Category: Uncategorized

Presented by Emily Promise, AIF®, APMA®, CRPC®

Being a woman who is in her 20s, I personally have been introduced to the realities of adulthood and I am sure you can relate if you are around that 20-30 year old mark. While you’re excited by all the opportunities life has to offer, you are also aware of your emerging financial responsibility. In the financial realm, the millennial generation (young adults born between 1981 and 1997) faces a unique set of challenges, including a competitive job market and significant student loan debt that can make it difficult to obtain financial stability.

At Blakely Financial, we have seen poor money management lead to debt, stress, and dependency on others. Fortunately, good money management skills can make it easier for you to accomplish your personal goals. Become familiar with the basics of planning now, and your future self will thank you for being responsible.

Figure out your financial goals

I have found that setting goals is an important part of life, particularly when it comes to your finances. Over time, your goals will probably change, which will likely require you to make some adjustments. Start by asking yourself the following questions:

• What are my short-term goals (e.g., new car, vacation)?
• What are my intermediate-term goals (e.g., buying a home)?
• What are my long-term goals (e.g., saving for your child’s college education, retirement)?
• How important is it for me to achieve each goal?
• How much will I need to save for each goal?

Once you have a clear picture of your goals, you can establish a budget that will help you target them.

Build a budget

A budget helps you stay on track with your finances. There are several steps you’ll need to take to establish a budget. Start by identifying your current monthly income and expenses. This is easier than it sounds: Simply add up all of your sources of income. Do the same thing with your expenses, making sure to include discretionary expenses (e.g., entertainment, travel, hobbies) as well as fixed expenses (e.g., housing, food, utilities, transportation).

Compare the totals. Are you spending more than you earn? This means you’ll need to make some adjustments to get back on track. Look at your discretionary expenses to identify where you can scale back your spending. It might take some time and self-discipline to get your budget where it needs to be, but you’ll develop healthy financial habits along the way.

On the other hand, you may discover that you have extra money that you can put toward savings. Pay yourself first by adding to your retirement account or emergency fund. Building up your savings using extra income can help ensure that you accomplish your financial goals over the long term.

Establish an emergency fund

In my work with Blakely Financial, one of the biggest mistakes is not having an emergency fund. It’s an unpleasant thought, but a financial crisis could strike when you least expect it, so you’ll want to be prepared. Protect yourself by setting up a cash reserve so you have funds available in the event you’re confronted with an unexpected expense. Otherwise you may need to use money that you have earmarked for another purpose–such as a down payment on a home–or go into debt.

You may be familiar with advice that you should have three to six months’ worth of living expenses in your cash reserve. In reality, though, the amount you should save depends on your particular circumstances. Consider factors like job security, health, income, and debts owed when deciding how much money should be in your cash reserve.

A good way to accumulate emergency funds is to earmark a percentage of your paycheck each pay period. When you reach your goal, don’t stop adding money–the more you have saved, the better off you’ll be.

Review your cash reserve either annually or when your financial situation changes. Major milestones like a new baby or homeownership will likely require some adjustments.

Be careful with credit cards

Getting my first credit card was so exciting! Credit cards can be useful in helping you monitor how much you spend, but they can also lead you to spend more than you can afford. Before accepting a credit card offer, evaluate it carefully by doing the following:

• Read the terms and conditions closely
• Know what the interest rate is and how it is calculated
• Understand hidden fees such as late-payment charges and over-limit fees
• Look for rewards and/or incentive programs that will be most beneficial to you

Contact the credit card issuer if you have questions about the language used in an offer. And if you are trying to decide between two or more credit card offers, be sure to evaluate them to determine which will work best for you.

Bear in mind that your credit card use affects your credit score. Avoid overspending by setting a balance that you’re able to pay off fully each month. That way, you can safely build credit while being financially responsible. Take into account that missed payments of any sort can cause your credit score to suffer. In turn, this could make it more difficult and expensive to borrow money later.

Deal with your existing debt

At this stage in your life, you might be dealing with student loan debt and wondering how you can pay it off. Fortunately, there are many repayment plans that make it easier to pay off student loans. Check to see whether you qualify for income-sensitive repayment options or Income-Based Repayment. Even if you’re not eligible, you may be able to refinance or consolidate your loans to make the repayment schedule easier on your budget. Explore all your options to find out what works best for you.

Beware of new borrowing

You’re doing your best to pay off your existing debt, but you might find that you need to borrow more (for example, for graduate school or a car). Think carefully before you borrow.

Ask yourself the following questions before you do:

• Is this purchase necessary?
• Have you comparison-shopped to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal?
• How much will this loan or line of credit cost over time?
• Can you afford to add another monthly payment to your budget?
• Will the interest rate change if you miss a payment?
• Are your personal finances in good shape at this time, or should you wait to borrow until you’ve paid off pre-existing debt?

Weigh your pre-existing debt against your need to borrow more and determine whether this is a wise decision at this particular point in your life.

Take advantage of technology

If you are in your 20s or 30s like me, you have had access to technology at a young age and this is one major advantage that benefits millennials, compared with our parents and grandparents when they were starting out. These days, there’s virtually an app or a program for everything, and that includes financial basics. Do your homework and find out which ones could be the most helpful to you. Do you need alerts to remind you to pay bills on time? Do you need help organizing your finances? Are you looking for a program that allows you to examine your bank, credit card, investment, and loan account activities all at once?

Researching different programs can also help with number crunching. Many financial apps offer built-in calculators that simplify tasks that may seem overwhelming, such as breaking down a monthly budget or figuring out a loan repayment plan. Experiment with what you find, and you’ll most likely develop skills and insight that you can use as a starting point for future planning.

Although apps are one way to get started, consider working with a financial professional for a more personalized strategy that can help you analyze your current situation and plan for the future. Be honest with yourself about your goals and your ability to make smart decisions and revisit those goals frequently and continue to increase investments in yourself. You will be so happy you did!

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

EMILY PROMISE is a financial advisor with BLAKELY FINANCIAL, INC. located at 1022 Hutton Ln., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262 and can be reached at (336) 885-2530.

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 Broadridge Advisor Solutions

Authored by Brad McMillan, CFA, CAIA, MAI
Presented by Robert Blakely, CFP®, AIF®, CHFC®

It is now clear that the coronavirus has escaped the attempted containment by Chinese authorities and has spread around the world. According to the World Health Organization, there are 79,331 confirmed cases, of which 77,262 are in China and 2,069 are outside of China (as of February 24, 2020). The two largest country clusters are in South Korea (with 232) and Italy (with 64). And many of those numbers seem to be on the rise, with the Washington Post reporting on February 24 that there were 833 confirmed cases in South Korea and 53 confirmed cases in the U.S.

Market reaction

On Monday and Tuesday, global financial markets are down by 4 percent or more. Here in the U.S., they were down by almost 5 percent from their peaks. This drop is one of the largest in recent months, and it reflects the sudden apparent surge in cases over the weekend. Investors are clearly expecting more bad news—and rather than wait for it, they are selling.

Is selling the right thing to do? Probably not. Indeed, the virus could continue to spread and even get worse. But we do know a couple of things.

What we know

First, new cases in China seem to be leveling off, having peaked between January 23 and February 2. We can expect things to get worse in countries with new outbreaks, but steps can be taken to help control the virus—as has been shown in the origin country.

Second, countries have been applying the lessons learned from China to their own outbreaks, which should help contain their outbreaks. For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports 14 cases diagnosed in the U.S., as well as 39 cases in people repatriated here from China or the Diamond Princess cruise ship. Cases here appear well contained and under surveillance, which should help limit any spread. The same holds true in most of the developed countries.

For all the hype, then, in many countries and certainly in the U.S., the coronavirus remains a very minor risk. Another way to put that risk in context is that during the current influenza season, there have been 15 million cases, 140,000 hospitalizations, and 8,200 deaths. Compared with the average flu season, then, the coronavirus does not even register. With 53 current coronavirus cases, it could certainly get worse. At least in the U.S., however, the overall damage is not likely to come close to what we already accept as “normal.”

Assessing the investment risk

While the risk to your health may be small, that may not be the case for your investments. The epidemic has already caused real economic damage in China, and it is likely to keep doing so for at least the first half of the year. The same case seems likely for South Korea. These two countries are key manufacturing hubs. Any slowdown there could easily migrate to other countries through component shortages, crippling supply chains around the world. Again, there are signs in the electronics and auto industries that the slowdown is already happening, which will be a drag on growth. This risk is largely behind the recent pullback in global markets.

Here, the key will be whether the virus is contained—which would still be a shock to the system but would be normalized fairly quickly—or whether it continues to spread. Right now, based on Chinese data, the first scenario looks more likely. If so, Chinese production should recover in the next six months, with the economic effects passing even more quickly. It might help to think of this situation like a hurricane, where there is significant damage that passes quickly. Stock markets, which typically react quickly on the downside, can bounce back equally quickly. Should the virus be contained, it would be a mistake to react to the current headlines. We have seen this situation before—the drop and bounce back—with other recent geopolitical events.

What if the virus continues to spread?

Even if the virus continues to spread around the world, those in the U.S. should take a deep breath. The U.S. economy and stock markets are among the least exposed to the rest of the world, and they are the best positioned to ride out any storm. Further, the U.S. health care system is among the best in the world, and the CDC is the top health protection agency in the world. As such, we are and should be relatively well protected. Finally, given that the U.S. economy and markets depend primarily on U.S. workers and their spending, we are less vulnerable to an epidemic. We should do relatively well, as has happened in the past.

The proper course

The headlines are scary and Monday’s market declines even more so. But the economic foundation remains reasonably solid around the world. The epidemic is a shock, but it is not likely to derail the recovery. The World Health Organization, while recognizing the risks, has not declared a pandemic, indicating that the risks remain contained. The U.S. is well positioned, both for the virus and for the economic effects.

We certainly need to pay attention. But as of now, watchful waiting continues to be the proper course. Once again, remain calm and carry on.

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at WWW.BLAKELYFINANCIAL.COM to see what other expert advice 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.

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

It is that time of year again. A time of year when you would rather be doing something, anything other than filing your taxes. This is a great time, however, as you are gathering and organizing your tax documents to also set up a financial organization system. Here are some things that may be helpful when organizing not only your tax documents but your financial planning documents.

Have a Proper Filing System

One of the most overwhelming things about filing taxes is dealing with the huge amounts of paperwork. Though emails and online documents are making it easier, you still need to ensure that you have all the important documents organized and easily accessible. Keep your files close to where you do all your work to ensure easy access and avoid the possibility of misplaced files and documents.

Creating Your Files

The simpler you keep your documents, the easier they will be to file and retrieve at any time. Write down each category and label documents accordingly. Color coordinate to make it easier to find the category you are looking for.

Organizational Checklist

Now that you have your filing system in place, you can easily categorize your papers.

1. Income and Investment Information

• • • W-2 – showing your earnings and what was withheld for taxes
    • Taxable alimony, jury duty records, hobby income and expenses
    • Bank or financial institution statements
      • Did you make contributions to an IRA? (Form 5498)
      • Are you paying down student load debt? (Form 1098-E)
      • Did you take out a home mortgage? (Form 1098 Mortgage Interest Statement)
    • Last year’s state refund amount – If you itemize your deductions, then your state refund is considered income for tax purposes.
    • Other miscellaneous income – This could include award money, gambling winnings, lottery payouts, etc.
    • Any and all Form 1099s

2. Insurance
   • This file will include all types of insurance: car, life, health, home and other insurance policies.
3. Paid taxes and tax returns
   • When you properly document all the taxes you have paid, it can prevent overpaying. Include all real estate taxes, state and local income taxes and personal property taxes.
4. Vehicles
   • Keep a copy of state taxes for your vehicles.
   • Claim the actual expenses of your vehicles if allowed. You should keep all gas receipts, maintenance and washing. Tolls and parking receipts are needed as well.
   • You must provide the record for mileage when using your vehicle for business purposes. Record the beginning mileage on January 1^st and store it in the file so you know where to go at the end of the year with your ending mileage.
5. Children
   • Keep your childcare expenses in this file. If you utilize a childcare provider, keep their tax ID number or SS number.
6. Charities
   • Keep receipts for any physical or monetary donations you have made. In the case of itemizing, you need to document what you have given with the date of donation and the name and address of the organization.
7. Health, Dental and Other Medical Expenses
   • Keep all health insurance costs and receipts for all unreimbursed medical expenses. These could include exams, surgeries and preventative care. It could also include braces, glasses, hearing aids, prescriptions and transportation to and from treatment.
   • Form 1095 – Health Insurance Coverage Forms
8. Personal Information
   • Store your social security cards, birth, death, marriage, divorce certificates, prenuptial agreements, etc. for all family members.
9. Social Security Information
   • If you receive Social Security, you will receive an SSA-1099 in January showing the total amount of benefits you received for the year.
10. Self-Employment and Business Records (where applicable)
    • Business Expense Records
    • Quarterly Estimated Tax Payment Receipts
    • Mileage Records
11. Estate Documents
    • Wills, Power of Attorneys, Health Care Power of Attorneys, Living Wills, Trusts
    • Keep all these for all family members in one place for easy access
12. Logins & Passwords
    • Best practice is to write down your passwords and keep them in a safe place
    • Using a password manager to keep track of your logins and passwords can be helpful
    • Avoid using obvious personal information as a password

By following these tips, becoming well organized and keeping everything in one place you won’t dread tax time as much.

Check with your tax professional for guidance on your specific tax situation and for policies and regulations that may pertain to you.

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at WWW.BLAKELYFINANCIAL.COM to see what other expert advice 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.

Presented by Robert Blakely, CFP®, AIF®, ChFC
Authored by James Gard, Morningstar Investment Editor

Public health outbreaks and epidemics like the recent coronavirus can quickly scare investors and, eventually, affect economies and businesses. World stock markets have tumbled since the first death was announced on January 11, with Chinese equities more than 10% lower since then.

The recent coronavirus outbreak has shut down airports, halted trade, and led to the rapid construction of new hospitals in China. The effects of the outbreak may push China’s economy into a period of slower growth, with stocks trading lower as investors seek protection.

So, what does that mean for investors?

Key takeaways 

• Looking at nine major outbreaks since 1998, there is little evidence linking global epidemics with long-term investment fundamentals.
• The Chinese economy may slow, perhaps even meaningfully, but that is not a reason to invest or divest. Long-term investing is often best disconnected from short-term economic reactions, so investors should maintain their focus on what matters.
• Across the portfolios run by Morningstar Investment Management, we do have a relatively small exposure to Chinese assets (both directly and indirectly) but remain confident these holdings will deliver positive outcomes for long-term investors.

Epidemics and investing

To understand the potential impacts of an outbreak, we must make a forecast. But it’s important to acknowledge that we’re trying to peer into the future, which is wrought with intellectual danger. No one can predict the future, but plenty of research suggest ways that forecasts can be improved.

One way to improve the accuracy of a forecast is to start with base rates. How often do outbreaks become epidemics? What effect do epidemics have on economies or markets? For this latter question, we look to Exhibit 1 to provide a sense of base rates—market returns following major epidemics in recent history.

As depicted, market participants tend to react to such unforeseen outbreaks, but markets tend to recover by the six-month mark. This suggests that sentiment drives early losses, but sustained economic impacts are less than perhaps investors feared at the onset.

Another way to improve forecasts is by admitting what you don’t and can’t know. Medical experts might be able to predict mortality rates etc, but no one can predict how unknowable factors might affect the spread of this or any outbreak. That’s not to mention knowing how fear might affect markets.

So how can we make a reasonable assessment of the potential impact of the coronavirus? As long-term, valuation-driven investors, our concern is any potential impact to businesses’ cash flows. For example, will the collective impact of the outbreak (fewer flights, less trade, loss of productivity, etc.) affect a few businesses, a few industries, or entire markets? That’s the question we’re asking.

Our answer is that, at this stage, we have to assume the outbreak will take a similar path to other recent epidemics, and thus we feel there’s no reason for investors to be alarmed. Note that there’s no “safe” approach for investors — for example, exiting stocks in favor of cash has its own risk, namely crystallizing any losses suffered to sentiment while almost surely missing out on a rebound if the virus were to be contained quickly. So, we want to proceed by assuming what we consider to be the most likely scenario, while taking other possible outcomes into account.

Ultimately, we are very watchful but aren’t taking any action. Across our portfolio range, we may hold exposure to Chinese stocks, emerging markets stocks, emerging markets debt, and companies that sell into China to varying degrees depending on the portfolio mandate. Even so, we are still expecting that these holdings will deliver positive outcomes over the long term, and it would require a clear impact to fundamentals for our view to change.

However, once the facts change, we would expect to change our minds. If we were to see a clear and significant potential impact to investment fundamentals, we would carefully study the situation, conduct rigorous scenario analysis, and try to incorporate the new information into our portfolios. Until then, we remain vigilant.

Don’t Panic Yet

With lives at stake, it would be uncaring to call the coronavirus “noise”. Yet, if we focus on the investor’s perspective, we believe it is not time to act. Moreover, we remain confident in our portfolio holdings because they reflect a solid base of research and resemble a well-reasoned way to invest. We certainly won’t be hitting the panic button and we hope you won’t either.

© Copyright 2020 Morningstar. All rights reserved.

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at WWW.BLAKELYFINANCIAL.COM to see what other expert advice 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.

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

Have you made your New Year’s resolutions yet? Chances are, your resolutions revolve around getting more sleep, spending more time with loved ones, eating better and going to the gym every day. But have you resolved to get your finances in check? In a recent survey, 87 percent of Americans said nothing makes them happier or more confident than healthy finances. Can you say that you are content with your financial health and well-being?

Achieving money–related balance and financial wellness isn’t necessarily about investing a set dollar amount or your ability to pay for something expensive without flinching. It’s much broader. It is about getting your entire house in order. It can be as simple as chatting about starting your travel fund, saving $20 a month or whether or not your company offers a 401(k) match. Financial independence affords us the opportunity to live the life that we want. It is about developing a healthy relationship with money and feeling a sense of control over short-term obligations while working toward those long-term goals.

One essential first step towards financial wellness is actively talking about your finances. That is not to say you have to divulge personal details about your savings and debt to your whole group of friends, but choosing a mentor or meeting with a financial advisor to put together an action plan can help.

Planning for financial wellness includes the following steps:

Develop goals and set priorities.

What do you want to accomplish? Where do you want to be? When do you want to be there?

Assess current assets and resources.

Document your financial snapshot currently.  Know where you are starting from.

Identify barriers to reaching your goals.

If you are confused about a particular topic, like the different types of retirement funds offered, ask questions. There are plenty of free resources online to help learn the basics of financial literacy. And that financial advisor you contact will be your best resource to guide you down the path of financial wellness.

Incorporate strategies into your plan.

Commit to small steps to improve your current financial situation. Bring your lunch to work a few days a week; set up an automatic transfer each month to your savings account; forego that expensive cup of coffee each day –small changes each day can make a big difference and build confidence and discipline over time.

Put the plan into action.

Be sure to celebrate the milestones along the way. Those small accomplishments will continue to push you towards success as you gain that financial well-being you so deserve.

Monitor your progress, evaluate where you are and adjust the plan as necessary.

Be flexible and respond to change. When necessary, reset the course which will bring you back to Step 1, and the process continues.  Financial planning is not a one-time event. It is an ever-changing, ongoing journey, providing the framework for achieving short and long-term goals on your quest for financial wellness.

 

Engage with the entire Blakely Financial team at www.blakelyfinancial.com to see what other expert advice 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.

Presented by Emily Promise, AIF®, APMA®, CRPC®

There’s no denying the benefits of a college education: the ability to compete in today’s job market, increased earning power, and expanded horizons. But these advantages come at a price. And yet, year after year, thousands of students graduate from college. So, how do they do it?

Many families finance a college education with help from student loans and other types of financial aid such as grants and work-study, private loans, current income, gifts from grandparents, and other creative cost-cutting measures. But savings are the cornerstone of any successful college financing plan.

College costs keep climbing

It’s important to start a college fund as soon as possible, because next to buying a home, a college education might be the biggest purchase you ever make. According to the College Board, for the 2019-2020 school year, the average cost of one year at a four-year public college for in-state students is $26,590, while the average cost for one year at a four-year private college is $53,980. Many private colleges cost substantially more.

Though no one can predict exactly what college might cost in 5, 10, or 15 years, annual price increases in the range of 3% to 5% would certainly be in keeping with historical trends.

This chart can give you an idea of what future costs might be, based on the most recent cost data and an average annual college inflation rate of 5%. (Source: College Board, Trends in College Pricing 2019)

Year                   4-yr public         4-yr private

2019-2020        $26,590            $53,980

2020-2021        $27,920            $56,679

2020-2022        $29,315            $59,513

2022-2023        $30,781            $62,489

2023-2024        $32,320            $65,613

2024-2025        $33,936            $68,894

2025-2026        $35,633            $72,338

2026-2027        $37,414            $75,955

2027-2028        $39,286            $79,753

2028-2029        $41,250            $83,740

Tip:  Even though college costs are high, don’t worry about saving 100% of the total. Many families save only a portion of the projected costs — a good rule of thumb is 50% — and then use this as a “down payment” on the college tab, similar to the down payment on a home.

Focus on your savings

The more you save now, the better off you’ll likely be later. Start with whatever amount you can afford, and add to it over the years with raises, tax refunds, unexpected windfalls, and the like. If you invest regularly over time, you may be surprised at how much you can accumulate in your child’s college fund.

Monthly Investment  5 years       10 years          15 years

$100                            $6,977         $16,388            $29,082

$300                            $20,931       $49,164            $87,246

$500                           $34,885        $81,940            $145,409

Note:  Table assumes an average after-tax return of 6%. This is a hypothetical example of mathematical principals, is used for illustrative purposes only, and does not reflect the actual performance of any investment. Fees, expenses, and taxes are not considered and would reduce the performance shown if they were included. Actual results will vary. All investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal, and there can be no guarantee that any investing strategy will be successful.

College savings options

You’re ready to start saving, but where should you put your money? It’s smart to consider tax-advantaged strategies whenever possible. Here are some options.

529 plans

529 plans are one of the most popular tax-advantaged college savings options. Contributions accumulate tax deferred and withdrawals are tax free at the federal level if the money is used for qualified education expenses. States may also offer their own tax advantages. (For withdrawals not used for qualified expenses, earnings are subject to income tax and a 10% federal penalty.) 529 plans are open to anyone and lifetime contribution limits are high, typically $350,000 and up (limits vary by state). In 2020, lump sum gifting up to $75,000 is allowed ($150,000 for joint gifts) with no gift tax implications if certain requirements are met.

There are two types of 529 plans: savings plans and prepaid tuition plans. A 529 savings plan is an individual investment account similar to a 401(k) plan where you direct your contributions to one or more of the plan’s investment portfolios. Funds in the account can be used to pay tuition, fees, room and board, books, and supplies at any accredited college in the United States or abroad. Funds can also be used to pay K-12 tuition expenses, up to $10,000 per year. By contrast, the less common 529 prepaid tuition plan allows you to purchase college tuition credits at today’s prices for use in the future at a limited group of colleges that participate in the plan, typically in-state public colleges.

Coverdell ESA

A Coverdell education savings account (ESA) is a tax-advantaged education savings vehicle that lets you contribute up to $2,000 per year for a beneficiary’s K-12 or college expenses. Your contributions grow tax deferred and earnings are tax free at the federal level if the money is used for qualified education expenses. You have complete control over the investments you hold in the account, but there are income restrictions on who can participate, and the $2,000 annual contribution limit isn’t likely to put much of a dent in college expenses.

Custodial account (UTMA/UGMA)

A custodial account allows a minor to hold investment assets in his or her own name with an adult as custodian. All contributions to the account are irrevocable gifts to your child, and assets in the account can be used to pay for college. When your child turns 18 or 21 (depending on state law), he or she will gain control of the account. Earnings and capital gains generated by the account are taxed to your child each year under the “kiddie tax” rules. Under the kiddie tax rules, a child’s unearned income over a certain threshold ($2,200 in 2020) is taxed using the trust and estate tax rates.

Roth IRA

Though technically not a college savings option, some parents use Roth IRAs to save and pay for college. Contributions to a Roth IRA can be withdrawn at any time and are always tax free. For parents age 59½ and older, a withdrawal of earnings is also tax free if the account has been open for at least five years. For parents younger than 59½, a withdrawal of earnings — typically subject to income tax and a 10% premature distribution penalty — is spared the 10% penalty if the withdrawal is used to pay for a child’s college expenses.

A final word on financial aid

Many families rely on some form of financial aid to pay for college, which may include loans, grants, scholarships, and work-study. Financial aid can be based on financial need or on merit. To determine financial need, the federal government and colleges look primarily at your family’s income, but other factors come into play, including your assets and how many children you’ll have in college at the same time.

To get an idea of how much aid your child might be eligible for at a particular college, you can use a net price calculator, which is available on every college website. The bottom line, though, is to beware of too much borrowing. Excessive student loan debt — and parent debt — can negatively affect borrowers for years. The lesson? The more you save now, the less you and your child will need to fund later.

The fees, expenses, and features of 529 plans can vary from state to state. 529 plans involve investment risk, including the possible loss of funds. There is no guarantee that an education-funding goal will be met. In order to be federally tax-free, earnings must be used to pay for qualified education expenses. By investing in a plan outside your state of residence, you may lose any state tax benefits. 529 plans are subject to enrollment, maintenance, and administration/management fees and expenses.

Emily Promise is a financial advisor located at Blakely Financial, Inc., 1022 Hutton Ln., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262. She offers securities and advisory services as a Registered Representative and Investment Adviser Representative of Commonwealth Financial Network®, Member FINRA/SIPC, a Registered Investment Adviser. She can be reached at (336) 885-2530 or at emily@blakelyfinancial.com.

Commonwealth Financial Network is not responsible for their content and does not guarantee their accuracy or completeness, and they should not be relied upon as such. These materials are general in nature and do not address your specific situation. For your specific investment needs, please discuss your individual circumstances with your representative. Commonwealth does not provide tax or legal advice, and nothing in the accompanying pages should be construed as specific tax or legal advice.

This communication is strictly intended for individuals residing in the state(s) of AK, AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, IA, MD, MI, MS, NJ, NY, NC, OK, PA, SC, SD, TX, VA, WV and WI. No offers may be made or accepted from any resident outside the specific states referenced.

Prepared by Broadridge Advisor Solutions Copyright 2019

Presented by Blakely Financial 

Life Insurance as part of a financial plan

When implementing a financial plan, it can be tempting to only focus on the most likely outcomes, such as retirement or saving for children’s education.  Saving towards long-term goals for you and your family are certainly a priority, but not at the expense of protecting your family should something happen to you.

Life insurance can be an important part of protecting the goals you have for your family.  If something were to happen to you, would your family be able to live at the same living standard without your income?  Would they be able to meet the goals you wanted to achieve for them?

Often times life insurance is thought of as only needed to cover debt and burial expenses.  While those are certainly reasons to have life insurance, those are typically smaller sources of need.  The major need is often income replacement should something happen to you during your earning years.  Life insurance coverage needs are typically highest in a family’s early years when children are young, debt is at its highest, and the income of the earner(s) in the family is rising.

Review the plan

While protecting your family’s financial plan is important, reviewing it regularly is of equal importance.  One constant throughout our lives is…change.  When creating a financial plan, we often discuss the importance of reviewing it, and keeping your advisor up to date about changes in your life and changes to your goals.  This also applies to life insurance.

Your coverage needs may change as you continue to pay down debt, save towards your goals, and get closer to retirement.  However, some needs may rise as a family’s standard of living typically increases with time, while many of the previously mentioned needs decrease.

Beneficiaries

If you currently have life insurance, or are reviewing your current plan, the easiest most productive step you can take is reviewing your current beneficiaries on policies, accounts, etc.  They are sometimes overlooked or misunderstood.  Sometimes clients change their wills and assume that those documents will serve as the definitive answer as to who your beneficiaries are.

However, an account with a named beneficiary, supersedes a will and ultimately determines where the asset goes regardless of what the will states.  Life insurance policies, IRA’s, T.O.D. (Transfer on death), and P.O.D. (Payable on death) accounts are some examples of where you will see named beneficiaries.  Also, be sure to check qualified plans like employer retirement plans and life insurance through your employer.

The stories of ex-spouses receiving inheritance instead of the current spouse are the examples most used to motivate clients to check their beneficiaries often.  Other examples include clients getting married and forgetting to change the beneficiary from their siblings or parents to their spouse or forgetting to add children that weren’t born when the policy was taken out.

Summary

Whether you currently have a financial plan or not, life insurance is something you should discuss with your financial advisor to see if it should be included in a plan to help you protect your family.  Reviewing that plan regularly is recommended as life events changes your circumstances, and at the very least checking beneficiaries is an easy step you can take today to be sure your wishes would be implemented.

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

BLAKELY FINANCIAL, INC. located at 1022 Hutton Ln., Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262 and can be reached at (336) 885-2530.

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 does not provide legal or tax advice. You should consult a legal or tax professional regarding your individual situation.

© 2019 Commonwealth Financial Network®

Presented by Emily Promise, AIF®, APMA®, CRPC®

It’s no secret that the cost of higher education has been steadily hiking higher and higher. Calculating the sum of money, it will take to send a child to school in today’s environment could be an eye watering exercise. The cost of sending two, three, or four, crippling.

Of course, we are not left defenseless against the financial wave that many parents can see and feel coming in the distance, we have two weapons in our arsenal for combating the incredibly high cost of sending a child to college, loans, and savings. Used in conjunction, these tools can be the difference between giving your child the start you envisioned, or having no choice but to saddle themselves with payments that stretch into their 40’s.

The cost of sending a child to school has been skyrocketing in the last few decades. A recent article by Forbes magazine cites the fact that increases in college expenses have outpaced increases in earnings per household by a factor of 8. This creates a perfect storm for families when combined with the fact that the pool of work for people without college educations seems to shrink each year. More and more students feel as if they have no choice but to attend school at all costs. You can prepare yourself for this storm by saving appropriately and understanding the tools that you must accomplish your goals; we’ll seek to understand some of these strategies and tools over the next few paragraphs.

When it comes to actually saving for college there is an important conversation that parents should have with their children about setting expectations for college. Some families decide that they want to fully cover the costs of college for their children, and for others they want to keep their child engaged by having them assume a portion of the payment. Whatever you decide, this is a family matter that doesn’t have a definitive right answer. The only mistake you can make here is failing to have the conversation at all, or deciding to have it too late, where your decision has ultimately been made for you.

It is important to involve your child in this process as they may have certain goals or desires that require special planning. Do they want to pursue a degree in medicine or law? Do they want to go to a prestigious school with a name? Or will a state school serve them just fine?

Once parents and students have determined what feel comfortable as far as a share of the cost, the next step is to begin saving and planning for any loans that may be necessary. It’s a good idea to start saving right away. Often when a child is born family and friends offer gifts and donations, this is a perfect time to set aside some money for a child to use later in life. When it comes to deciding how much to save, the old saying the more the merrier may apply. You can’t necessarily overshoot college savings, any money that the child doesn’t spend on college can easily be repurposed for a down payment on a house, or a few months of income while searching for the perfect job.

The point there being that it is never too early to start saving for college, there are even some nice tax breaks available to people who do so. One of the most important concepts to use to your advantage when planning for college is compound interest. Everyone is familiar with the idea, but many fail to leverage it effectively in college savings. One of the only predictable things about college expenses will be incurred, you can’t really say that college savings sneaks up on you, can you?

Given a definite timeframe, you can let the market, and compounding returns take your hard work and multiply it over time. The sooner you set money aside, the more work the market does, and the less you and your spouse have to do. When it comes to college savings, we need all the help we can get, take advantage of investing when saving for college and you’ll have at least one ally in the fight.

This brings up an interesting question. For forward thinking parents who can set something aside, where is the best place to do so? Your local bank? A brokerage account? While individuals should explore all options to find what fits for you, for many people this is where the 529 comes in. Most have at least heard of this savings vehicle, but few understand how it works. It goes something like this, parents, relatives, and even friends can contribute to your child’s 529 account.

The 529 is like an investment account that is specifically geared towards funding college expenses. Once money is inside the account, it grows tax deferred according to whatever investments the account owner has selected. The 529 is a government run program, and because of that, they offer only a few different portfolio options for parents to invest in. Because children are not capable of making these types of complicated investment decisions, a custodian (usually mom or dad) holds and manages the account until the child is old enough to use it. Depending on your state of residence (34 states do allow this) you may even be able to write off up to $15,000, per individual donor, that you contribute to a 529 plan on your taxes.

Once funds are inside the account they must remain there unless used for a qualified educational expense. In past years this meant expenses incurred at an accredited college, however with the most recent tax changes, it became legal for parents to remove funds for private school tuition, even in elementary school. If the funds being taken from the account are used for a qualified expense, they are taken from the account tax free. Any money taken out for a non-qualified purpose will be taxed as income AND be assessed a 10% penalty to whomever receives the funds.

There are many rules and regulations regarding distributions taken from a 529 plan, so be sure you’ve covered your bases before withdrawing any funds or you too may pay this 10% penalty. Be careful not to take more out of your account in any given year than the amount of qualified educational expenses that you occur. Some avoid this entirely by taking money from the account on a re-imbursement basis. If the distribution from your account took place in the same year that you incurred the expense, there will be no adverse tax consequences.

Other rules for 529’s concern contributions to the account. While there technically is no annual limit for contributions, unfortunately for grandma and grandpa, individuals who contribute more than $15,000 will have that money count against their lifetime gift tax exclusion. This limits the amount of money that anyone can write off in one year from contributing to one of these plans. As for aggregate limits, a group of people could contribute any amount that they see fit to a 529 in any given year.

Think of the 529 like your child’s college 401k. A special savings account designed for empowering your child to take their next step. The 529 can be used for computers, room and board, tuition, and many other expenses. You can easily determine if you have encountered a qualified educational expense on the IRS’ website!

Aside from the 529 plan there does exist a more obscure account known as the ESA, or Coverdell Education Savings Account. These accounts custodial education savings vehicles like the 529, but different in a few key ways. Namely, the investment options available to you in an ESA are much broader than those available in a 529 account. Because these accounts are run by private institutions, a range of investment options are available within them.

Like 529 accounts, Coverdell ESA’s also come with income limits, and put a limit on what you can use the money for. Unlike a 529, ESA’s allow parents to take withdrawals from the account for any expense related to schooling at any age. This means expenses related to all grade levels qualify as opposed to the 529 where only college and some tuition for lower levels of education are covered. As mentioned above however, single parents who earn between $110,000 will be locked out of contributing, married couples at $220,000. The other major difference in funding is the low cap. Only $2,000 per child can be added to a Coverdell ESA in any year.

After working through some of the data, most families should be able to find a plan that works for them. While many things can change between your child’s birth and sending them off to their first day on a college campus, it seems a few things never change. Costs are increasing! Parents who start early can combat this, however, use the power of compounding and take some of the stress off your plate by letting the S&P 500 do some of the heavy lifting. You and your spouse will be thankful for it when you see the size of the first semesters bill!

College is an exciting time in a family’s life. For your child this is the beginning of their journey. From here they will shape who they are and create friendships that will last them a lifetime. Don’t let this exciting adventure be marred by disagreements around money! Get a head start and you’ll be looking forward to graduation day rather than dreading it!

 

Emily Promise, AIF®, APMA®, CRPC® is a Financial Advisor with Blakely Financial where she focuses on comprehensive wealth management. emily@blakelyfinancial.com

Blakely Financial, Inc. is an independent financial planning firm located in High Point, North Carolina specializing in Financial Planning, Investment Management, Retirement Planning, Estate Planning, and Charitable Giving Strategies. Blakely Financial is affiliated with Commonwealth Financial Network.

Blakely Financial, Inc. 1022 Hutton Lane, Suite 109, High Point, NC 27262 (336) 885-2530

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

The fees, expenses, and features of 529 plans can vary from state to state. 529 plans involve investment risk, including the possible loss of funds. There is no guarantee that an education-funding goal will be met. In order to be federally tax-free, earnings must be used to pay for qualified education expenses. By investing in a plan outside your state of residence, you may lose any state tax benefits.