Author: Candace Williams

The Cost of Procrastination

Apr 25, 2022

Some of us share a common experience. You’re driving along when a police cruiser pulls up behind you with its lights flashing. You pull over, the officer gets out, and your heart drops.

“Are you aware the registration on your car has expired?”

You’d been meaning to take care of it for some time. For weeks, you had told yourself that you’d go to renew your registration tomorrow, and then, when the morning comes, you repeat it again.

Procrastination is avoiding a task that needs to be done – postponing until tomorrow what could be done, today. Procrastinators can sabotage themselves. They often put obstacles in their own path. They may choose paths that hurt their performance. (more…)

Tags: retirement, Retirement Planning

The FIRE Movement

Apr 22, 2022

Retire before 50 and live your best life. That is the message of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, which is drawing interest worldwide.

Adherents of the FIRE movement contend that many young adults can pursue financial freedom and retire in their 40s (or 30s) through sufficient commitment, investment, and resourcefulness. Detractors think this idea is not only radical, but also radically unrealistic for many.

Is it really possible to retire so young? Actually, yes – there are people who have done it, and their stories often appear on financial websites. These early retirees tend to have some things in common. (more…)

The Major Retirement Planning Mistakes

Apr 18, 2022

Much is out there about the classic financial mistakes that plague start-ups, family businesses, corporations, and charities. Aside from these blunders, some classic financial missteps plague retirees.

Calling them “mistakes” may be a bit harsh, as not all of them represent errors in judgment. Yet whether they result from ignorance or fate, we need to be aware of them as we plan for and enter retirement. (more…)

Tags: financial advisor charlotte nc, Financial Help, retirement, Retirement Planning

Keep Calm, Stay On Plan

Mar 21, 2022

Recent headlines have added volatility to the markets. There will always be new headlines, and any of them could mean turbulence for Wall Street.

As an investor and retirement saver, how much will this turmoil matter to you in the long run? Not as much as you may expect. There are many reasons to remain on plan rather than attempting to intuit or guess when and where big shifts in fortune may arrive. (more…)

Tags: financial advisor charlotte nc, Investments

Trends in Charitable Giving

Feb 9, 2022

According to Giving USA 2020, Americans gave an estimated $410.02 billion to charity in 2019. That’s the first time that the amount has totaled more that $400 billion in the history of the report.

Americans give to charity for two main reasons: to support a cause or organization they care about or to leave a legacy through their support.

When giving to charitable organizations, some people elect to support through cash donations. Others, however, understand that supporting an organization may generate tax benefits. They may opt to follow techniques that can maximize both the gift and the potential tax benefit. Here’s a quick review of a few charitable choices: (more…)

Tags: Tax Advantages, Tax Planning

Measuring the Value of a Financial Advisor

Jan 24, 2022

What is a relationship with a financial advisor worth to an investor? A study by Vanguard, one of the world’s largest money managers, attempts to answer that question.

Vanguard’s whitepaper concludes that when an investor works with an advisor and receives professional investment advice, they may see a net portfolio return about 3% higher over time. (more…)

Tags: charlotte NC, financial advisor charlotte nc

Annual Financial To-Do List

Dec 22, 2021

What financial, business, or life priorities do you need to address for the coming year? Now is a good time to think about the investing, saving, or budgeting methods you could employ toward specific objectives, from building your retirement fund to managing your taxes. You have plenty of choices. Here are a few ideas to consider: (more…)

Tags: Certified Financial Planner Charlotte NC, Financial Planning, Investing, Investment Portfolio, Investments, Personal Finance, Retirement Tax Savings, Tax Planning

A Decision Not Made is Still a Decision

Dec 20, 2021

Investment inaction is played out in many ways, often silently, invisibly, and with potential consequence to an individual’s future financial security, especially when it comes to retirement planning.

Let’s review some of the forms this takes.

 Your workplace retirement plan.

The worst non-decision is the failure to enroll. Not only do non-participants sacrifice one of the best ways to save for their eventual retirement, but they also forfeit the money from any matching contributions their employer may offer. Not participating may be one of the most costly non-decisions one can make. (more…)

Tags: Financial Planner Charlotte NC, Investment Planning

Do Our Biases Affect Our Financial Choices?

Dec 17, 2021

Investors are routinely warned about allowing their emotions to influence their decisions.  They are less routinely cautioned about letting their preconceptions and biases color their financial choices.

In a battle between the facts & our preconceptions, our preconceptions may win. If we acknowledge this tendency, we may be able to avoid some unexamined choices when it comes to personal finance; it may actually “pay” us to recognize our biases as we invest. Here are some common examples of bias creeping into our financial lives. (more…)

Tags: financial advisor, financial advisor charlotte nc

Protection Against Uninsured Drivers

Dec 15, 2021

About 13 percent of all motorists, or one-in-eight drivers, do not have automobile insurance.

Having the misfortune of getting into an accident with an uninsured motorist may have serious financial consequences depending upon the state in which you reside and whether it is a “no-fault” or “tort” state. (more…)

Tags: Financial Planner Charlotte NC, Financial Planning, Uninsured Drivers