money Management Plan

Sit down together and decide how you will manage your money. You can keep your money in a joint account or two separate ones. If you use separate accounts, you may want to keep a joint one as well for pooling money used on bills.

It's also a good idea to decide how you will track your money from month to month. There are many apps and programs to help you with this. A more traditional method is to take cash out for each type of expense and keep it in an envelope so your spending can't spill over from one area to the next. This keeps you from accidentally spending grocery funds on entertainment and makes it easier to visualize your situation. 

Set Rules for Spending

As a couple, you need to decide how much discretionary money each person gets. Do you have a set allowance for fun money each week, or are you able to spend freely as long as purchases are under a certain cap? Be very clear about how you feel on this issue, as a saver may prefer discussing any purchase over $20 while a spender would probably set the cap closer to $100. 

Collaborate on Savings Strategies

Saving is important for healthy finances in any situation. Talk to your spouse about the level of risk that you're comfortable with. There are lots of ways to invest and save ranging from gold bullion from the U S Money Reserve to stock and bonds. A diverse portfolio is usually the best option for balanced financial health. 

Communicate Clearly and Often

Set a meeting time each week or month for you and your spouse to sit down and go over the finances. Communicating often is your best defense against misunderstandings and conflicts down the road.

Using these strategies, you and your spouse can manage your finances wisely with both parties having a fair and equal say in your decisions. 

Manage Your Finances Like a Small Business

You may not think personal finances have much in common with finances of a small business, but with a little creativity you can manage your money as if you were your own company. Here are some tips to keep in mind when working on your finances.

Hang On to Important Documents

As a homeowner, you probably won't have to deal with Cash Flow or Profit and Loss Statements like a business would. However, there are several forms and documents you definitely need to keep track of. This practice can help during tax season, when you might need to reference old statements for your files. Managing your finances will be a breeze if you store all your receipts, loan statements, and credit records in a safe, well-organized place.

Come Up With a System

Of course, knowing where your documents are is only half the battle. Once you've collected your files, you need to figure out a routine for keeping them organized and properly utilizing them in your financial management. It also helps to regularly balance your checkbook or keep track of your expenses in spreadsheets. Some business owners do a daily rundown of their gains and losses to maintain their financial flow. If you're struggling to figure things out, there's tons of free accounting advice online that can help you.

Focus On Profit

It might surprise you to think of a homeowner turning a profit, but this is basically what any individual with an income, expenses, and assets ends up doing. Consider the things you spend your money on every week--groceries, rent, energy bills, and probably some fun stuff, too. You can think of the dollars you don't spend on necessities as your profit and store them away in a savings account. Even non-monetary gains, like clothing or entertainment products, could be considered profits. One of your main goals should be to maximize these earnings so you can reap the most benefits from your hard work.

Plan Ahead

You won't get very far if you don't have a head for the future. Once you have all your files and systems ready, you need to consider what you want to do with your finances in the long run. If you want to make a large investment, like buying a house or a car, you will need to plan to save money and look for the best payment plan available. Financial programs can help keep track of your projects, or you can write a simple to-do list of tasks such as budgeting for food or allocating money for retirement. Just like a business, you should figure out your long-term goals and work on a good strategy to achieve them efficiently. 

Controlling your finances as if you were running a business is a great way to become more stable and more independent. Despite the differences between a small business and a homeowner, there are plenty of shared practices that can help any individual get a better grasp on their money.