Investment Management

Women and Finance

Women and Finance

A four-part series of the challenges that women face when it comes to planning for a secure financial future and investing to make that plan happen.  

This is the second article in a series on Women Investors.

The statistics are sobering – over 80% of women will be solely responsible for their finances at some point in their life. Increased longevity and rising divorce rates for women over 50 means that women have special financial needs and concerns.

Longevity is a big issue since women have an average life expectancy of 81, five years longer than men. A study by the Society of Actuaries (SOA) showed that on average, women anticipate living slightly longer than men, but also showed that half of pre-retiree females underestimate the life expectancy of the average 65-year-old woman.

  • Women are likely to face greater financial challenges in their standard of living after divorce or the death of a partner.
  • Women can also be at a disadvantage in their knowledge and experience in dealing with their finances.

The SOA study also showed that women are more concerned than men about paying for long-term care, depleting their savings, keeping up with inflation, and maintaining their standard of living.

  • Women more likely to need help with health care issues and managing their daily lives later in retirement.
  • Women are more likely to be subject to elder abuse because of their longer life expectancy and need for care.

With these statistics in mind, we put together a quick list of ideas to help you start talking about your money, finances, and investments.

 

Women’s Finance Action Item #1

Get Rid of Debt

Get rid of consumer debt (credit cards and loans), especially those with high interest rates. Paying off your mortgage by retirement can give you flexibility if you need to cut back.

Women’s Finance Action Item #2

Save More, Save Early

Save as much money as you can. If you are in your early career stages, start saving as soon as possible. Increase the amount you save every year when you get a raise or bonus. If you are closer to retirement, start living on your targeted retirement spending now so you can see if it fits your needs

 

Women’s Finance Action Item #3

Plan for Healthcare

Make a plan for health expenses, incapacity, and long-term care needs later in retirement. Investigate long-term care insurance to see if putting a policy in place makes sense for your needs, desires, and budget. Planning is critical if you want to remain in your home, since in-home care can often be the most expensive option for care in later years.

Women’s Finance Action Item #4

Be Bold, Get Involved

If your partner takes care of the major financial decisions, get more involved. Do you know where to find key documents and how to access your accounts? Know where you stand financially and take an active role in discussions and decisions about your investments.

Women’s Finance Action Item #5

Consult a Professional

Consult a financial professional that can address your concerns about being prepared for retirement. Make sure your plan addresses the longevity and health care needs that women are more likely to face.

Sources: National Vital Statistics Reports, Vol. 68, No. 9, June 24, 2019. Society of Actuaries 2017 Risks and Process of Retirement Survey Report of Findings, January 2018.

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Platt Wealth Management offers financial plans to answer your important financial questions. Where are you? Where do you want to be? How can you get there? Our four-step financial planning process is designed to be a road map to get you where you want to go while providing flexibility to adapt to changes along the route. We offer stand alone plans or full wealth management plans that include our investment management services. Give us a call today to set up a complimentary meeting. 619-255-9554.

Dream. Plan. Do.

How Does the Coronavirus Outbreak Affect the Market?

How Does the Coronavirus Outbreak Affect the Market?

As Chinese authorities deal with a rapidly spreading coronavirus, investors are raising questions about the potential impact on global economic growth and the financial markets. While much is still unknown about the extent of the outbreak — and, crucially, how long it may last — the initial drag on China and other emerging markets is starting to come into focus.

 

China’s Economy and the Coronavirus Outbreak

China’s economy was already growing at the slowest rate in 30 years before reports of the outbreak first emerged in the central China city of Wuhan. Since then, the Chinese government has placed a dozen cities under quarantine, shut down businesses and schools, and restricted travel in the affected regions. More than 7,700 infections have been reported as of January 30, including a small number in the U.S., Europe and other parts of Asia.

To get a handle on how the outbreak is affecting global economic conditions, we talked to two Capital Group investment veterans who are based in Hong Kong, as well as one of our U.S. economists. Here’s a look at their perspectives:

 

“Given the quarantine lockdowns, it’s highly likely that the numbers of infected people in mainland China are significantly underestimated,” says Stephen Green, a Capital Group economist based in Hong Kong, “especially in rural areas where medical facilities are limited.

 

“Depending on how long it takes to contain the coronavirus, we should expect to see sizable declines in consumer spending and manufacturing activity at least through the end of February,” Green adds. “I wouldn’t be surprised if China’s first-quarter GDP growth falls below 6% and some Wall Street estimates are as low as 5%, which is certainly in the realm of possibility.”

A Global Slowdown from the Coronavirus Outbreak

Outside China, the biggest economic impact is expected to be in Thailand, which relies heavily on Chinese tourism. Among industries, travel and tourism throughout Asia will likely take a significant hit, Green explains, along with sales of luxury goods. In addition, many events associated with China’s lunar new year have been canceled. Energy stocks also have fallen sharply as investors expect oil prices to decline further amid lower demand from China.

 

Since news reports about the virus accelerated around January 17, emerging markets stocks have declined by about 4%, as measured by the MSCI Emerging Markets IMI. Chinese stocks are down more than 6% and Thai stocks slipped 7%. By comparison, the MSCI World Index declined 1.3% during the period through January 29. 

If the economy and markets continue to deteriorate, Green notes, Chinese authorities are likely to launch new stimulus measures, including potential tax cuts and interest rate cuts.

How will the US economy be affected by the Coronavirus Outbreak?

 

U.S. stocks, meanwhile, have lost about 2% on worries that the outbreak could have a spillover effect on the U.S. economy, including American companies that do business in China. Starbucks has closed about half of its 4,300 stores in China. Many U.S.-based airlines are also canceling flights to the country. And there are growing concerns about supply-chain disruptions for companies such as Apple that have significant manufacturing operations there.

Coupled with Boeing’s recent troubles returning the 737 Max jet to service, the outlook for the U.S. economy now looks more uncertain than it did just a few weeks ago, says Capital Group U.S. economist Jared Franz. Fourth-quarter U.S. GDP growth came in at 2.1% on an annualized basis, according to Commerce Department figures released on Thursday

 

“If 737 Max production remains grounded through July, then I estimate the impact on first-half GDP growth will be roughly –0.5 percentage points,” Franz says. “The economic impact of the coronavirus on the U.S. is more difficult to calibrate, but I expect it to be modest and mostly felt through trade disruption and financial linkages.”

 

Assuming the outbreak is contained soon, Franz said it’s likely global economic growth will experience a V-shaped recovery characterized by slower growth in the first half and a significant acceleration in the second half of the year. The U.S. economy will probably follow the same course.

 

“U.S. economic fundamentals remain sound, labor markets are resilient and the Federal Reserve stands ready to take action as needed,” Franz adds. “The coronavirus looks to be a modest but temporary restraint on U.S. economic activity via secondary channels of impact, but should not derail my growth expectations of roughly 2% in 2020.”

Coronavirus Outbreak Compared to SARS

That’s similar to the pattern shown after the SARS outbreak that hit China in 2002 and 2003. Key indicators bounced back quickly after the virus was contained. Many investors are looking at the SARS event as a template for what might happen in the weeks and months ahead — although it’s important to note that there were many other factors during that time period, including the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.

 

In addition, the structure of the global economy was significantly different. The Chinese economy was largely investment-driven at that time. Consumer spending is a much larger percentage of total economic output today. Travel and tourism activity also was much lower than it is now, with Chinese tourism skyrocketing over the past decade. 

 

Investment Implications

That’s similar to the pattern shown after the SARS outbreak that hit China in 2002 and 2003. Key indicators bounced back quickly after the virus was contained. Many investors are looking at the SARS event as a template for what might happen in the weeks and months ahead — although it’s important to note that there were many other factors during that time period, including the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks and the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.

 

In addition, the structure of the global economy was significantly different. The Chinese economy was largely investment-driven at that time. Consumer spending is a much larger percentage of total economic output today. Travel and tourism activity also was much lower than it is now, with Chinese tourism skyrocketing over the past decade. 

 

That said, market psychology is often highly predictable during times of crisis as investors tend to overreact to distressing news, says Steve Watson, a Capital Group portfolio manager based in Hong Kong. 

 

“The situation today is very reminiscent of SARS, which we lived through here in Hong Kong 17 years ago,” Watson explains. “The uncertainty was extremely high during the SARS outbreak and it was certainly a difficult time for many people, but once it was over, the following relief rally was powerful.”

 

As with any large-scale crisis, long-term investors should look for select opportunities that may be generated by a near-term loss of confidence, Watson says. “This is when long-term thinking, on-the-ground research and a focus on value can make a meaningful difference.”

 

3 Ways A Financial Advisor Can Transform Your Business

3 Ways A Financial Advisor Can Transform Your Business

A business financial advisor can help you avoid costly mistakes and maximize your business returns.

How can a business financial advisor do this? Business professionals live busy (occasionally hectic) lives consisting of hundreds of meetings, client requests, sales goals, and a list of services to uphold. With other tasks taking precedent, it’s easy to add managing your finances as just another thing to check off your ever-growing to-do list. That’s why a business financial advisor is key to maximizing your return from your business.

 Financials are one of the first areas to start slipping through the cracks as a business gains traction and grows. To avoid heading down the slippery slope of inadequate financial management, we suggest hiring a financial professional.

 

Many business owners avoid hiring a financial planner thinking it will add unnecessary costs, however that is a false reality. Working with a professional business financial advisor can not only save you time and money, but also grant you peace of mind knowing the financial state of your business is taken care of now and in the future. 

 

The benefits of adding a financial planner to your team are endless, but we’ve compiled a list of our top 3 reasons as to exactly how they can transform the way you work.

 

A business financial advisor can help you: manage your employee benefits…for your benefit.

It’s no secret that employee benefits, such as a 401(k), are an important piece of your business. While important, retirement plans can also be a tricky process, demanding a large amount of time and attention that many business professionals simply don’t have.

What can a financial planner do for your 401(k) program?

Consult on the details and fine print of your plan

Maintain the health of your account

Manage current assets

Help establish and reach investment goals

Broaden your investment portfolio

By creating a seamless 401(k) plan, your financial planner is also helping your business minimize employee turnover. It’s true — roughly 40% of employees who work for small businesses said they would leave their current company for one that offers a quality 401(k) plan.

Business owners can also receive a tax break from corporate taxes by having a qualified program in place.

A business financial advisor can: execute strategies and help plan your goals.

Capital is arguably one of the most important aspects of a small business, making their investments a vital piece to their long-term success. A professional can help diversify a business’s assets with the long term goal of yielding higher, long-term returns and lowering the risk of individual holdings. Financial advisors will help you maintain a healthy mix of asset types and classes and manage those assets in an efficient way.

Every business’s goals are different and will require a unique mix of assets. Asset allocation and risk tolerance are key determinants when choosing investments taking into account your business’s goals, cash flow needs, and tax considerations.

A seasoned financial planner will:

Keep your portfolio manageable

Know where your money fits best (ex: stocks, commodities, exchange-traded funds, and/or real estate funds)

Continue to build your portfolio based on growth and economic status

Know when it’s time to cut ties with unprofitable investments

A financial advisor is also able to offer you personal financial strategies such as how and when to retire, to help you choose which investments fit best into your future lifestyle. Whether they are optimizing your capital for future business growth or advising on your retirement plan, a financial planner is the backbone for your future successes.

A business financial advisor can: execute strategies and help plan your goals.

A financial planner will be able to help you brainstorm, set, and execute your business’s financial goals. These goals include but are not limited to: exit strategies, investment aspirations, insurance needs, business set-up/liability, and a comfortable retirement plan

All small business owners will eventually exit their businesses, whether it is to start a new business or to begin the adventure of retirement. Either way, a financial planner can help facilitate these sometimes difficult discussions and decisions to help prepare your business for if/when you are no longer there.

Financial planners can also help keep you organized which in turn will help save the business money so it can reinvest in itself. They can give your business the opportunity to expand and grow through:

Employee training
New hires
Additional programs and/or products

Empowering you is our mission as your business financial advisor.

 

At Platt Wealth Management, our ultimate goal is to empower our clients by providing personalized and seamless financial planning advice and expertise. As a business owner, you wear many ‘hats’ throughout the day, but you are also not expected to be a financial expert. That’s why we’ve developed a four-step financial planning process that is designed to get you where you want to go while providing flexibility to adapt to any changes that may come your way.

Are you looking to strengthen your business or personal finances? Are you ready to save time, money, and gain peace of mind? Look no further — our team is committed to finding you the right solution. Give us a call today at (619) 255-9554 to set up a complimentary review and discuss how a financial planner can fit into your business plan.

 

Are you on track for retirement?

Making sure you will be ready for retirement can be overwhelming. Funding your retirement accounts over the years is just one part of your journey to the retirement of your dreams. A Certified Financial PlannerTM can help you navigate the complexities of financial planning. Talk to a Financial Planner>

Dream. Plan. Do.

Platt Wealth Management offers financial plans to answer your important financial questions. Where are you? Where do you want to be? How can you get there? Our four-step financial planning process is designed to be a road map to get you where you want to go while providing flexibility to adapt to changes along the route. We offer stand alone plans or full wealth management plans that include our investment management services. Give us a call today to set up a complimentary review. 619-255-9554.

3 Financial Resolutions To Adopt In The New Year

3 Financial Resolutions To Adopt In The New Year

The new year is an exciting time— a time for a change, fresh starts, new beginnings, and different adventures.

 

We have not only entered a new year but also a new decade, and with it comes rejuvenated energy to set off on the right track and reach your goals. January is a great time to review your finances and decide on your top 3 financial resolutions.

What financial goals and resolutions are you hoping to accomplish this year?

 

Making resolutions is easy; sticking to them is a whole different story.

A U.S News and World Report found that 80% of new year’s resolutions don’t make it past mid-February. 

We know the buddy system works for the gym, so why not use it for your financial health?

One way to help you stick with your financial resolutions this year is by teaming up with a financial planner to help you stay the course and motivate you to reach the goals you set.

Let’s take a look at the top 3 financial resolutions our team recommends this year.

Financial Resolution #1: Review your portfolio.

 

Your investment portfolio is an essential component of your financial plan. You might be self-managing your investment portfolio and are ready to delegate the day-to-day research and rebalancing. You might realize your current financial advisor doesn’t serve your needs. Now is the time for a strong financial resolution to get a fresh set of eyes. Active portfolio management will help balance risk and divide assets in a way that makes sense for your investing goals.

This year, be sure to take the time and have your portfolio reviewed by a professional. A fee-only financial advisor can help you reassess your goals as an investor and maximize your investment portfolio to meet those goals. A financial advisor will be able to help you:

 Assess your risk.

  • Your portfolio’s risk should align with your investment goals and timeline. Reexamining these factors will influence the type of assets you will invest in moving forward.
  • Your risk tolerance plays a big role in your investment strategy and will change as your goals evolve. As you near retirement, it is especially important to evaluate your risk tolerance and how it corresponds to your division of assets. Since you will need the money over a shorter time horizon, it might make sense to re-balance your assets accordingly.

Re-balance your portfolio.

  • Asset classes grow at different rates of return. As a result, it is necessary to periodically re-balance your portfolio to maintain your target asset allocation mix.

Avoid excessive fees.

  • You might be paying way more than you have to for management fees, commissions, and hidden fees. It might be time to switch to a fee-only fiduciary.
  • You might be paying more than you have to on advisory, management, and other related costs. Check your service level and affinity with your current advisor. Are you getting what you are paying for?

 

 

10 Questions You Need to Ask

Choosing a financial advisor can be overwhelming, especially when your insurance broker, bank teller and broker all call themselves a financial advisor. There are ten questions you should ask to find out who is best for you and your family. Please download our complimentary guide as a starting point when re evaluating your current financial advisor or when searching for a new financial advisor. Download Guide.

 Financial Resolution #2: Know your priorities.

 

What is most important to you? Where to you want to invest your most valuable asset–your time? Your finances should align with your values and priorities. Are you living your best life? The best way to find out is with a comprehensive financial plan.

A comprehensive financial plan takes into account your financial goals, responsibilities, aspirations, and resources. Chose a scenario that will best suit your short-term and long-term goals.

Here at Platt Wealth Management, we have a 4 step approach.

 Discover. We want to learn about your financial goals and the pain points you have experienced along the way. What keeps you up at night? We seek to know your passions and values. What do you dream about doing?

Create. We create a custom financial plan that illustrates both where you are now and where you want to be in the future.

Execution. After you choose the plan that works for you, we ensure it gets implemented. We also provide the tools and resources (professional and educational) you will need to be successful.

Monitor. The one predictable thing about life is that it is always changing. We stay engaged through proactive planning to keep you on course.

 

 #1 Financial Resolution: Protect your assets.

 

You have worked hard for everything you have earned throughout your career. An essential financial resolution is to protect those assets. Entrepreneurs need to be especially aware of protecting their assets. This year, make it a priority to put designations in place to help protect yourself. Below are a few suggestions to get you started:

  • Separate your business and personal finances.
  • Create a legal structure for your business (corporations and LLCs provide a corporate shield of asset protection).
  • Have updated insurance for all of your assets (house, car, business, etc.).
  • Diversify where you can. For example, you could put some assets in a trust to help protect them as they are managed from a third-party.
  • Use your retirement accounts. These accounts (401k, 403b, IRA) protect your assets from creditors.

The most important thing is customizing your experience to fit your needs. A fee-only financial planner will be able to work with you to discover the vision you have, help you bring it to life, and adjust along the way so you can live the life you want.

Here at Platt Wealth Management, we are passionate about helping you live the life you want. Schedule a call with us. We would love to help you establish and achieve your financial resolutions this year.

We can help you achieve your financial resolutions this year.

Use the buddy system to maximize your financial health and complete your financial resolutions.

 Your best-interest should be at the heart of your financial advisor. As a fee-only fiduciary firm, we work our best every day to help you reach your goals. Creating a dynamic of trust and transparency is crucial to who we are as a financial advisor, and we want to help you get into top financial shape.

Dream. Plan. Do.

Platt Wealth Management offers financial plans to answer your important financial questions. Where are you? Where do you want to be? How can you get there? Our four-step financial planning process is designed to be a road map to get you where you want to go while providing flexibility to adapt to changes along the route. We offer stand alone plans or full wealth management plans that include our investment management services. Give us a call today to set up a complimentary review. 619-255-9554.

Is Your Financial Advisor a Fiduciary? (And Why You Need to Know)

Is Your Financial Advisor a Fiduciary? (And Why You Need to Know)

Financial advisors who are fiduciaries work from firm ethical ground to optimize their client’s financial resources.

 

Financial advisors and investment managers are from diverse professions that combine finance, economics, psychology, law, communications, and so much more to help bring balance and security to people’s financial plans. 

But, not all financial advisors are built alike. With so many different fee structures and advertisements out there, it may be unclear what you are getting with each company. In the financial advisor industry, most of the confusion rests on how the business operates and the way the financial advisors get paid for their services. These things are important because they influence your experience and the quality of advice given to you.

The financial world as a whole may not be known for its clarity and transparency, but we work to change that narrative here at Platt Wealth Management. Once you get to know us, you will find that we operate to serve our clients in the best way we know how: by being a fee-only fiduciary firm.

How does this impact your financial plan? Let’s take a look and find out.

 

Are you on track for retirement?

Making sure you will be ready for retirement can be overwhelming. Funding your retirement accounts over the years is just one part of your journey to the retirement of your dreams. A Certified Financial PlannerTM can help you navigate the complexities of financial planning. Talk to a Financial Planner>

What does it mean if a financial advisor is a “fiduciary”?

 

Fiduciary has been a buzzword in the financial community for some time now, but few people outside of the industry have a clear idea of what it means. In general, a fiduciary is a legal agreement to act in the best interest of another person.

From a financial lens, this translates to a legal and ethical obligation to act in the best interests of clients, placing the client’s interest above the advisor at all times. This fiduciary relationship establishes a baseline of trust and transparency, key components for a successful financial plan.

While this idea may seem like a given, unfortunately, it isn’t. The Department of Labor worked to create the fiduciary rule in 2017 that would apply to all financial advisors working on retirement accounts. The rule stated that these financial advisors would need to provide conflict-free advice, putting the client’s interests first above any potential income from product sales of third party commissions. It also stipulated that the advice has to be fully transparent.

But in March of 2018, the rule was put to rest. This decision makes it even more crucial for consumers to ask the hard questions of their financial advisors to understand the type of advice they are getting and if it benefits them.

Fiduciary advisors often have far fewer conflicts of interest and are obligated to disclose any that they might have, offering full transparency to the client.

Remember, not all financial advisors are a fiduciary. As you are searching for an advisor, take the time to ask them if they are a fiduciary. Find out what that means to them and their business. Knowing how a financial advisor operates and how they receive compensation are two areas that can help you decide if they are a good fit for you and your needs.

10 Questions You Need to Ask

Figuring out if your financial advisor is a fiduciary can be difficult. Banks, investment brokers and insurance companies might call themselves financial planners, but do they have your best interests at heart? If they are offering financial planning or investment management for “free”, you have the right to know how they are getting paid and how that affects the advice they give you.

How a fee-only advisor is a fiduciary.

 

One way that we uphold our fiduciary status is through our fee-only compensation. This means that we receive payment through client services. This fee structure sounds pretty simple, and it is. Our pricing reflects the services we offer, and that is the only way we make money. We aren’t paid through third-party commissions or the sales of products, services, or tools.

This conflict-free model allows us to invest in you and help you make the best decisions for your financial future, which is what financial planning is really all about. Looking through a fiduciary’s wide lens, we are also able to develop long-term relationships with our clients, shifting our strategy and approach for their plan as it changes.

A good financial advisor is committed to finding the right solutions for you.

Understanding your full picture: goals, values, personal dreams, and ambitions all fit into your financial plan and can help us give you advice to best suit the life you want to live.

We want to empower you to make the best financial decisions. Knowing that your advice is coming from a financial advisor who has your back and is looking out for you will help you be more confident.

The right financial advisor for you.

 

Your best interest should be at the heart of your financial advisor. As a fee-only fiduciary firm, we work our best every day to help you reach your goals. Creating a dynamic of trust and transparency is crucial to who we are as a financial advisor, and we want to help educate and inspire our clients every day.

Your financial plan is yours. Get your financial advice tailored to your unique needs with your goals at the center. Give us a call if you would like to learn more about how this type of financial advice and financial planning. 

Dream. Plan. Do.

Platt Wealth Management offers financial plans to answer your important financial questions. Where are you? Where do you want to be? How can you get there? Our four-step financial planning process is designed to be a road map to get you where you want to go while providing flexibility to adapt to changes along the route. We offer stand alone plans or full wealth management plans that include our investment management services. Give us a call today to set up a complimentary review. 619-255-9554.

Investors Need a Trusted Contact

Investors Need a Trusted Contact

What is a trusted contact?

 

A trusted contact acts as your back up contact. What if you become unable to respond due to diminished capacity or become the target of fraud? This person is someone your advisor can talk to in order to confirm:

 

  • Your contact information.
  • Your mental health or physical status.
  • Red flags that indicate you are being financially exploited.

Who can be a trusted contact?

 

  • At least 18 years old.
  • Usually family members or close friends, people you might see daily or weekly.
  • Preferably not someone already authorized to conduct business for you, someone other than your Power of Attorney.

NOT a Power of Attorney

 

A trusted contacted does not act on your behalf.

  • They cannot view your account information, execute transactions, or ask about your account activity.
  • They can only speak with us to confirm you are OK.

Speak to an Advisor

 If you would like to have a trusted contact on file, speak with your advisor today about filling out the necessary paperwork. If you are working with a broker or not comfortable with your current advisor, please feel welcome to give us a call.

 

 Fee Only Fiduciary

Platt Wealth Management is a fee-only advisor helping clients achieve their financial goals. We offer customized financial advice, financial planning, and investment management. If you would like to learn more about our services or request a consultation to review your current portfolio please give us a call. 619.255.9554.

We provide stand-alone financial plans for a flat fee, investment management as retainer or asset basis points fee. Leverage our full expertise and discounts with our wealth management service.

We would love to learn more about you.

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