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Helping Your Child Build Credit

Helping Your Child Build Credit

If you are the parent of a teenager or a child who will soon become one, you should consider helping them build credit from a young age. Teaching your children how credit cards work can help them integrate sound spending habits and a strong understanding of money. As a parent, setting your kids up for success is probably one of your top priorities, and helping them build credit is a great way to do this! 

Why Should You Help Your Child Build Credit?

There are huge benefits to having a good credit score, and it can be difficult to build credit from scratch. When your child reaches the age to start making major purchases or applying for loans, a strong credit score will help them significantly. Starting your child off with healthy spending habits and a strong understanding of credit will help them immensely down the line; it is better for them to make small mistakes at a young age than potentially drastic ones later in life! Giving your teen a credit card can also be an opportunity to teach them about managing money and making responsible financial decisions. You can help them set a budget, keep track of their spending, and understand how interest and fees work.

When Should Your Child Have Their First Credit Card?

Because children cannot open a credit card until they are 18, you may consider adding them as an authorized user on your account before then. Doing so could help them establish credit history, ensuring they will be better qualified to open a good credit card when they are old enough. Regardless of the reasons you choose to give your child a credit card, most parents agree it is a good idea for teens to have one in case of an emergency. Ultimately, when your child first gets a credit card is up to you, but they should be prepared to have a credit card by age 18 or before going to college. 

How Do You Teach Your Children to be Responsible?

Ideally, your child should have a strong sense of financial responsibility before they are old enough to open a credit card. Teaching your child about money can begin at a very young age, even through abstract methods. If you are going to be responsible for paying your child’s credit card bill, sit down with them each month and review their spending habits to assess whether or not they are using the card responsibly. Setting limits and establishing the difference between wants and needs will help your child make smart decisions, and also help them down the line when using money of their own. Make sure they understand why you have given them a credit card –  it’s not a gift of unlimited spending. If your child opts to spend their allowed funds on a purchase you do not agree with- let them! As long as they are spending within their limits, they should have to learn for themselves which purchases are going to satisfy them in the long run. 

What Type of Card Should They Have?

There are many different options for credit cards- and your child should understand the difference between them before they look into opening one for themselves. If you are choosing their first card, you would most likely want to open one that offers low-interest rates, low fees, and a manageable credit limit. This type of card is great for a teenager’s first experience using credit, as it will not cost you very much and lowers the risk of your child overspending. 

 

Setting your child up for a successful future is an admirable feat, and teaching them proper money management skills can go a long way! No matter how you decide to help them build credit, your child will thank you down the line for the smart decision-making skills you have imparted to them. 

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. 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.
Commonwealth Financial Network® or Blakely Financial does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult a legal or tax professional regarding your individual situation.
Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser
Financial Wellness Month – Time to Review, Learn & Plan

Financial Wellness Month – Time to Review, Learn & Plan

Financial wellness month is the perfect time to take a look at your savings plans and learn new ways to be financially independent. Even if you are satisfied with your current level of financial knowledge, there is always more to learn! Take some time this month to look into a certain aspect of financial wellness you are curious about or think you could improve upon. Here are some of our top tips to help you on your path to financial freedom! 

Improve Your Knowledge

If you have been curious about certain aspects of financial wellness, there are hundreds of great books out there that can answer all your questions. Freakonomics takes a sociological approach to financial thinking and examines the ways in which you can apply economic rationale to your everyday life. Though this book does not provide specific tips for saving and spending, it may change the way you think about wealth and the economy overall. Think and Grow Rich is perhaps the single most popular piece of motivational literature there is. This book examines the most successful people of all time in an attempt to answer the question “what makes a winner?”. Though the title “Think and Grow Rich” may imply that it is all about money, the book instead focuses on the self-confidence required to be successful, and how it can be learned and taught. 

In addition to reading books, there are also a myriad of online resources that can assist you in your research. The Blakely Financial blogs and newsletters contain tips on personal finance and investments to help you increase your financial savvy. Simply reading an article or two a day can increase your financial knowledge throughout the course of the month! 

Small Changes Add Up

Small changes can make a big impact on your finances! If attaining your goals feels like an impossible task, start small. Over time, your smart habits will become routine, and your ambitions will no longer feel out of reach. This can be done by limiting your takeout meals, canceling unused subscriptions, or even just buying generic brand items at the grocery store. These types of changes may feel overly frugal, but they can quickly add up to significant savings you can use on more important purchases and adventures later. 

Emergency Fund

One of the most important, but easily forgotten, aspects of a sound financial plan is an emergency fund. This money should be easily accessible, and significant enough to protect you from unexpected crises. Medical emergencies, car problems, and home repairs can severely affect your budget. Having cash set aside for such events will not only prepare you for the worst but decrease your stress level as you will be confident in your ability to handle anything life throws your way. 

Work with a Financial Advisor

Perhaps the best thing you can do for yourself this financial wellness month is to seek the advice of a professional. A trained financial advisor can build you a custom plan to guide you to your long-term financial goals. Please feel free to contact our team at Blakely Financial today to help get you started.

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. 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.
Commonwealth Financial Network® or Blakely Financial does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult a legal or tax professional regarding your individual situation.
Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.
Investing as a Couple

Love & Finances: How to Invest as a Couple

In a perfect world, both halves of a couple share the same investment goals and agree on the best way to try to reach them. It doesn’t always work that way, though; disagreements about money are often a source of friction between couples. You may be risk averse, while your spouse may be comfortable investing more aggressively — or vice versa. How can you bridge that gap?

First, define your goals

Making good investment decisions is difficult if you don’t know what you’re investing for. Make sure you’re on the same page — or at least reading from the same book — when it comes to financial goal setting. Knowing where you’re headed is the first step toward developing a road map for dealing jointly with investments.

In some cases, you may have the same goals, but put a different priority on each one or have two different time frames for a specific goal. For example, your spouse may want to retire as soon as possible, while you’re anxious to accept a new job that means advancement in your career, even if it means staying put or moving later. Coming to a general agreement on what your priorities are and roughly when you hope to achieve each one can greatly simplify the process of deciding how to invest.

Make sure the game plan is clear

Making sure both spouses know how and (equally important) why their money is invested in a certain way can help minimize marital blowback if investment choices don’t work out as anticipated. Second-guessing rarely improves any relationship. Making sure that both partners understand from the beginning why an investment was chosen, as well as its risks and potential rewards, may help moderate the impulse to say “I told you so” later.

Investing doesn’t have to be either/or. A diversified portfolio should have a place for both conservative and more aggressive investments. Though diversification and asset allocation can’t guarantee a profit or protect against a loss, they are ways to manage the type and level of risk you face — including the risks involved in bickering with your spouse.

It takes two

Aside from attempting to minimize marital strife, there’s another good reason to make sure both spouses understand how their money is invested and why. If only one person makes all the decisions — even if that person is the more experienced investor — what if something were to happen to that individual? The other spouse might have to make decisions at a very vulnerable time — decisions that could have long-term consequences.

If you’re the less experienced investor, take the responsibility for making sure you have at least a basic understanding of how your resources are invested. If you’re suddenly the one responsible for all decisions, you should at least know enough to protect yourself from fraud and/or work effectively with a financial professional to help manage your money.

If you’re the more conservative investor …

  • If you’re unfamiliar with a specific investment, research it. Though past performance is no guarantee of future returns, understanding how an investment typically has behaved in the past or how it compares to other investment possibilities could give you a better perspective on why your spouse is interested in it.
  • Consider whether there are investments that are less aggressive than what your spouse is proposing but that still push you out of your comfort zone and might represent a compromise position. For example, if you don’t want to invest a large amount in a single stock, a mutual fund or an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that invests in that sector might be a way to compromise. (Before investing in a mutual fund or ETF, carefully consider its investment objective, risks, charges, and expenses, which can be found in the prospectus available from the fund. Read it carefully before investing.) Or you could compromise by making a small investment, watching for an agreed-upon length of time to see how it performs, and then deciding whether to invest more.
  • Finally, there may be ways to offset, reduce, or manage the risk involved in a particular investment. Some investments benefit from circumstances that hurt others; for example, a natural disaster that cuts the profits of insurance companies could be beneficial for companies that are hired to rebuild in that area. Many investors try to hedge the risks involved in one investment by purchasing another with very different risks. However, remember that even though hedging could potentially reduce your overall level of risk, doing so probably would also reduce any return you might earn if the other investment is profitable.

If you’re the more aggressive investor …

  • Listen respectfully to your spouse’s concerns. Additional information may increase a spouse’s comfort level, but you won’t know what’s needed if you automatically dismiss any objections. If you don’t have the patience to educate your spouse, a third party who isn’t emotionally involved might be better at explaining your point of view.
  • Concealing the potential pitfalls of an investment about which you’re enthusiastic could make future joint decisions more difficult if your credibility suffers because of a loss. As with most marital issues, transparency and trust are key.
  • A spouse who’s more cautious than you are may help you remember to assess the risks involved or keep trading costs down by reducing the churn in your portfolio.
  • Remember that you can make changes in your portfolio gradually. You might be able to help your spouse get more comfortable with taking on additional risk by spreading the investment out over time rather than investing a lump sum. And if you’re an impulsive investor, try not to act until you can consult your partner — or be prepared to face the consequences.

What if you still can’t agree?

You could consider investing a certain percentage of your combined resources aggressively, an equal percentage conservatively, and a third percentage in a middle-ground choice. This would give each partner equal input and control of the decision-making process, even if one has a larger balance in his or her individual account.

Another approach is to use separate asset allocations to balance competing interests. If both spouses have workplace retirement plans, the risk taker could invest the largest portion of his or her plan in an aggressive choice and put a smaller portion in an option with which a spouse is comfortable. The conservative partner could invest the bulk of his or her money in a relatively conservative choice and put a smaller piece in a more aggressive selection on which both spouses agree.

Or you could divide responsibility for specific goals. For example, the more conservative half could be responsible for the money that’s being saved for a house down payment in five years. The other partner could take charge of longer-term goals that may benefit from taking greater risk in pursuit of potentially higher returns. You also could consider setting a predetermined limit on how much the risk taker can put into riskier investments.

 

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. 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

Commonwealth Financial Network® or Blakely Financial does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult a legal or tax professional regarding your individual situation.

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

Planning for Major Spending Events

Planning for Major Spending Events

Your financial plan likely involves standard savings goals, such as retirement or education costs, but do you have savings prepared for expensive life events? The beginning of the year is a great time to take inventory of any upcoming life events and begin mapping out a savings plan. Your long-term plans should include funds set aside to celebrate some of life’s best moments! 

Weddings

If you plan on getting married in the future, or plan to fund your child’s wedding, saving should start early. The venue, food, and music can be incredibly expensive- and prices are only continuing to increase. Weddings should be a joyous celebration- not a time to stress about debt. Identifying wants and needs long before the event, and prioritizing spending on which aspects of a wedding are most important, is essential to avoid overspending.  If you prepare yourself early enough, you can throw a wedding without the constraints of a limited budget, and simply enjoy yourself and the special day. 

Graduations

Graduating from high school or college is a momentous occasion in anyone’s life. If you have a child or loved one in school, think about how they may want to celebrate their graduation! Many parents give their children a large gift, a check, or a vacation to celebrate their accomplishments. If you are planning a party as well, familiarize yourself with the expenses involved and communicate expressly with your child about their expectations. The most important part of graduating is celebrating your loved one’s accomplishment, money should not hold you back from showing your pride! 

Moving

Congratulations- you have purchased a new house! However, in the midst of the mayhem of the home-buying process, you may have forgotten about moving expenses. Depending on the distance of your move, it can be incredibly expensive to rent a truck, hire professional movers, or ship your belongings. Make sure you have set aside adequate funds for all aspects of purchasing a new home- not just funds for the home itself! 

Birthdays

Some birthdays hold more significance than others. If you or a family member are anticipating a major birthday in the coming years, start setting funds aside now to celebrate them! For instance, many people see a 50th birthday as a significant milestone and throw a more elaborate party than in other years. If you are interested in planning a trip, throwing a party, or even just purchasing an expensive gift for a loved one, make sure you have considered the funding in advance. 

At the end of the day, our wealth should be used to enjoy some of the best parts of life! Don’t let a lack of planning prevent you from celebrating yourself and your loved ones on important occasions. If you are interested in building a new financial plan that includes these types of funds, contact Blakely Financial to speak with one of our trusted advisors.

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. 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.
Commonwealth Financial Network® or Blakely Financial does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult a legal or tax professional regarding your individual situation.
Securities and advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser.
Blakely Financial Market Update Image

2022 Year End Blakely Financial Market Update

Happy New Year! So much has happened in 2022. Watch now for highlights and some items we’re focused on as we transition into 2023.

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.

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.

Tips for Managing my Money in the New Year

The 4 A’s of Your Personal Finances

As the saying goes, there is no better time than the present. When it comes to setting up a system for managing your personal finances, the beginning of a new year is the perfect time to begin. The easiest way to be successful with a cash management program is to develop a systematic and disciplined approach. Spending a few minutes each week to maintain your cash management program can help you to keep track of how you spend your money and pursue your financial goals.

Any good cash management system revolves around the four As – Accounting, Analysis, Allocation, and Adjustment.

Accounting 

Accounting involves gathering all your relevant financial information together and keeping it close at hand for future reference. Gathering all your financial information — such as income and expenses — and listing it systematically will give you a clear picture of your overall financial situation.

It’s important to note all of your expenses, subscriptions, memberships, and more. The small items add up quickly.

Analysis 

Next, you need to sit down and review your financial situation once you have accounted for all your income and expenses. You will almost invariably find yourself with either a shortfall or a surplus. Ideally, you should be spending less than you earn, if this isn’t the case, you will need to take a very close look at your spending habits. 

Allocation 

Now you must determine your financial commitments and priorities and distribute your income accordingly. One of the most important factors in allocation is to distinguish between your real needs and your wants. If you need to reduce your expenses, you may want to start out by cutting back on your discretionary spending. This can help to free up cash that can either be invested for the long term or used to pay off fixed debt.

Adjustment 

Even with a set budget, it’s important to be flexible and account for needed changes. You may want to review your budget monthly, quarterly or biannually to be sure it fits your lifestyle and needs, wants, and wishes Above all, be flexible. Any budget that is too rigid is likely to fail.

Using the four As is an excellent way to help you monitor your financial situation to ensure that you are on the right track to meet your financial goals.

Commonwealth Financial Network® or Blakely Financial does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult a legal or tax professional regarding your individual situation.

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.

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.

The Importance of Establishing a Budget in the New Year

Establishing Your 2023 Financial Goals

As we enter 2023, there is constant talk about New Year’s resolutions and how to make this year better than the last. If you’re looking to start this year on the right foot, your finances are a great place to start. Below are tips to get started and a few ideas to keep you on track. 

1. Examine your financial goals

Before you establish a budget, you should examine your financial goals. Start by making a list of your short-term goals (e.g., new car, vacation) and your long-term goals (e.g., your child’s college education, retirement). Next, ask yourself: How important is it for me to achieve this goal? How much will I need to save? Armed with a clear picture of your goals, you can work toward establishing a budget that can help you reach them. At Blakely Financial, we often refer to your needs, wants, and wishes. This method can work for retirement as well as monthly budgeting.

2. Identify your current monthly income and expenses

To develop a budget that is appropriate for your lifestyle, you’ll need to identify your current monthly income and expenses. You can jot the information down with a pen and paper, or you can use one of the many software programs available that are designed specifically for this purpose.

Start by adding up all of your income. In addition to your regular salary and wages, be sure to include other types of income, such as dividends, interest, and child support. Next, add up all of your expenses. To see where you have a choice in your spending, it helps to divide them into two categories: fixed expenses (e.g., housing, food, clothing, transportation) and discretionary expenses (e.g., entertainment, vacations, hobbies). You’ll also want to make sure that you have identified any out-of-pattern expenses, such as holiday gifts, car maintenance, home repair, and so on. To make sure that you’re not forgetting anything, it may help to look through canceled checks, credit card bills, and other receipts from the past year. Finally, as you list your expenses, it is important to remember your financial goals. Whenever possible, treat your goals as expenses and contribute toward them regularly.

3. Evaluate your budget

Once you’ve added up all of your income and expenses, compare the two totals. To get ahead, you should be spending less than you earn. If this is the case, you’re on the right track, and you need to look at how well you use your extra income. If you find yourself spending more than you earn, you’ll need to make some adjustments. Look at your expenses closely and cut down on your discretionary spending. And remember, if you do find yourself coming up short, don’t worry! All it will take is some determination and a little self-discipline, and you’ll eventually get it right.

4. Monitor your budget

You’ll need to monitor your budget periodically and make changes when necessary. But keep in mind that you don’t have to keep track of every penny that you spend. In fact, the less record-keeping you have to do, the easier it will be to stick to your budget. Above all, be flexible. Any budget that is too rigid is likely to fail. So be prepared for the unexpected (e.g., a leaky roof, failed car transmission).

Tips to help you stay on track

  • Involve the entire family: Agree on a budget up front and meet regularly to check your progress
  • Stay disciplined: Try to make budgeting a part of your daily routine
  • Start your new budget at a time when it will be easy to follow and stick with the plan (e.g., the beginning of the year, as opposed to right before the holidays)
  • Find a budgeting system that fits your needs (e.g., budgeting software)
  • Establish your needs, wants, and wishes.
  • Build rewards into your budget (e.g., eat out every other week)
  • Avoid using credit cards to pay for everyday expenses: It may seem like you’re spending less, but your credit card debt will continue to increase

Commonwealth Financial Network® or Blakely Financial does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult a legal or tax professional regarding your individual situation.

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.

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.

Blakely Financial Investment Committee Updates

2022 Investment Committee Updates

As 2022 comes to a close, it is helpful to look back on the changes we have made to keep up with the market to help you continue on the path toward your financial goals. We hope this information gives you more insight into our investing philosophies and strategies, so you can be confident in your choice to work with Blakely Financial. 

What has the Investment Committee been doing to keep up with the volatile market?

Here at Blakely Financial, we base our decisions on the long-term future of your investments combined with your overall goals. Though it can be difficult to navigate a bear market, rational thinking and patience are the best ways to ensure the success of your investments over time. There were a number of changes this year but none of them would be considered radical adjustments or departures from our long-term investment objectives; the overall allocations of stocks to bonds remains largely the same and we don’t recommend any changes in that area. It’s very possible that the drawdown in the first half – and the ongoing choppiness today – is the market pricing in this economic weakness. By the time a recession arrives, if it ever does, the market may have already moved on.

How does the Investment Committee stay up-to-date on market trends?

We constantly monitor the economy, the markets, and your portfolios to assess how our chosen investments are performing, and decide if changes are necessary or prudent. These efforts constitute a significant part of our everyday work. We keep a close eye on even the slightest changes in trends so that you don’t have to! Though we do not use market timing as a strategy, we use all of the information we gather on a daily basis to inform any portfolio adjustments. 

What are some examples of portfolio adjustments? 

We recently executed a number of trades in early August, here is a high-level summary of those changes:

  • Decreased international developed exposure
  • Increased U.S. exposure in Large-Cap Growth and Value
  • Increased U.S. exposure in Mid-Cap Value
  • Marginally increased duration positioning
  • Adjusted credit exposure
  • Systematic Multi-Strategy fund replaced some fixed income.
  • Proportionately reduced all fixed-income funds; using alternative and multi-strategy funds as complement/substitute for fixed income.

 

Though nobody can predict for certain what 2023 has in store for us, here at Blakely Financial we are confident in the future of your investments, and the decisions we have made in the past year. 

 

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.

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.

Market Timing: More Risk than Reward

If you turn on the news, you are bound to see discussion about the uncertainty of the current financial market. When you log into social media, it’s easy to find hundreds of “experts” discussing “buy now” and “sell now” strategies. The idea of properly timing investments for a quick return is not a strategy we believe in and is not something we ever recommend for clients. In this article, we will discuss why we don’t believe in investing based on market timing. 

What is Market Timing? 

A practice typically used by day traders, market timing refers to the process of using predictive methods to determine when to move investment money in or out of a financial market. Certain investors believe if they can predict the movements of the market, they can buy and sell to create a significant return.

According to Investopedia, “many investors, academics, and financial professionals believe it is impossible to time the market.For the majority of investors, engaging in market timing produces lower returns than long-term strategies.

Though some traders claim to have success with this method, there are no guarantees when it comes to the stock market.  As professional financial planners, the Blakely Financial team will always stress the importance of the time your funds stay invested rather than encouraging investments based on an opportune time. 

The Buy and Hold Strategy

The buy-and-hold strategy is essentially the opposite of market timing. Basically, with buy-and-hold, you purchase securities and hold on to them regardless of how the market is performing. Historically, this method yields significantly higher returns than market timing.

It is difficult to predict the ebbs and flows of the stock market. In the current bear market, it’s important to remember that historically, after every bear market, a bull market follows. Overall, the U.S stock market is positive most of the time, and bull markets last more than twice as long as bear markets. Though it can be difficult to navigate a bear market, rational thinking and patience are the best ways to ensure the success of your investments over time. 

Avoid Emotional Strategies

When experiencing a rough patch, successful investors will look toward the future instead of taking drastic steps to correct a loss. If the market is trending downward, you may feel compelled to sell off stocks for fear of more substantial losses. On the other end of the spectrum, some may feel pressure to “buy the dip” with hope that prices will soon rise again rather than continue to fall. These reactions operate under contradictory assumptions, and can be incredibly risky maneuvers. Additionally, the financial and emotional stress of monitoring price changes so closely is rarely, if ever, worth it.

Choosing your investments intentionally based on your overall financial goals can give you peace of mind regardless of the state of the market. When you are experiencing stress or fear in regards to your portfolio, review your investments with your Financial Advisor, they will be able to provide the insight you need.

In closing:

Historically, the buy-and-hold method yields significantly higher returns than market timing. Attempting to time the market is not a strategy Blakely Financial supports, regardless of how attractive certain opportunities or indicators may be. The road to financial freedom looks different for everybody, but it is important to prioritize the time your funds stay invested over the timing of your investments. The team at Blakely Financial can guide you toward well-informed, diversified, and long-term investments to grow your wealth over time. 

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.

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.