Anxious about money? You are not alone!
In fact, in nearly every compassion this feeling of anxiousness about the future has been mentioned.
As uncertainty rises, it is important to go back to the basics:
The Basics
☑ Recognize that you are not alone.
☑ Have an adequate emergency fund.
Ways to plan for the future and rid yourself of financial anxiety:
➜ I often recommend having a minimum of $25,000 if you own a home. 3-6 months of expenses in a savings account can provide tremendous peace of mind and prevent anxiety.
☑ Have an unwavering investment philosophy.
➜ I recommend keeping five years’ worth of portfolio income in “fixed income.”
For example, if you need $5k/month from your portfolio, I might recommend keeping $300,000 in “fixed income.”
The money you might need in the next five years should not be in the stock market.
If you do not need income from your portfolio, you may not have “fixed income” in your portfolio.
➜ Also, I might suggest investing the remainder for growth in a buy-and-hold strategy with a diversified portfolio of companies.
☑ Understand Historic Worst-Case Scenarios
- The market drops about 15% per year
- The market drops about 35% or more every five years
- The S&P 500 [a proxy for the U.S. stock market] ‘s worst rolling 30-year return is +7.8%. Not too bad.
Prepare for the “ifs” in life
- Life Insurance
- Disability Insurance
- Long-Term Care
- Estate Planning Documents
☑ Have a written, date-specific, dollar-specific financial plan. It should include how much you should be contributing monthly to fund this plan.
☑ Understand there are things beyond our control. Try to find peace that you have done everything within your control to plan and protect your family’s financial future.
☑ Do not be afraid to ask for help.
If any of your friends or family have financial questions, we are happy to be a sounding board for them. If they are important to you, they are important to us.
“When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it.” – Henry Ford
–Nic & Jeff
We are a full-service financial advisory company that allows you to make a one-page plan for your money and prepare for your future. Learn more about what we do and how we can help you here.
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Disclosures: Diversification is not a guarantee against loss.
* The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Next, determine which strategies or investments may be suitable for you, and consult the appropriate qualified professional prior to making a decision.
*All performance referenced is historical and is no guarantee of future results. All indices are unmanaged and may not be invested directly.
*Investing includes risks, including fluctuating prices and loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.
*Fixed-income investments such as 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.
