Tag: financial

Imagine laying out all of your bills, account statements, insurance policies, and loans and trying to make sense of them all. Pretty overwhelming, isn’t it? That’s why organization is so foundational. You cannot succeed in your financial life without being organized. Here are 5 steps to get your finances in order.

1. SIMPLIFY

Look at the big picture of your finances. Are they complicated? Do you have too many credit cards, accounts that go unused, or 401(k)s from past employers? Make a list of all your accounts and prune them back. The fewer you have to manage, the easier it is. Even better, keep all your financial dealings in one place in our online client portal where you can access your investment accounts, see the current value of each of your assets, and review your debts.

2. SAVE A TREE

Clutter is one of the enemies of organization. Unless you’ve created a streamlined system, paper documents often pile up and can be difficult to track down when you need them. Instead, go paperless by enrolling in electronic delivery wherever possible. Then, all you’ll need to stay on top of things is a list of your usernames and passwords.

3. ORGANIZE YOUR PASSWORDS

Speaking of, find a method of keeping all of your login information in one place.

Find a password manager that will keep your information safe and help you generate many different and complex passwords.  Also, regularly update your passwords so your account details are protected from hackers and identity theft.  

4. KNOW WHERE TO LOOK

Despite how digital our lives are becoming, there are still times we need physical documents. Find a system that works for you, whether it’s a binder, a locked filing cabinet, or an in-home, fireproof safe. Gather everything together neatly and store it in one place that is easy for you to access.  Buying a crosscut shredder to dispose of older documents is also a must.

5. CREATE A MASTER LIST

Develop a master directory that lays out all your financial information to help you manage your affairs and serve as a guide to your family members if they ever need to assist with your finances. Be sure to include account numbers and logins, and keep this document password-protected or under lock and key.

It’s impossible to make wise financial decisions if you don’t know what you have to work with. If you’re ready to organize your finances or aren’t sure how strong your foundation is, we encourage you to schedule a phone call with us today.

About Richard

Richard Archer is a financial advisor and the President of Archer Investment Management with more than eighteen years of industry experience. Largely working with successful individuals and couples, he specializes in providing comprehensive investment guidance and personalized care and attention to each client. Along with holding a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a MBA, he is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant and a Chartered Financial Analyst®. He combines his advanced industry education and knowledge with his genuine care for people to provide clients with an exceptional experience. To learn more about Richard, connect with him on LinkedIn or visit www.archerim.com.

Can money buy happiness? You may think the answer is no, but maybe it’s not about the balance in your accounts and more about how you choose to spend your money. In their book “Happy Money: The Science of Happier Spending“, Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton delve into the research linking money and happiness.  Here are five ways they found money can “buy” happiness:

1. FOCUS ON “DOING,” NOT “HAVING”

The joy of having “things” fades quickly, whereas experiences have a lasting effect. If you’re going to spend money, choosing to go on a vacation or attend an event can lead to far more happiness than purchasing that new big-screen TV.

2. KEEP THINGS FRESH

If something is always available, it often loses its luster. If you buy a pastry every time you get coffee, it stops being a treat and becomes a dull routine. But if you only treat yourself once a week, you will have something to look forward to and will appreciate it more.

3. BUILD ANTICIPATION

Have you ever planned a trip months in advance, creating itineraries and researching restaurants? If so, you know that one of the best things about taking a vacation can be the waiting period, the build-up to the day you get on the plane or pack up the car. The anticipation of what’s to come intensifies the emotional experience.

4.  BUY TIME

Many people sacrifice valuable time to save a bit of money. But time may be more valuable. Try paying for a housekeeper, having your groceries delivered, or splurging on a direct flight instead of a cheaper indirect one. One way to save time that I’m particularly fond of (warning, shameless plug ahead) is to invest in a financial advisor to simplify your financial life. In all seriousness, by streamlining your finances, you can free up time and mental energy so you can focus on what’s important to you.

5. GIVE FREELY

We often think that spending money on ourselves will bring happiness. But in reality, one of the best ways to create fulfillment is to spend our money on others. Have you ever bought the perfect gift for someone and experienced joy at how much they appreciated it? It’s a win-win.

Having more money doesn’t guarantee happiness, but being intentional with your money can bring you fulfillment. I’d love to help you simplify your finances so you can find even more happiness in life! Click here to schedule a phone call.

About Richard

Richard Archer is a financial advisor and the President of Archer Investment Management with more than eighteen years of industry experience. Largely working with successful individuals and couples, he specializes in providing comprehensive investment guidance and personalized care and attention to each client. Along with holding a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a MBA, he is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant and a Chartered Financial Analyst®. He combines his advanced industry education and knowledge with his genuine care for people to provide clients with an exceptional experience. To learn more about Richard, connect with him on LinkedIn or visit www.archerim.com.

Have you ever imagined what it would feel or look like to be stress-free about money? It’s not uncommon for most people, wealthy or not, to worry about money. One study found that money was the leading cause of stress among Americans, and 64% of people consider money to be a somewhat or very significant source of stress. (1)

While there’s no guarantee that any amount of planning or investing can cure all of your worries, taking proactive control of your financial situation and future can significantly help you feel more confident. At Archer Investment Management, we like to tackle financial planning in five different areas, each of which is designed to improve your life in a unique way. Together, these strategies cohesively work together to help you pursue your goals and visualize what financial peace can look like for you and your family.

1. LIFE PLANNING

Before you can accomplish something, you need a goal. Otherwise, you’re essentially driving blind without a map for guidance. The foundation of a strong financial plan is clarity regarding what you want to accomplish now and in the future. In this area of financial planning, it’s important to consider:

• When do I want to retire?
• What do I want to achieve in 5, 10, and 20 years?
• Do I plan on expanding my family or sending a child to college?
• What does a comfortable lifestyle look like?

Addressing these questions can help you prioritize your objectives and define what steps to take.

2. INVESTMENT PLANNING

Investing can play a powerful role in your financial planning, but it’s overwhelming for most people. Investing doesn’t have to be scary if you have set intentions, needs, and a partner to guide your decisions.

Along with identifying your overall money goals, you’ll want to consider your investments and how they are working for or against you. This involves asking:

• Is my money working as hard for me as it can be?
• Am I paying fees that are too high?
• Do I have too much risk in my portfolio?
• Do I understand what I’m investing in?

The more you understand about your portfolio, investment opportunities, and goals, the more you can feel confident about how your money is working for you.

3. ESTATE PLANNING

Beyond your personal goals, you likely have dreams for your children, grandchildren, loved ones, or charitable organizations. Estate planning helps you have a stronger handle on where your money will go and how it will be used in the future. When considering your estate, you’ll want to ask:

• Does my family know my intentions should I ever become incapacitated?
• Have I named and updated my beneficiaries?
• Is my estate subject to federal estate taxes?
• Does my family know where our important household documents are stored?

Planning for your estate can help both you and your family feel more confident about the future and any decisions they may have to make in an emergency.

4. INSURANCE PLANNING

There’s no such thing as a life without risk, but you can actively work to reduce its negative impact. Too often, people push insurance off to the back burner without realizing how important of a role it can play in their life. As you consider these other elements of your finances, ask yourself the following:

• Am I and my loved ones protected from an unexpected life event?
• Would an illness permanently derail my retirement?
• How would we budget if I or my spouse could no longer work?

As they say, expect the best and plan for the worst. Insurance may seem like betting against yourself, but just as you wouldn’t drive without auto insurance or go without health insurance, put a plan in place to safeguard your wealth.

5. TAX PLANNING

Last but not least, there are taxes, which play a role in everyone’s financial life. Many people don’t realize that there are legal ways to reduce the amount of taxes you have to pay, which means more money in your pocket and for your future retirement. Beyond your annual tax return and taking advantage of credits, consider the following questions:

• Do I have an executive compensation plan?
• Am I taking maximum advantage of my tax-deferred savings opportunities?
• Are there other opportunities for me to save for retirement while reducing taxes?

Tax planning and retirement planning can work hand-in-hand, especially if you collaborate with both your CPA and financial advisor.

PURSUING YOUR IDEAL FINANCIAL FUTURE

Addressing all of these questions and creating a detailed plan to pursue your goals can help guide you toward greater financial confidence and peace. At Archer Investment Management, we help our clients build comprehensive financial plans and provide them a customized website that helps them monitor their progress. We believe this helps our clients stay engaged with their plan and understand how they can take small steps to work toward big goals.

If you’re interested in learning more about what your financial future can look like and how to start taking steps toward your goals, I encourage you to reach out to me. You can book an appointment online here so we can talk about your answers to these questions and what you’d like to accomplish.

About Richard

Richard Archer is a financial advisor and the President of Archer Investment Management with more than eighteen years of industry experience. Largely working with successful individuals and couples, he specializes in providing comprehensive investment guidance and personalized care and attention to each client. Along with holding a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a MBA, he is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certificant and a Chartered Financial Analyst®. He combines his advanced industry education and knowledge with his genuine care for people to provide clients with an exceptional experience. To learn more about Richard, connect with him on LinkedIn or visit www.archerim.com.

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(1) http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/index.aspx