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Eleven Ways to Help Yourself Stay Sane in a Crazy Market

Katherine Plotnik

Keeping your cool can be hard to do when the market goes on one of its periodic roller-coaster rides. It’s useful to have strategies in place that prepare you both financially and psychologically to handle market volatility. Here are 11 ways to help keep yourself from making hasty decisions that could have a long-term impact on your ability to achieve your financial goals. 1. Have a game plan Having predetermined guidelines that recognize the potential for turbulent times can help…
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Five Key Benefits of the CARES Act for Individuals and Businesses

Katherine Plotnik

By now you know that Congress has passed a $2 trillion relief bill to help keep individuals and businesses afloat during these difficult times. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act contains many provisions. Here are five that may benefit you or your business. 1. Recovery Rebates Many Americans will receive a one-time cash payment of $1,200. Each U.S. resident or citizen with an adjusted gross income (AGI) under $75,000 ($112,500 for heads of household and $150,000 for…
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How to Manage Your Money While Job Searching

Katherine Plotnik

Losing your job can be stressful. In general, most Americans do not have enough liquid money set aside for emergencies. At any point, we as Wealth Advisors recommend having 6-12 months of expenses set aside as liquid money so that you have money to pay all your bills for six months if you have no income coming in. Ideally, this is in an insured money market account. Liquid money is not underneath your mattress, buried in your backyard or in…
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The Stimulus Package – What You Need to Know

Katherine Plotnik

On Friday March 27, 2020 Congress approved the $2 Trillion Stimulus Bill in response to COVID-19 to assist tens of millions of American households that are being affected by the virus. Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding this Stimulus Bill that we have compiled: Stimulus Payments Q: How large would the payments be? A: Most adults would get $1,200, although some would get less. For every qualifying child age 16 or under, the payment would be an…
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Spring Cleaning Your Way to Better Finances

Katherine Plotnik

Spring is a good time to clean out the cobwebs, and not just in your home or apartment. Your personal finances can benefit from a good spring cleaning, too. Here are some questions to ask yourself regarding your budget, debt, and taxes. Is there room in my budget to save more? A budget is the centerpiece of any good personal financialplan. After tallying your monthly income and expenses, you hopefully have money left over to save. But… is there room…
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The SECURE Act Offers New Opportunities for Individuals and Businesses

Katherine Plotnik

The SECURE Act (Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act) is major legislation that was passed by Congress as part of a larger spending bill and signed into law by the president in December. Here are a few provisions that may affect you. Unless otherwise noted, the new rules apply to tax or plan years starting January 1, 2020. If you’re still saving for retirement To address increasing life expectancies, the new law repeals the prohibition on contributions to…
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Closing Gaps in Your Insurance Coverage

Katherine Plotnik

Buying insurance is about sharing or shifting risk, but you may think you’re covered for specific losses when, in fact, you’re not. Here are some common coverage gaps to consider when reviewing your own insurance coverage. Life insurance In general, you want to have enough life insurance coverage (when coupled with savings and income) to allow your family to continue living the lifestyle to which they’re accustomed. But changing circumstances may leave a gap in your life insurance coverage. For…
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The Struggle We Face With Aging Parents

Katherine Plotnik

Recently we have been helping so many clients deal with their parents and estate planning. Coming to the realization that we need to take extra care of our parents later on in life is one of the most difficult things to deal with. It is hard to talk to anyone about money, let alone your parents. Regardless of whether you and your parents have always talked freely about money or never discussed the subject, there are several considerations you may…
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Hindsight in 2020: What Will You Do Differently This Year?

Katherine Plotnik

According to a recent survey, 76% of Americans reported having at least one financial regret. Over half of this group said it had to do with savings: 27% didn’t start saving for retirement soon enough, 19% didn’t contribute enough to an emergency fund, and 10% wish they had saved more for college.1 The saving conundrum What’s preventing Americans from saving more? It’s a confluence of factors: stagnant wages over many years; the high cost of housing and college; meeting everyday…
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How to Give Like a Billionaire When You Don’t Have Billions to Give

Katherine Plotnik

Since Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett created the Giving Pledge in 2010, more than 200 of the world’s wealthiest individuals and couples have committed to giving the majority of their wealth to philanthropic or charitable causes. Although the Giving Pledge only invites billionaires to join, “it is inspired by the example set by millions of people at all income levels who give generously — and often at great personal sacrifice — to make the world a better place.”*…
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