7 Ways To Save For A Comfortable Retirement

A lot of people understand how to save for a car or a new house. It is pretty straightforward to budget for something with a fixed price tag. Where some people miss the mark is saving for retirement. For some people, this is a nebulous concept that they just can’t pin down.

It doesn’t take a lot of math skills to figure out how much money a person or family spends – especially in this time of credit cards and online banking.

Knowing how much goes to fixed expenses such as housing, food, transportation, and medical needs in a year can usually be determined with a few clicks of a mouse.

Once this amount is determined, it needs to be multiplied by the number of years you plan to retire. This is not as difficult as some might think! Start with your planned retirement age and add your number of years of retirement. Take a look at the life and health of your parents as a starting place for this calculation. 

Use your best judgment to come up with a number. If you plan to retire at 65 and your parents are well into their nineties, you can plan for at least 30 years of retirement. To be safe, plan for 40 years.

If you plan a change in lifestyle in retirement, such as extensive traveling or another costly hobby, think about how much you would plan to spend on this. This may be offset by things you no longer plan to do, like commute to work, purchase business attire or any other major expense you had while working. Add this number to your fixed expenses.

Take your spending needs and multiply that by the number of years and you will have a ballpark number of what you need to have saved for your retirement.

You may find that number is now a million dollars or more. Don’t panic. With a properly managed retirement fund, this may still be possible.

Here are some ways to help you save for retirement.

 

7 Ways To Save For A Comfortable Retirement

The most important activity is to budget. Figure out how much you make pre-retirement. Track all spending. Figure out where you are at the end of each month for a few months. If you are just making it through, or owe money at the end of the month, trim unnecessary spending and save to your designated retirement accounts at the start of every month. No excuses! This forces you to save before you spend, instead of saving what’s left over.

Here are seven ways to make this possible

1 Live Below your Means

Living with less will simplify your life and help you save more money. Give up the craziness of always having to have the latest gadget. If something is still functional, wait to upgrade. Don’t just coast on autopilot. 

Think about those things you truly look forward to and eliminate anything you do out of habit. Do you go to the movies or a restaurant every week, just because you always have? Do you actually enjoy what you are eating/seeing? 

It may be time to be more selective about your activities. This may even make them more enjoyable! In addition, spending less on things and nights out will give you more to put away for retirement.

2 Live Debt Free

Debt is one of the curses of our time. I often say that borrowing now is robbing the future. Some people think that debt is harmless, or a necessity of modern life. Stop to consider how much you are paying in interest every year and think of how much more money you would have to invest without debt! Make paying off debt a priority. By getting rid of lingering debts and those high-interest payments, you can put more money aside for retirement.

3 Use Investing Apps

If you are struggling to save, consider using apps to simplify saving

and investing. A pair of micro-investment applications have hit the investment universe in the past couple of years. Acorns and Stash Invest are smartphone-based investment apps that enable you to save and invest very small amounts of money. Google “micro-investment applications” to find the right app for your needs.

4 Have Emergency Funds

An emergency fund is an important step for your retirement saving process. It keeps you on track with your retirements savings in the event you have some unexpected expense, such as an unexpected home repair or other emergencies. This will keep you from needing to use credit and start paying high-interest rates all over again!

6 Start Early, Or Add More

It’s never too early to start saving – especially for retirement. The more you deposit into your retirement fund now, the longer the funds will accrue interest. Interest compounding is the financial magic that will help you reach your savings goal!

If you weren’t able to save in your early working years and are looking at low retirement savings, you can still make up for lost time. If you are 50 or older, you are entitled to a catch-up contribution. For an IRA, this is an extra $1,000 per year. For a 401(k), this is an extra $6,000 per year.

6 Maximize Your Employer Plan

If you are fortunate enough to have an employer that offers a retirement plan, take full advantage of it! If they offer a match, do whatever you need to do to get that match. This is free money and nothing else is as important as that! Increase the percentage you save every few months or every year. Do what you must to maximize your contributions.

7 Save And Invest With A Roth IRA

If you maxed out your employer plan contributions and can still afford to contribute more, use a Roth IRA. There is, however, an income cap. If you make too much you won’t be eligible to contribute. The advantage of a Roth IRA is that you may use the funds to finance other investments such as real estate investments or mortgage notes. This is where you can rapidly accelerate your retirement funds.





There are a lot of ways, with awareness and a little effort, that you can take charge of your retirement fund. adopting a budget, eliminating debt – especially high-interest debt, and limiting spending are great strategies in this process. Free up all the money possible to set aside for retirement.

There are a number of retirement savings vehicles and investment products to help you. Real estate is by far the best option as it is tangible real property and relatively low risk. There are many investment models to suit any risk tolerance and involvement level.

There are options!

Knowledge is power and updated knowledge is the most powerful of all.

It takes discipline, but living within one’s means is key to accumulating wealth. Being financially responsible in the present is a good way to ensure a comfortable future.


These steps are good places to start a more conscious and directed route to achieving your financial freedom. Read, reflect and take what will work for you.

Bottom line is that there is no blanket strategy. Each person must evaluate their own circumstances, needs, and desires. Get the help you need to achieve financial freedom.

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.

-Jim Rohn


Above all, believe in yourself and believe that you will achieve your goal!
_________________________________________
Sources:

Lynda at Sonoran Sun | Private Equity Investments 

Further Reading:

Do You Recognize the 3 Myths of Financial Planning?

Are You Determined To Be Rich?

If Cash is King, Compound Interest is Queen

5 Things Kids Need To Know About Money

A dear friend recently suggested I should teach kids about investing. As flattered as I was by the idea at the time, the thought has stayed with me. 

Do children need to know about money and investing?

What are the most important things for kids to know about money and investing?

Where to begin!

A lot of parents don’t want to “burden” their children with financial information. It is considered to be “robbing them of their childhood” by many families.

My Kids Don't Need To Know About Money. Do They?

But is this sending the right message?

Should children be kept oblivious as to the financial workings of our society?

Certainly, young children should not be overly exposed to these concepts. However, by the time a child starts asking for spending money, or an allowance, it is time to slowly start passing on important knowledge.

What is the best way to start teaching children about money?

5 Things Kids Need To Know About Money

The best place to start is to answer any questions openly and honestly. It is important to do so in a way that is appropriate for their level of understanding at the time. They shouldn’t ever feel overwhelmed by detailed financial information. Broad concepts are best. Your child doesn’t need to know how much you or your spouse earn from working, what the monthly household expenses are, what you pay in taxes or how much you have in your retirement funds. Most certainly, don’t stress them out by telling them that you have started a college fund!

The Allowance

When they begin asking about money, it would be a good idea that they understand that many people trade time for money. That is a good discussion to have once the allowance request is made of a parent.

It is a perfect opportunity to teach them that for most people, money is not received without some effort. Doing chores around the house in exchange for spending money or extra privileges is a great way to demonstrate this concept and is usually enough of an education for most young people.

Saving

If your child has reached the point where they want to strive for greater goals – such as a new bike or other planned purchase, this would be a great time to introduce the concept of saving.

When I was about ten years old, my parents took me to the bank to open a savings account. Not because I had any lofty goals, I am sorry to admit. It was their way of teaching me about money. It was described as a safe place for me to keep my money where my siblings couldn’t pilfer my piggy bank. Not that they ever would!

My parents taught me that if I wanted to make a big purchase that I would need to put some of my allowance into the bank on a regular basis to save up for that purchase. I had a bank book that counted my savings right down to the last penny and I needed to take this book with me to the bank every time I wanted to move money in or out.

This was a great first step to my learning financial planning and the value of money. Back then, there was no thought of buying on credit. My parents probably didn’t even have credit cards. I remember a neighbor showing off their new Chargex card (That should really date me LOL) and how skeptical my parents were about buying merchandise without money. The instant gratification that has become so commonplace in our current society was unimaginable at that time.

Saving was a long and patient process. I discovered that if I spent less on treats and going to the movies and instead put more money into the bank, my projected time to amass this fortune for my great planned purchase was sooner and sooner.

Once your child has started to save and is ready to learn the next step, explain that banks and other institutions use money to lend to borrowers, such as people who want to buy a car or house. I thought it was the greatest deal ever that a bank would give me money - just for storing my money! Of course, those days were very different than today. Interest rates were almost double digits and banking fees were minimal – if they existed at all. 

Will That Be Cash Or…?

No financial education would be complete without addressing the advantages and disadvantages of credit. Most people know that credit can be a severe master when the borrower is left with monthly interest payments on top of the unpaid balance. It is important to understand that used responsibly, credit is a great way to pay for a sudden emergency, monitor spending and (when there is no previous balance) to leverage someone else’s money for a period of 20-30 days, interest-free. 


It is vital for young consumers to understand that responsible use of credit includes paying down any balance fully and quickly to avoid paying the usual high-interest charges. Maintaining a healthy debt to credit ratio is another valuable lesson because it establishes responsible credit habits. Good credit habits offer many advantages later in life, such as advantageous interest rates for a home purchase, or access to other or greater credit lines. 

Investing

By the time I had full-time summer jobs, I learned that I could get even more money by buying government bonds and other investment products. By parking my money for a set agreed time, I could make a great return on my money. Making money just for having money! What a deal that was!

What is it they say about eggs and baskets? 

The biggest lesson I learned from my initial investment was that I shouldn’t put all my money in a single certificate. When my car broke down, I had to cash my bond and I lost all the interest. If I had purchased several bonds in smaller amounts, I could have just cashed enough to pay the repairs and leave the rest undisturbed and continuing to earn interest.

The Most Important Education

Perhaps the greatest epiphany I ever had was seeing a colleague’s son at an investing course I was taking. It was an advanced course on mortgage notes and we all had our heads spinning with fantastic new strategies for creating the best payouts on partial notes.

I marveled at this young man quietly sitting there, next to his father, listening and taking down the information. I realized that even if he didn’t understand everything, that he was probably still 40 years ahead of me in learning about investing in mortgage notes!

It turned out that he understood quite a lot. This reminded me of an old joke that a kid now can program a spaceship launch in less time than it takes me to fix the blinking 12:00 on my PVR. How wonderful that by the time he finishes high school that he would be able to invest his money into a proven model with great returns!

I thought his dad was just so wonderful for giving his son this gift of knowledge.

This, of course, was a very advanced session and surely not the first this young man had attended. I would recommend something more general as an introduction. In addition, I would suggest the exploration of a variety of investing models. Not all models appeal to an individual and it is important to have the right fit.

One book that is actually fairly easy reading narrative I feel every young person should read before graduating high school is the original The Wealthy Barber.

The Wealthy Barber is a financial planning book franchise by Canadian author David Chilton. The first book in the series was in the business fable genre, using the story of fictional characters to convey financial advice.

- Wikipedia

So, what is the most important thing for your child to know about money and investing?

I would say absolutely everything – as soon as it is age and awareness appropriate. 

1 Give Them An Allowance – Explain trading time and effort for money.

2 Have Them Set A Savings Goal – For a planned purchase or special event.

3 Teach Them Responsible Credit Use – How to leverage credit and avoid amassing debt.

4 Introduce Them To Investing – There are many models. Help them find a good fit.

5 Encourage Financial Education – Introduce them to books and seminars.

We all know that today’s schools don’t teach this important area of knowledge. Not only can most kids not balance a checkbook, some probably don’t even know what one looks like! Until educational priorities change, it is up to every parent (or a knowledgeable friend or family member) to teach important financial skills to the next generation. 

Get them interested in reading and attending local seminars to open their minds to new investing possibilities. Engage them in thoughtful discussions about what you are all learning.

Your children and their children’s children will thank you.

If you feel you are not well educated enough to teach your children. Take the time to learn the basics.

There are options!

Knowledge is power and updated knowledge is the most powerful of all.

It takes discipline, but living within one’s means is key to accumulating wealth. Being financially responsible in the present is a good way to ensure a comfortable future.


These steps are good places to start a more conscious and directed route to achieving your financial freedom. Read, reflect and take what will work for you.

Bottom line is that there is no blanket strategy. Each person must evaluate their own circumstances, needs, and desires. Get the help you need to achieve financial freedom.

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.

-Jim Rohn


Above all, believe in yourself and believe that you will achieve your goal!
_________________________________________
Sources:

Lynda at Sonoran Sun | Private Equity Investments 

Further Reading:

Do You Recognize the 3 Myths of Financial Planning?

Are You Determined To Be Rich?

Where to Find Low Risk, High Return Investments

How To Determine Your Risk Tolerance

Many people are stuck in a loop when it comes to investing. They go around and around looking at different models and end up never making a decision to choose something.

The timid investor evaluates one model after another until they end up where they started! This circular pattern ends up draining the investor of any confidence!

“Where should I invest?” Becomes a liability when asked too often. Funds end up sitting in a low-interest account making next to nothing for fear of not making enough! 

Think of Money Like a Parked Car in Your Drive. 

If left too long, the tires go flat. That makes it difficult to go anywhere. Soon enough it starts to rust. Then the interior and rubber rots.

Un-invested funds are the same thing as a parked rusting car.  

Inflation is devaluing your cash reserve. That which you have worked hard to acquire is quickly eroding over time.

Are your concerned about high fees eating into your returns? Are you so risk-intolerant that your cash getting moldy with no return from sitting in the bank?

Do you keep waiting for that perfect deal with an unbelievable rate of return? Just how much is all that waiting and sifting through deals costing you?

It may be helpful to review your needs and wants when it comes to investing. 

This will help you determine your risk tolerance.

Consider this illustration and think about what is important to you.

Number these points in the order of importance that meets your current and future needs.

Return On Investment

What is safe and secure with a respectable/acceptable return on investment? Most people know that the best return comes with the most risk. 

Time

What is your time frame for investing? Are you looking for long term placement, or something more immediate? How far out are you from retirement? Do you anticipate any other need for your funds?

Risk

The least risk usually offers no return.  This is often the savings account at a bank which offers next to nothing for using your money!

The most risky can offer very high returns. Some people made a lot of money in the Stock Market. Others lost everything. Some are out just because they no longer trust it. 

Many people have lost money in bad investments. There is no one model that can be called all good or all bad.

Effort

Some people like a hands-on approach to building wealth.

Many have looked to real estate and become landlords only to discover the 4 T’s—toilets, tenants, trash, and termites. Some try working as rehabbers but either can’t find good deals now that competition is fierce and the margins have gotten so thin.  This has become more than a full-time job and the risk reward is just not there.

A few become hard money lenders where it is possible to make a 10% or more rate of return. It is a great rate of return, however, there is a lot of churn. This means getting a high return for 6 months, then when the loan is paid off, your funds just stagnate with no return until you find your next borrower. It can be a constant effort to find the next borrower who is reliable and a good risk. Without a steady stream of successful transactions, the return rate falls dramatically by the end of a year.

Other people prefer to leave the effort to someone else. They have an individual or firm do the investing for them. This usually comes with hefty fees.

Maybe it’s time to reset your thinking. 

Many investors do not feel comfortable with the current real estate market. They are concerned about a market turn similar to 2007.

After all, how many times have people seen the stock market drop only to invest again. And in what, exactly?

Those who invest in precious metals watch the value go up and down regularly. Or they have money parked in a bank earning 0.2% - which is less than inflation!

There are real estate investment models that reap rich rewards with a minimal effort and little risk.

There are options!

Knowledge is power and updated knowledge is the most powerful of all.

It takes discipline, but living within one’s means is key to accumulating wealth. Being financially responsible in the present is a good way to ensure a comfortable future.


These steps are good places to start a more conscious and directed route to achieving your financial freedom. Read, reflect and take what will work for you.

Bottom line is that there is no blanket strategy. Each person must evaluate their own circumstances, needs, and desires. Get the help you need to achieve financial freedom.

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.

-Jim Rohn


Above all, believe in yourself and believe that you will achieve your goal!
_________________________________________
Sources:

Lynda at Sonoran Sun | Private Equity Investments 

Further Reading:

Do You Recognize the 3 Myths of Financial Planning?

What Is The Advantage Of Peer To Peer Lending?

Where to Find Low Risk, High Return Investments

What Is The Advantage Of Peer To Peer Lending?

Peer-to-peer lending can be a rewarding addition to any portfolio. The primary advantage to an individual accredited investor is that they can earn much higher returns compared to other models, such as investment products offered by banks or the Stock Market. 

Also known as P2P, there are several advantages for the private lender. Foremost is that the private lender can pick and choose the projects they want to fund. If an individual or proposed transaction doesn't satisfy their criteria, they do not have to go through with the loan.

It is up to the lender to define the terms that are attractive and advantageous to them. This can include the loan amount, number of loans and duration.

The greatest advantage is that the lender determines their own interest rate. Since these lenders work outside of conventional institutions, such as banks, they are free to set rates as they choose. It is not uncommon for the lender to receive interest anywhere between 5% and 15% on a loan.

Still, many investors dismiss these lending opportunities as risky because they are only familiar with unsecured personal loans. However, there are many opportunities to offer a loan secured by collateral.

When some novice investors considering P2P hear the word collateral, they may think of loans secured by luxury assets such as jewelry, watches, vintage cars, fine art, buildings, aircraft or business assets. These may offer a certain guarantee that a loan will be repaid – especially if the lender has possession of the items. However, there is no guarantee that the borrower will want the items back. This seems more like being a pawn shop owner than an accredited lender!

Perhaps the most advantageous form of peer-to-peer lending are for real estate loans. These investments are safe and secure because they are backed by real estate. Property is immovable and covered by insurance - unlike stocks. 

There are several types of loan models when considering real estate. Perhaps the most familiar are the Hard Money Loan and the Private Money Loan. 

For a hard money loan, a lender will give a certain percentage (usually 60%-70%) of the marketable value of the property as a loan to a borrower. This asset based loan requires a knowledge of real estate values and the willingness to assume title or place a lien on a property as security. 

A private money loan is similar to a hard money loan. One of the advantages of being a Private Money Lender in real estate lending is that these loans are more relationship-based than hard money loans. 

Because the transaction is based on a trusted relationship, the investor can choose their level of involvement with a loan. A private money loan is generally secured by a note and deed of trust, for the purpose of funding a real estate transaction. In many cases, this trusted relationship can free the lender from the day to day monitoring of the loan or developments with the property.

When a stronger partnership develops, the lender may take a percentage of the real estate transaction in exchange for offering a lower rate. With proven real estate investors, a lender may prefer to assume a percentage of the deal instead of asking for any interest. This is often referred to as a Joint Venture, or JV Partnership.

Unlike paper assets, such as stocks, private loans for real estate give great, predictable returns in the form of interest. Compared to stock markets, peer-to-peer lending for real estate tends to much safer and more secure than other forms of investments because they are backed by solid real estate. 

Knowledge is power and updated knowledge is the most powerful of all.


It takes discipline, but living within one’s means is key to accumulating wealth. Being financially responsible in the present is a good way to ensure a comfortable future.


These steps are good places to start a more conscious and directed route to achieving your financial freedom. Read, reflect and take what will work for you.

Bottom line is that there is no blanket strategy. Each person must evaluate their own circumstances, needs, and desires. Get the help you need to achieve financial freedom.

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.

-Jim Rohn

Above all, believe in yourself and believe that you will achieve your goal!
_________________________________________
Sources:

Lynda at Sonoran Sun | Private Equity Investments 

Where to Find Low Risk, High Return Investments

The volatility of the stock market has left some people wondering about where and how to invest their funds.

Many people would like to invest, but are dissatisfied with the offered return. Others are concerned about the safety of their investments.

It can be a balancing act that requires knowledge, skill, and finesse. High rates of return usually come with a large risk. Safer investments tend to offer little - or no return, once fees have been deducted.

While it is true that no investment is without risk, there are ways to invest and get a good return.

Where to Find Low Risk, High Return Investments

There are several investment options that are low risk. In turn, they offer low returns. As the risk rises, typically so does the return.

Here is a list of investment models from relatively low to higher risk.

1. Certificates of Deposit (CDs)

Certificates of Deposit (CDs) are savings certificates with a fixed maturity date, specified fixed interest rate and can be issued in any denomination aside from minimum investment requirements. They are available through your bank, your credit union or even your investment broker.

CDs are generally issued by commercial banks and are insured by the FDIC up to $250,000 per individual. The investor is guaranteed to get the principal back as long as the total deposits with that lender are less than $250,000. The government guarantees that you cannot have a loss, and the financial institution gives you interest.

In return, the investor gets a set interest rate for that period regardless as to whether rates go up or down during the specified period. The funds are locked in until maturity of the specified term length. It is possible to withdraw the CD early for a penalty that is usually equal to three months’ worth of interest.

Interest earned is dependent on the length of the CD term and interest rates in the economy. Current rates are about 2%

2. Treasury Inflation Protected Securities (TIPS)

The U.S. Treasury offers several types of bond investments. The one with the lowest risk is called a Treasury Inflation Protection Security or TIPS.

Treasury inflation protected securities (TIPS) are a treasury security that is indexed for inflation in order to protect investors from the negative effects of inflation. TIPS are considered an extremely low-risk investment because they are backed by the U.S. government and because the par value rises with inflation, as measured by the Consumer Price Index, while the interest rate remains fixed. This can be advantageous because the principle is indexed.

As an example, an investor invests in a TIPS today that only comes with a 0.35% interest rate. Compared to a CD or even basic online savings account, this doesn’t seem very enticing. However, if inflation grows a 2% per year for the length of the bond, then the investment value increases with that inflation, and gives a much higher return on investment.

Other advantages are that the Interest on TIPS is paid semiannually.

TIPS can be purchased directly from the government through the TreasuryDirect system, in $100 increments with a minimum investment of $100, and are available with 5-, 10-, and 30-year maturities.

3. Gold

Of all the precious metals, gold is the most popular as an investment. Investors generally buy gold as a way of diversifying risk.

While gold is subject to speculation and volatility as are other markets, gold preserves wealth in an economic environment where investors are faced with a declining U.S. dollar and rising inflation. Historically, gold has served as a hedge against both of these scenarios. Much like the TIPS, with rising inflation, gold typically appreciates.

4. Money Market Funds

A money market fund is an open-ended mutual fund that invests in short-term debt securities such as T-bills; certificates of deposit (CDs); and corporate commercial paper. The fund usually pays out a little bit of interest with the main goal of maintaining a net asset value (NAV) of $1 per share. A downside of money market funds is they are not covered by federal deposit insurance.

5. Municipal Bonds

Municipal bonds (munis for short) are debt securities issued by states, cities, counties and other governmental entities to fund day-to-day obligations and to finance capital projects such as building schools, highways or sewer systems. These bonds are exempt from federal income tax and most states and local municipalities also exempt income tax on munis for issuers in the state. Discuss this with your accountant before making any decisions.

These municipal bonds are fairly safe because the likelihood of the borrower defaulting is very low. Governments can always raise taxes or issue new debt to pay off old debt, which makes holding a municipal bond a pretty safe investment.

The average yield is tied to the tax bracket exemption. For someone in the 28% federal tax bracket, that is equivalent to a 2.5% taxable bond.

6. U.S. Savings Bonds

U.S. savings bonds are debt securities issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to help pay for the U.S. government's borrowing needs. U.S. savings bonds are considered one of the safest investments because they are backed by the U.S. government.

U.S. Savings Bonds come in eight specific values: $50, $75, $100, $200, $500, $1,000, $5,000, and $10,000. While these bonds do not earn much interest, they do offer a less volatile source of income. They offer a way to save for the future, as they cannot be cashed until at least six months after purchase. The time it takes for a bond to mature varies, but it is often somewhere between 15 to 30 years.

These bonds cannot be easily transferred and are non-negotiable. In order to purchase or redeem a U.S. savings bond, you must be an American citizen.

7. Annuities

An annuity is a contractual financial product sold by financial institutions that is designed to accept and grow funds from an individual and then, upon annuitization, pay out a stream of payments to the individual at a later point in time. They are most commonly used to generate retirement income.

The insurance company takes a lump sum of funds from you and in return they give you a stated rate of guaranteed return. Sometimes that return is fixed (with a fixed annuity), sometimes that return is variable (with a variable annuity) and sometimes your return is dictated in part by the stock market performance with a guaranteed basic level that gives you downside protection (with an equity indexed annuity).

8. Cash Value Life Insurance

Cash-value life insurance is a type of life insurance policy that pays out upon the policyholder's death, and also accumulates value during the policyholder's lifetime. The policyholder can use the cash value as a tax-sheltered investment, as a fund from which to borrow and as a means to pay policy premiums later in life. It is also a clever way to pass some value onto heirs without either side getting hit with income tax.

9. Dividend Mutual Funds

Dividend mutual funds are stock mutual funds that primarily invest in companies that pay dividends, which are profits that companies share with stock shareholders. Dividends can be received as a source of income or they can be used to buy more shares of the mutual fund.

Return rates are often less predictable.

10. Preferred Stock

A preferred stock is a class of ownership in a corporation that has a higher claim on its assets and earnings than common stock.

Preferred and common stocks are different in two key aspects. First, preferred stockholders have a greater claim to a company's assets and earnings. Second, the dividends of preferred stocks are different from and generally greater than those of common stock. Preferred shares generally have a dividend that must be paid out before dividends to common shareholders, and the shares usually do not carry voting rights.

This is a type of stock has both an equity (stock) portion and a debt portion (bond). Preferred stock is not traded nearly as heavily as common stock, but do have less risk than the common stock. In the credit hierarchy, governing which investors get paid first during a bankruptcy, preferred stock sits between bond payments, which come first, and common stock dividends, which come last.

Return rates are often less predictable.

11. Peer to Peer Lending

Peer to Peer Lending (P2P) is a completely different type of investment. P2P is a method of debt financing that enables individuals to borrow and lend money to other individuals, entrepreneurs or businesses.

P2P lending removes the traditional financial institution from the process. It is often direct lending without an intermediary. This can involve more time, effort and risk to the investor. 

The method is not without its disadvantages as the lender has very little assurance that the borrower, who traditional financial intermediaries may have rejected due to a high likelihood of defaults, will repay their loan. 

Often the borrower has little collateral to offer apart from some equipment necessary to start a business, as in a restaurant's kitchen.

In some circles, such as Real Estate Investing it can also be referred to as Private Money. In this type of investing, the investor lends money for the purchase and/or improvement of real estate or land. The loan is secured by real property, usually in the name of the investor, until the loan and interest are fully paid. 

Typically, the investor funding a real estate project with private money can earn between 5% to 15% return on a safe and secure investment.



With the rising inflation, it is imperative that every opportunity is used to generate the highest yielding return on investment. These investment models outline the risks and benefits of the different investing options.

What is important is to begin investing at the level where the risks and returns are acceptable to the individual as soon as possible. It is the best path to financial freedom!

Knowledge is power and updated knowledge is the most powerful of all.


It takes discipline, but living within one’s means is key to accumulating wealth. Being financially responsible in the present is a good way to ensure a comfortable future.


These steps are good places to start a more conscious and directed route to achieving your financial freedom. Read, reflect and take what will work for you.

Bottom line is that there is no blanket strategy. Each person must evaluate their own circumstances, needs, and desires. Get the help you need to achieve financial freedom.

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.

-Jim Rohn

Above all, believe in yourself and believe that you will achieve your goal!
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Sources:

Lynda at Sonoran Sun | Private Equity Investments 

Investopedia

Is Your GPS Set For Wealth?

Most people would not consider going on a trip without a map – or GPS. It is a great way to stay on target and measure progress. 

Is Your GPS Set For Wealth?

Yet many people do not have a map for their own financial future.

This is surprising because everyone will eventually age and hope to retire. We all have heard that Social Security will not be able to help us all in the way it was intended. Planning one’s future finances has never been more important.

There are three key parts to any plan. Learn how they can send you down the right road to wealth:

Good Habits

Are Your Bad Habits Keeping You Down?

Most people know in order to build wealth, negative habits need to be replaced with positive ones. But this alone isn’t enough. From grade school math, we know an equal amount of positive and negative will always equal zero. 

To build wealth, the majority of your habits must be positive. You can’t start building wealth or keep it, without letting go of most negative thoughts, environments, habits, and behaviors. Learn to avoid using credit – especially if you carry a balance. 

Be satisfied with what you already have and avoid the temptation of the latest shiny gadget. Modify your lifestyle to avoid any unnecessary costs. Prepare your own meals and don’t purchase extras as a habit. Think of how much you could save if you take yourself off auto-pilot when it comes to your local coffee shop. If you are getting a coffee every day on your way to work, you are probably spending well over a thousand dollars a year. Are you really enjoying it that much, or is it just a comfortable habit?

New positive habits, environments, thoughts, and behaviors will go a long way to help you on your road to wealth. Aim for your higher and better self.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

Look around you at those who have money. 

Look beyond the conspicuous consumption pushed on the media. A very small percent of the wealthy live extravagant lives. Most live in upscale – but not opulent – neighborhoods and have learned that more is not always better. Change your perspective on wealth and how millionaires live. 

What are the habits you need to emulate for success?

People

Your friends and family are a huge influence on you. Your environment and sphere of influence will most often match the person who you are or want to be.

You are the average of the five people we spend the most time with. 

– Jim Rohn

It is simple to say you should avoid negative people, but eliminating them without a plan for improvement just leaves you in a vacuum. Look for ways to expand your circle with “like-minded” individuals who will be a positive influence on you. 

What does that mean?

Seek out individuals – and organizations where people who are also trying to better themselves meet. If there are investor meetings, evening courses on financial planning, or clubs in your neighborhood, that is a great way to meet new people. These people will not only have similar thoughts and objective to you, they could have a positive impact on your future.

If you enact positive change in the type of people you associate with, this circle will cheer you on and even help you. 

Strategy

What’s Your Plan To Achieve Wealth?

Most people dream of winning the lottery, but this wishful thinking rarely materializes. Powerball is an unlikely solution!

Yet many people have an unreal expectation about their future. Thinking that you will earn more money later in your career and save it then is not reasonable. One can never know what the future holds and the best way to prepare for it is to start saving money NOW.

It can be a little overwhelming for some to think about how much money they might need in 25 or 50 years.

It can be a good idea to start with a 1, 3, 5, and 10-year financial plan. 

Start by thinking what you want later in life. Do you want a family? What does that entail?

You may wish to ensure your family is well provided for and that your children have a good start in life.

Create a document to break this down. How much is your household expense annually? Include things like housing payments, insurance, utilities grocery and medical expenses. 

Do you have or plan to have children? Do you plan to give them financial help for college? How about their children? 
Figure out how you plan to address that and write down the numbers.

When do you want to retire? Where?

Use the values you know and have now and don’t get stuck trying to figure out what these amounts will be in the future. Inflation can’t be fully predicted, so just get it done! Ballpark.

Each goal should be 

• Specific
• Measurable
• Attainable
• Realistic
• Time defined

There will always be modifications to this plan, but it is a lot easier to modify an existing plan than to forge ahead without one at all!

Use this information to set up or augment your savings plan.

If you don’t have a savings plan, you will never attain wealth without one. Start NOW. Don’t be fooled into thinking you will just contribute more later. Even with today’s low interest rates, compound interest, started early will contribute a sizable amount to your financial goal.

Protect what you have

Most people have home and auto insurance, but it can be surprising how many income earners don’t have life insurance. Some people think this is just inviting misfortune. Having home insurance is not inviting a disaster at your house. Having life insurance is no different!

In addition, secure insurance for all assets as your portfolio grows.

Give your family peace of mind. Dealing with emotional loss following an untimely death is difficult enough. You would not want your family to struggle financially on top of everything else they must deal with.

Knowledge is power and updated knowledge is the most powerful of all.

It takes discipline, but living within one’s means is key to accumulating wealth. Being financially responsible in the present is a good way to ensure a comfortable future.

These steps are good places to start a more conscious and directed route to achieving your financial freedom. Read, reflect and take what will work for you.

Bottom line is that there is no blanket strategy. Each person must evaluate their own circumstances, needs, and desires. Get the help you need to achieve financial freedom.

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much.


-Jim Rohn


Above all, believe in yourself and believe that you will achieve your goal!

_________________________________________
Sources:

Lynda at Sonoran Sun | Private Equity Investments