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Author: Robert Blakely

Outlook 2021

Posted on by Robert Blakely

Outlook 2021: Where We Are and Where We’re Headed
Presented by Robert Blakely, CFP®, AIF®, ChFC

As we approach the beginning of a new year and consider what it may bring, it is helpful to reflect on the one now behind us. After what has been a tumultuous year of unbelievable events and unprecedented circumstances, we have made it to a point where there may actually be more good news than bad. The election is behind us. Vaccines look to be more effective than anyone expected. Jobs and confidence are holding up surprisingly well as the economy adapts. Although the third wave continues to worsen, and many people will face a financial cliff at the end of the year as subsidies expire, more good than bad seems to be what markets are banking on.

In today’s environment, it’s hard to predict what might happen next, but we do know enough to make some educated guesses. The biggest call is simply this: that next year will be much better than this year.

What Things Look Like Today
On the medical front, there are signs the third wave is starting to peak. With many states now implementing mask requirements and shutdowns, we should bring the pandemic back under control in the next couple of months. And as the third wave recedes, we should see the first wave of vaccinations start. Given what we know today, we can have some confidence that the virus will start to move from an urgent problem to a chronic but manageable one sometime in the first half of the year.

From an economic standpoint, the news is even better. Right now, growth is still positive even as the third wave crests. Job growth continues to be substantially higher than what we saw before the pandemic, indicating our economy is healing and adapting. Consumer confidence is holding up, supported by the improving job climate. Retail spending has recovered to new highs and continues to grow. And as the medical news improves, we can expect to see both confidence and spending grow even faster.

With the consumer economy resilient and likely to improve with the medical news, business should also do well. Business confidence is already above the levels seen before the pandemic and in 2019. Business investment dropped off in early 2020, but it has been recovering and should move back to growth. With rising consumer demand, those trends may accelerate as well.

The last major component of the economy, government spending, is the wild card. The big question will be whether there is another stimulus package. Right now, prospects appear good. Where a stimulus package would help most is at lower levels of government. Both state and local governments have seen revenues fall, and since they cannot run deficits, they respond to revenue shortfalls by laying local government workers off. Help from the federal government would save those jobs and their purchasing power, and that could provide a substantial tailwind over the next quarter or so. Without such stimulus, the government could be a roadblock to total growth.

Another piece of the puzzle for 2021 is monetary policy. The Federal Reserve (Fed) has been extremely accommodating of the economy, keeping interest rates low, and that is likely to continue through 2021. With inflation still low, there will be little pressure for the Fed to raise rates anyway.

What This Means for 2021
Overall, the strength of the consumer and business sectors should help carry us forward, supported by the Fed’s low-interest-rate policy. Declines in government spending, if not countered by a federal stimulus, are the principal risk here. All things considered, though, we should see faster growth throughout 2021.

Markets have been cheering the vaccine news, as well as economic resilience. If things go as expected, markets still have room to appreciate further through 2021, although their path is unlikely to be as smooth. When the inevitable setbacks hit, we will see more volatility throughout the next year.

And that takes us to the risks and uncertainties. For the pandemic, the primary assumption is that the virus will be brought under control in 2021. This means that the vaccines must work, they must be widely available in the next six months, and enough people must be willing to take them. These are reasonable assumptions, but nothing is guaranteed.

For the economy, the primary assumption is that once enough people are vaccinated, the economy will return to something close to normal. Despite many changes—working from home, less travel, more online shopping—consumers and the economy are adapting. Although the new normal will not be exactly like the old, it will likely be normal enough. How fast we get there, though, is uncertain.

There are real risks here, but macro indicators are already suggesting we may be moving out of the recession. If those risks do materialize, we’ll likely see a somewhat slower recovery, but not a collapse. Even if things get worse, we’ll still be moving forward.

It Can Only Get Better from Here
From where we stand in late 2020, the prospects for 2021 remain positive. The healing process—for public health, the economy, and what will become our new normal—will not necessarily be smooth or without setbacks, but it will continue. This year did not go as we expected it to at the start, but our position now is much better than it could have been under the circumstances. We’re making progress, but it takes time. And that will be the story of 2021.

Disclosures: Certain sections of this commentary contain forward-looking statements that are based on our reasonable expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks and uncertainties, which are difficult to predict. All indices are unmanaged and are not available for direct investment by the public. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Diversification does not assure a profit or protect against loss in declining markets. The S&P 500 is based on the average performance of the 500 industrial stocks monitored by Standard & Poor’s. Emerging market investments involve higher risks than investments from developed countries, as well as increased risks due to differences in accounting methods, foreign taxation, political instability, and currency fluctuation.

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Blakely Financial, Inc. is located at 1022 Hutton Lane Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262 and can be reached at 336-885-2530.
Securities and Advisory Services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. Fixed insurance products and services offered through CES Insurance Agency or Blakely Financial, Inc.

© 2020 Commonwealth Financial Network®

Family Finance Meetings

Posted on by Robert Blakely

Authored by ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP®, AIF®, CHFC®

Holiday gatherings are an opportunity for families to grow closer to each other and to build life long memories. It’s also a great excuse to schedule and discuss financial well-being and preparedness since important topics like this are often overlooked. As a financial planning firm, we often schedule periodic reviews with our clients throughout the year to plan, reassess strategies, and refine direction based on changes to our client’s needs. So, wouldn’t it make sense for families to have the same conversations with each other?

You work hard to teach your kids what they need to become well-rounded and successful adults. You teach them which foods are good for them, how to play fairly with friends, and encourage them to build a strong work ethic and moral compass. You do these things because you recognize that the lessons, they learn today will ripple outwards through their lives as they move on to their own careers, their own families, and their own challenges.

Why not work just as hard to teach your family to build strong financial habits?

Letting these difficult conversations slide may be easier, but when you rob your children of their ability to learn from your mistakes, you doom them to learn from experience. The cost of poor money decisions your child makes in their twenties could permanently dampen their lifetime earning potential and set them back decades. Families who make a concerted effort to have financial discussions and pass on healthy habits have a better opportunity to grow financially stronger than those who avoid the talk.

Family finance meetings aren’t just for those of us with kids, however. Statistics tell us that one in five couples who filed for divorce last year cited finances as the reason that they split. Whether we like to admit it or not, money plays a role in just about every aspect of our lives. Your financial resources will directly impact the vacations you take, the insurances and protection you can afford, the opportunities you can provide to your spouse, and everything in between. You and your significant other can stay in sync on spending and other related finances by having regular healthy planning discussions.

How do we broach what sometimes can be difficult financial subjects with loved ones? The simple answer, like most things in finance, is that there is no one size fits all solution. Not only do people, and their family relationships differ greatly between individuals, but the value itself is subjective. What’s important to one family may be far down on the list for another. What one couple might find to be a perfect solution could create additional stress for another. The answer starts with open and honest communication. That’s how we approach it with our clients at Blakely Financial.

Create an environment where each member of the family can discuss where the finances are today, and where they would like them to be in the future. For couples, try sitting down once a month, opening a bottle of wine, and reviewing the credit card statement. Create a judgment-free zone, where line by line you review spending habits and come to an agreement on things you’d like to do more or less of. Keep in mind that the objective here is not necessarily creating a budget or identifying wasteful spending, it’s simply to recognize and reconcile each person’s view of the family’s finances.

Financial teamwork strengthens bonds by cultivating a sense of camaraderie and a mutual appreciation for each other’s work. If you and your spouse can calmly and openly discuss spending and savings habits, you will be well on your way to not only financial balance but a healthy happy relationship. Seeking advice and guidance from a financial professional is also a great addition to the conversation. This will quickly set yourself apart from the average American household.

For those with children, discussing dollars and cents may seem a little more difficult if the people at the table are more worried about superheroes and sleepovers than they are with financial responsibility. Once again this will need to be a discussion that couples have together on how best to involve children in the family finances. Keeping everyone at the table after dinner to discuss a savings goal may be a good place to start. Beginning with something tangible, a reward even, may also lead to some interesting discussion.

Bring the family together to decide on where next year’s vacation might be, discuss the costs associated, and in simple terms draw up a savings goal for your trip. Each month discuss how much you were able to save, how much you have set aside, and how close you are to achieving your goal. Encourage your children to contribute small allowances and thank them for doing so. When trip time comes around, recognize that you are only able to enjoy this experience because of the hard work and patience you showed in saving up.

Something as simple as creating a basic family budget, where monthly amounts are discussed amongst everyone at the table can begin to introduce your children to the concept of planning out income and expenses ahead of time rather than taking them on as they come. In an era where most families are living paycheck to paycheck, you will be giving your children a head start to communicating about finances. As many people learn the hard way, we inherit many of our habits and behaviors from our parents, good and bad. Even if your children are only loosely connected to the discussion, they will be internalizing some very important skills. You will be giving them exposure to prudence, cooperation, and communication, valuable traits that will serve them well for the rest of their lives, and their children’s lives.

The importance of having a family finance conversation cannot be understated. Money is threaded through everything that you and your family hope to do in your lives, and it can make or break you. Don’t procrastinate or let tensions boil over concerning finances. Be a family that cooperates and plans together. This holiday season schedule in a “Family Financial Meeting”. You will be able to experience more, together, for generations to come.

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at WWW.BLAKELYFINANCIAL.COM to see what other financial tips we can provide towards your financial well-being.

ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP® is a financial advisor with BLAKELY FINANCIAL, INC. located at 1022 Hutton Ln., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262. He is the founder and president of Blakely Financial, Inc. celebrating 25 years in business.

Blakely Financial, Inc. is an independent financial planning and investment management firm that provides clarity, insight, and guidance to help our clients attain their financial goals.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

Best Practices When Saving For Retirement

Posted on by Robert Blakely

Presented by ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP®, AIF®, CHFC®

It is “Save for Retirement Week.” One essential step in saving for retirement is to start as early as possible. It is more fun to get instant gratification from buying that five-dollar coffee or those fancy new designer shoes, but sometimes stepping back and thinking about your future goals will stop you from making a decision that may hurt you. Starting early and being disciplined will help you reach your goals and make retirement more enjoyable.

Write Your Goals Down

We suggest that you begin by writing down your financial goals. Writing them down makes it more likely to stay the course and achieve those goals. Meeting with a financial advisor to develop a strategy to achieve your goals is significant. And revisiting these goals often will keep you committed, driven, and on track.

Participate in Company’s 401(k)

One of the most important financial planning strategies in saving for retirement is to contribute to your company’s retirement plan and be sure to maximize your employer’s 401(k) match. Participating in your company’s plan and taking advantage of that extra money that is matched will help to accelerate your growth potential and get you on the road to a comfortable retirement.

Stay On Budget

Another crucial step in saving for retirement is staying within your budget. Budgeting is vital this time of year, with the holidays upon us and the temptations to purchase extras throughout the next couple of months. So often, we get caught up in the holiday spirit and forget about our bills during this time. To ensure that you do not overspend this season now is the perfect time to create a realistic holiday spending budget that won’t break the budget.

Saving for retirement does not have to be complicated. Start early, identify your goals, stay on budget, and maximize any matching money available to you, and you will be on the road to achieving your dreams and goals. And as always, meeting with your financial advisor will help you stick with your plan.

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at WWW.BLAKELYFINANCIAL.COM to see what other financial tips we can provide towards your financial well-being.

ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP® is a financial advisor with BLAKELY FINANCIAL, INC., located at 1022 Hutton Ln., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262. He is the founder and president of Blakely Financial, Inc. celebrating 25 years in business.

Blakely Financial, Inc. is an independent financial planning and investment management firm that provides clarity, insight, and guidance to help our clients attain their financial goals.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

Will the Election Sink the Markets?

Posted on by Robert Blakely

Presented by ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP®, AIF®, CHFC®

Recently, I have been getting a number of questions from people who are scared about what might happen to the financial markets at election time. The fear is that if we get a disputed election, it could lead to disruption and possibly even violence. If so, we could well see markets take a significant hit.

It’s a real fear—and one that, in many respects, I share. In 2000, the hanging chad debacle in Florida hit markets, and this election could well be even more disputed than that one. Markets also share the fear, in that expectations of volatility have spiked in November as measured in the options markets. From a political standpoint, unless there is a blowout win by one side or the other, we are almost certain to get litigation and an unresolved election, like in 2000. A substantial market reaction would be quite possible.

Should Investors Care?

Which raises the following question: what, if anything, should we do about it? I think there are two answers here. For traders, people who actively follow the market, this might be a chance to try to make money off that volatility. This approach is risky—many try and not all succeed. But if you are a trader and want to try your luck, this might be a good opportunity.

For investors who have a longer, goal-focused horizon, my question is this: why should you care? One reader mentioned an 8 percent decline in 2000 over the election. Well, we just saw a decline of just about that magnitude in the past couple of weeks. We saw a decline about four times as large earlier this year with the pandemic. And, at some point in almost every year, we see a larger decline than that. So, we get a decline in November. So what? We see declines all the time. Over time, they don’t matter.

Will We See Longer-Term Declines?

The real question here, for investors, is if we do see a decline, whether it will be short-lived or long-lived. Short-lived, we shouldn’t care. Long-lived? Maybe we should. But will we get a longer-term decline?

We might. Looking at history, however, we probably won’t. Every single time the market has dropped in a meaningful way, it has bounced back. The reason for this is that the market depends on the growth of the U.S. economy. Over time, markets will respond to that growth. If the economy keeps growing, so will the market. So unless the election chaos slows or stops the growth of the U.S. economy over a period of years, it should not derail the market over the long term.

Could the election do just that? I doubt it very much. We could—and very likely will—see a disputed election result. But there are processes in place to resolve that dispute. One way or another, we will have a resolution by Inauguration Day. While we will almost certainly have continued political conflict, we will also have a government in place. From a political perspective, any continued conflict should not disrupt the economy and markets any more than we are already seeing.

The political disconnect between the two sides is not going away. But we already are seeing the effects, and the election won’t change that. The election will be when that disconnect will spike, but that spike will be around a distinct event with an expiration date. The effects likely will be real and substantial, but also temporary.

What Should Investors Do?

We certainly need to be aware of the effects of the election. But as investors, we don’t need to do anything. Like any specific event, however damaging, the election will (as others have) pass. We will get through this, although it might be rough.

Keep calm and carry on.

 

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at WWW.BLAKELYFINANCIAL.COM to see what other financial tips we can provide towards your financial well-being.

ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP® is a financial advisor with BLAKELY FINANCIAL, INC. located at 1022 Hutton Ln., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262. He is the founder and president of Blakely Financial, Inc. celebrating 25 years in business.

Blakely Financial, Inc. is an independent financial planning and investment management firm that provides clarity, insight, and guidance to help our clients attain their financial goals.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

Prepared By Brad McMillan, CFA, CAIA, MAI

Finance101: Budgeting for College Students

Posted on by Robert Blakely

Authored by ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP®, AIF®, CHFC®

Budgeting for College Students

Your spending habits now impact not only your current well-being but forge the path for long-term future spending. Managing money and setting spending goals may be the last thing you want to think about after a busy day of classes, playing sports, and spending time with friends. But developing good habits now is worth the effort. In today’s blog, we would like to share our thoughts on how to think about your spending habits and create a budget that you can live with.

Studies have found that students who observe spending limits and savings goals early are less stressed when it comes to money and many have nest eggs when they graduate. Setting a budget does not need to be daunting and complicated.  Begin with the following:

  • Identify Your Expenses

Know the cost of room and board, textbooks and school supplies, and transportation. Add in any clothing, entertainment, laundry and food expenses.

  • Track Your Spending and Cut Back Where You Can

Keeping an eye on how you are spending your money does not need to be stressful. With the many on-line tools today like Mint and Left to Spend, you can easily pay attention to what money you have coming in and what money you have going out. Monitor this and see where you might be able to cut back. Perhaps you find that you are not utilizing your full meal plan. Next semester cut back to the lower plan. Buy used textbooks; purchase a coffee maker instead of those expensive coffees; cook for yourself; cancel memberships like Apple Music and use free services like Pandora. Even the smallest changes can bring big results.

  • Look Towards the Future

As you budget for your current expenses, do not forget that when you graduate, you will have certain goals and perhaps large expenditures like a car or a new apartment. Begin saving just a little every day and put it in an account that you will not touch. You will be surprised by how fast that account will grow and by doing this, you will be in a good financial position going forward.

By forming a healthy relationship with money and setting spending goals now, you will build a very strong base for the future. Allowing yourself to look at life after college and working towards those future goals will make it easier to manage as you move forward in your life.

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at WWW.BLAKELYFINANCIAL.COM to see what other financial tips we can provide towards your financial well-being.

ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP® is a financial advisor with BLAKELY FINANCIAL, INC. located at 1022 Hutton Ln., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262. He is the founder and president of Blakely Financial, Inc. celebrating 25 years in business.

Blakely Financial, Inc. is an independent financial planning and investment management firm that provides clarity, insight, and guidance to help our clients attain their financial goals.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

Planning Life’s Biggest Vacation: Setting Retirement Goals

Posted on by Robert Blakely

Authored by ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP®, AIF®, CHFC®

You work all your life and take the time to plan vacations each year with your family, but are you taking the time to plan for the biggest vacation of your life, your retirement?  Many of us get caught up in the day-to-day of life and do not think about the day when you can wake up and do anything you want.

Today, we want to give you some guidelines as to how to begin planning for that ultimate vacation.

Begin by setting your retirement goals early. We see it all the time. People spend so much time planning a summer vacation, with all the details to make it a fabulous trip. But why not take some of that time and energy and begin thinking about your goals after retirement. How do you see yourself once you retire? What would you like to be doing? Where do you want to live? Do you want to buy a beach or mountain house? Do you want to stay near family? By answering these questions, and working with a financial advisor, you can begin to roadmap the steps you need to take to reach those goals.

The old adage, time is of the essence holds true here. What is your time horizon?  When do you plan to retire?  The sooner you determine when you want to retire, the sooner you can set your goals and put your plans in motion. Remember, time is your friend. Planning and saving early will pay dividends in the future.

And one other thing to consider in your overall plan is how much money will you need to save to reach your goals? Without a steady paycheck, you will need to know where your day-to-day living expenses will come from. Social Security, pensions, and individual retirement accounts will all come into play when identifying how much money you need to live. Working with a financial advisor can help you identify the amount of money that you will need at the time of your retirement. There are many tools that an advisor has at his or her disposal to help you work towards those goals.

Just as you are dreaming of that fun summer vacation in the next month, spend some time dreaming about and planning life’s biggest vacation – retirement. By planning ahead and consulting with a financial advisor, you will be prepared to have the biggest vacation of your life when you retire.

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at WWW.BLAKELYFINANCIAL.COM to see what other financial tips we can provide towards your financial well-being.

ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP® is a financial advisor with BLAKELY FINANCIAL, INC. located at 1022 Hutton Ln., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262. He is the founder and president of Blakely Financial, Inc. celebrating 25 years in business.

Blakely Financial, Inc. is an independent financial planning and investment management firm that provides clarity, insight, and guidance to help our clients attain their financial goals.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

Is Now the Time to Buy or Refinance?

Posted on by Robert Blakely

Presented by ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP®, AIF®, CHFC®

June usually marks the height of the spring real estate market; it is National Homeownership Month, after all. And as June comes to an end, this June hasn’t been typical. With job loss numbers in the tens of millions, the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic has put home ownership at risk, with many struggling to make mortgage or rent payments.

There is one unexpected bright spot, though: Interest rates have dipped to historic lows. And, if you’re in a position to take advantage of opportunities to buy a home or refinance a mortgage at an irresistible rate, you may be wondering whether you should.

To Buy or Not to Buy?
It depends. There are pros and cons to buying now, and it really hinges on your specific situation. Here are a few things to consider:

Time, and numbers, are on your side. If you’re a first-time buyer or an investor looking to seize the day, you probably don’t need to rush. Although most of the job losses seem to be behind us and consumer confidence appears to have bottomed out, rates likely will remain low for some time. And, though home values are showing more resiliency than they did in 2008, prices may decrease a bit more, getting you a little more for your money.

Supply, and available credit, are not. Even if you’re willing to brave a fluctuating market, overall inventory is relatively low and there’s little to choose from. Not surprisingly, many sellers are reluctant to list properties during the pandemic and are holding out for more favorable economic conditions. If you’re having trouble finding what you want and are unwilling to wait, don’t rule out working with a developer. Many need cash flow right now, so it could be your chance to make a deal.

Keep in mind the mortgage market hasn’t been immune to the impact of the pandemic, with liquidity dipping along with rates. May saw a tightening of lending standards, according to a recent Mortgage Credit Availability Index report issued by the Mortgage Bankers Association. Cautious lenders are changing underwriting guidelines, so you may expect more stringent credit score and down payment requirements—and your credit will factor into whether you get the best available rate. First-time buyers, in particular, may need to look at various financing options, such as conventional loans with private mortgage insurance or FHA loans, if they have a lower credit score or want to put less down.

Is Refinancing the Right Move?
Historically low interest rates are causing a flurry of activity for existing homeowners, too, and with good reason. Refinancing offers possibilities like reducing your monthly payment, switching from an adjustable to a fixed rate, shortening the life of your loan, or even cashing out a portion of your equity to use toward paying for college, home improvements, or other outstanding debt. Although it may seem like a no-brainer, it’s not always the right move—and you could find yourself with less money in the bank instead of more.

Think long term. The traditional rule of thumb was to refinance if you could lower your current mortgage rate by at least 2 percent. Not anymore. If you can lower your rate by 1 percent or more, you may see significant savings. How much, though, may depend on how far along you are in paying your current loan. For example, if you’re 3 years in and want to shorten your loan from 30 to 15 years, you can save on interest, even if you end up with the same or slighter higher monthly payment, but over much less time. If you’re 10 years into a 30-year loan, however, and want to lower your monthly payment by refinancing for another 30-year term at a lower rate, you may end up paying more in interest over 40 years.

Shop around and do the math. Although refinancing can often save money over the life of your mortgage loan, it can come at a price. In addition to the interest rate, pay attention to things such as closing costs, up-front fees (e.g., appraisal, legal, loan origination, and title search fees), points, and whether the lender will service the full life of your loan. You may find some lenders offer “no points, no closing costs” options at slightly higher interest rates. Finally, consider the costs of the loan against how long you plan to stay in your home. Ideally, you want to break even on your refinancing costs within one year. Be sure to shop lenders and run the numbers with your CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM professional—making meaningful comparisons can help you snag the best possible deal and ensure that savings outweigh costs.

Final Thoughts . . .

Taking advantage of low rates is attractive, but your personal circumstances will dictate whether it’s a good time to buy or refinance, especially with lingering uncertainty around the economy. One caveat: If you’re an investor looking to become a landlord, plan to have an emergency fund of about three months’ salary on reserve (as well as enough funds to cover transactional costs). The economic fallout of the pandemic could affect the ability of residential and commercial tenants to make rental payments.

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at WWW.BLAKELYFINANCIAL.COM to see what other financial tips we can provide towards your financial well-being.

ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP® is a financial advisor with BLAKELY FINANCIAL, INC. located at 1022 Hutton Ln., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262. He is the founder and president of Blakely Financial, Inc. celebrating 25 years in business.

Blakely Financial, Inc. is an independent financial planning and investment management firm that provides clarity, insight, and guidance to help our clients attain their financial goals.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a tax preparer, professional tax advisor, or lawyer

Saving Tips For Your Summer Vacation

Posted on by Robert Blakely

Authored by ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP®, AIF®, CHFC®

Summer is now upon us and you are probably thinking about a vacation. Do not let your finances get in the way of relaxing and having a great time with your family. Here are six simple ways you can prepare for your vacation to ensure you enjoy it to the fullest.

Estimate your costs

To begin planning your family vacation, you will need to research the desired destination. This will give you a better understanding of how much the trip will cost. You will need to take everything into account including identifying the average hotel rate. Factor in transportation costs and determine how much you will spend on food and entertainment. Do not forget to budget in a little extra for emergencies, such as a flat tire or parking charges. Once you gather all your costs, you will see just how much you will need to go on vacation.

Create a realistic budget

Vacations are meant to be fun and relaxing, so do not go into debt going on one. Create a realistic budget that everyone can agree upon. Identify where you can cut costs. Maybe for lunch one day you pack sandwiches for your family instead of eating at a local café or chose to self-park instead of valet. Identifying where you can free up money will help keep costs down and will allow you to enjoy yourself!

Open a vacation savings account

Opening a separate savings account dedicated to vacations is a great opportunity to put money away for that special trip. Each week deposit a decided amount and do not pull the money out until the time comes to take that vacation. Fifty to one hundred dollars a week will build up in no time and you will end up with a nice chuck of change to vacation with. Though it may not be enough to cover the entire cost of your vacation, it will certainly help with your budget.

Cut expenses that drain your pocket now

Do you really need that $5 cup of coffee every morning before work? Buy the same brand of coffee and make it at home. Try cutting back on unnecessary expenses and we promise you will not miss them. Take those dollars you save and put them in your vacation account. You will be pleasantly surprised at how much your vacation budget grows once you cut out those unnecessary purchases.

Plan your stay

Before arriving at your vacation spot, plan your stay. Is there a tourist spot that you would like to visit? Or a well-known restaurant that you are dying to try? Look up coupons for that area on-line or call the local travel center to see if they have any discount deals available. This will prepare you ahead of the trip and save you a couple of dollars in the process.

Staycation

Of course, if money is tight, or you prefer the comfort of your own bed, you do not have to travel anywhere to relax. Plan a ‘staycation’. Turn off your phone and become a tourist in your own town. Visit museums. Go to local parks. Pack a picnic lunch and a blanket and go out into your backyard for a fun dinner under the stars. Get creative and you might even enjoy being able to just relax at home without worrying about a budget.

No matter where you might go for your summer getaway, remember that budgeting is always a good idea and planning ahead takes the stress out of travel.

Enjoy your summer and always remember to consult with your financial advisor to work towards those travel dreams goals as well as your financial future.

 

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at WWW.BLAKELYFINANCIAL.COM to see what other financial tips we can provide towards your financial well-being.

ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP® is a financial advisor with BLAKELY FINANCIAL, INC. located at 1022 Hutton Ln., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262. He is the founder and president of Blakely Financial, Inc. celebrating 25 years in business.

Blakely Financial, Inc. is an independent financial planning and investment management firm that provides clarity, insight, and guidance to help our clients attain their financial goals.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

Charitable Giving Incentives Under the CARES Act

Posted on by Robert Blakely

Presented by Robert Blakely CFP®, AIF®, ChFC®

With many individuals and families facing catastrophic hardships because of the COVID-19 pandemic, charitable giving to those most adversely affected has become increasingly important. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, enacted in March, includes tax provisions designed to incentivize individuals and companies to make charitable contributions in 2020. These charitable giving incentives do not require that donations be made to charities assisting in the pandemic.

Above-the-Line Charitable Deduction

For the 2020 tax year, each taxpayer can take an above-the-line charitable deduction of up to $300 for certain charitable contributions. Typically, charitable contributions are deductible only for individuals and couples who itemize their deductions; however, this new deduction applies only to those taking the standard deduction. Most taxpayers use the standard deduction since the passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, which removed many itemized deductions.

Contributions to a donor-advised fund are not eligible for this above-the-line deduction; therefore, to take this new deduction, taxpayers should verify they are contributing to an eligible charitable cause.

Income Cap Removed for Charitable Contributions

Although the above-the-line deduction is not available for those who itemize their deductions, the CARES Act did make changes to certain tax limitations for those who itemize to incentivize larger gifts. For 2020, the deduction available on cash contributions to charitable organizations has been increased from 60 percent of a taxpayer’s adjusted gross income (AGI) to 100 percent. Taxpayers can carry donations greater than 100 percent of their AGI to future years.

Importantly, this applies only to cash contributions and not to long-term appreciated assets, which enjoy long-term capital gain tax treatment. The charitable deduction for long-term appreciated assets is still capped at 30 percent of AGI. For corporations, the deductibility of cash contributions has been increased temporarily from 10 percent to 25 percent of taxable income.

Like the restrictions related to the above-the-line deduction, the removal of the AGI cap does not apply to gifts made to donor-advised funds.

How Are Qualified Charitable Distributions Affected?

Under the CARES Act, individuals who were required to take a withdrawal from their retirement account in 2020 no longer must do so. How does that waiver of required minimum distributions (RMDs) affect qualified charitable distributions (QCDs)? In short, it doesn’t. Individuals older than 70½ are entitled to make tax-free gifts of up to $100,000 per year, payable directly to charity, from their IRAs. In years when an RMD is required, a QCD of at least the RMD amount would satisfy an individual’s RMD requirement for the year.

Keep in mind that QCDs aren’t required, nor are they limited to the RMD amount. Therefore, the CARES Act has not affected an individual’s ability to make a QCD of up to $100,000 in 2020.

An Excellent Time to Give

With so many in dire need of assistance, it’s a wonderful time to help the community through charitable giving. As a bonus for their generosity, individuals and companies should be sure to use these new tax incentives in 2020.

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at WWW.BLAKELYFINANCIAL.COM to see what other financial tips we can provide towards your financial well-being.

ROBERT BLAKELY, CFP® is a financial advisor with BLAKELY FINANCIAL, INC. located at 1022 Hutton Ln., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262. He is the founder and president of Blakely Financial, Inc. celebrating 25 years in business.

Blakely Financial, Inc. is an independent financial planning and investment management firm that provides clarity, insight, and guidance to help our clients attain their financial goals.

Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.

This material has been provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute either tax or legal advice. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a tax preparer, professional tax advisor, or lawyer.

© 2020 Commonwealth Financial Network®