Dec 1, 2016

Artilce Written by : SNDA Online Here are 3 simple personal finance advice that is targeted at mid-income earners, who often struggle at making the most from their savings and spending habits. Cut down on things you dislike paying, ns not on the things you like– Most often people will ask you to cut down on things like your daily latte, your manicures or eating out. In most cases, these make people feel worse and cause them to splurge later during the month. Instead look at areas in which you spend a bulk of your annual earnings. For example, take your annual car insurance. Before you pay your premium, shop around and clearly understands what you will be covered for and what the cost comparisons are. Find a side income source – Instead of cutting down, look into earning more with the resources you have. For example, if you have an empty room or an annex, think of renting it out or putting it in Air BnB. Also, consider online work that will enable you to work from home and around your day job. Do not buy a house/real estate as an investment – Houses or real estate are not good investments as they can be very volatile to changes in economic conditions. However, if you want to purchase a home for you to live in, this can be a good investment. In this case, make sure that it is the house you can afford with your current income....

Nov 6, 2016

As a couple, it is important that your priorities are in sync, which will help maintain a happy, healthy relationship. Money is one of the main problems that can cause a divide between couples. Here are a few sound tips to help couples stay on the same financial page. Learn to have fun without a lot of money. – Everything should not involve spending. Learn to enjoy things like a bike ride, walk in the park, a home-cooked meal or free concert. Pay attention to your partner’s financial habits. – Before committing to a relationship, understand how your partner handles money in their life. Discuss your dreams and goals with your partner – Let your partner know your dreams for the future and ask them about theirs. Your goals should be compatible to your partners. Living together – Discuss living together and other issues like leases and household expenses before moving in. Plan carefully before you borrow from your partner – Be clear with your partner about any debts you currently have and ask them about theirs. Each person should be responsible for the debts they have incurred prior to the relationship. Review your investments – Look at each of your investments and identify areas that can be changed to suit your joint goals. Joining your financial lives – Keep a record of bills like utilities and who will be responsible for the payment. Creating a budget for the month is also a good idea, as it will give both of you a goal to save and spend on the things you...

Aug 31, 2016

Carefully plan out your retirement to maximize your financial standing. There have been many opinions when it comes to retirement throughout the years. Many financial advisors have told their clients to sell their home come retirement. Now, this will allow them to significantly boot their retirement income, but then there’s the human aspect that comes with it too. The impact of having to sell something that has been in your family for years on end isn’t an easy thing to do. Rather, there are other ways that you can fund your retirement account without having to sell your beloved property. Look At the Bigger Picture Even if you have noticed that your home has gained a substantial amount of value over the years, remember that every situation is fundamentally different. This being said, you should base your decision off of personal preference. Money has been a primary factor when it comes to a successful retirement. But you need to ask yourself, is it really what you want to do? Don’t just sell your home right off the bat without putting much thought into it. If it holds emotional value, you don’t need to part with it. There have been many successful retirement stories where the retiree keeps his or her house and stays in good financial standing. Sometimes, the cash doesn’t always speak in the bigger picture. The Bottom Line Every homeowner’s situation is different from one another. Don’t hastily make your decision before truly sitting down with your family and discussing it. By rushing things, you’ll only make a decision that you’re going to regret in the end. Kuba Jewgieniew is the head of Realty ONE Group, a real estate brokerage firm that has offices in California, Nevada, and...

Millennials are the age group that are now in the twenties and mid thirties today. Most of these age groups are evolving from graduates to independents to spouses. These are some important milestones and this group should be aware of the standard financial commitments that come with these major milestones. Here are 4 tax mistakes made by millennials. Filing as a dependent when you’re independent (or Vice Versa) – When filing your taxes and choosing your status, be clear on if you receive any financial assistance from your parents. If your parents claim you as a dependant on their tax return, you will be unable to claim an exemption on your income tax return. On the other end, if millennials file as a dependant, instead of an independant, you will not be able to reduce your taxable income. Skipping Out on Health Insurance – Under the new health care law, millennials without health insurance, will have to pay a penalty when filing their returns. Those who can afford insurance and have not, will have to pay an individual shared responsibility payment. Forgetting to Deduct Student Loan Interest – To encourage higher education the US government gives students with loans, a tax break based on the interest that has been paid over the year. The deductions and credits can reach up to $2,500 on qualified student loans. Miscalculating Deductions for the Cost of Relocating – If you have moved jobs due to a promotion or a relocation to a new office, you will qualify to deduct relocation costs. But remember that your new workplace must be at least 50 miles from your old home compared to your old job and old...

Women should feel secure and confident in handling their personal finances. Here are some financial planning advice that is specific to women; Get involved – Make sure you are involved in goal setting, budgeting, saving and investing. If you don’t get involved in the setting of your goals, you will find it much harder to reach them. If you are married or have a partner, include them in the goal setting process. Have a plan – Have a financial plan for your short and long term goals. Understand what your future expenses maybe and then work out how much you would need to save to meet those expenses. Maximize your employer benefits and retirement plans to receive tax benefits. Insurance – To secure your future, ensure you are sufficiently insured. For women whose spouses are the primary earners, it is important that your partner has life and disability insurance, to ensure that you are prepared for the worst. This will keep you and your family comfortable, until you are ready to enter the workforce. Maximize social security – To maximise your social security benefits, refrain for withdrawing your benefits early. Women have a longer life expectancy than men and therefore should ensure that they have a stable income after retirement. Assess your risk – When investing your funds, make decisions based on educated facts and not on short term market fluctuations. You may find that your portfolio may go up or down, but if they are tied to your goals, you will be less likely to make reactive...

Jan 21, 2016

The 50/20/30 guideline is one used by planners when working with new clients to help them understand where they spend their funds. This method can be used by anyone who is looking to work within a budget, to ensure that they have sufficient money for the month as well as savings. Fixed costs – These costs are those that do not vary very much during the month. For example, mortgage payments, utilities, car payments and rent. You could also add monthly memberships, like gym and subscriptions, like Netflix. A planner will suggest that you allocate 50% of your monthly earning for these costs. Financial goals – These goals can include savings for an emergency fund, retirement fund or down payment for a home or land. Planners will suggest that you allocate 20% of your funds for this purpose. This saving will help you maintain a secure future for you and your dependants. Flexible spending – These costs are those that vary during the month. This will include groceries, take out, shopping, entertainment and travel. A planner will recommend 30% of your monthly earnings for this area of spending. Remember that you can be flexible in this area as long as you don’t go over the allocated sum. If your looking at putting a 50/20/30 budget guideline into action, start off with putting down all your expenses, preferably on an excel sheet. You should do this for at least a month prior to assess your pattern of spending and then allocate your funds...