Why is it that most people plan thoughtfully for life goals but seem to push to the side their financial planning goals? This is a question that has confused me for years. It’s like people are programmed to fall short on financial matters. Then I realized that most people actually are programmed to fall short on financial matters. For instance, think back to your time in school. Do you remember learning about budgeting your finances and investments or how to start and operate a business? I would venture to say most likely not. We were taught how to dissect a frog and label its intestines not to mention a score of other things unrelated to money. With that said, we need to learn how to develop the right money habits to achieve financial freedom. I’d like to cover a few of those with you now.

First of all, have a budget. This is a simple solution to a lot of financial problems out there. However, most people live without one and that includes the affluent. I would recommend you do a review of your most recent bank statement or use some type of computer program either online or one you can purchase to help categorize your spending more efficiently. Once completed, most people are literally mystified by how they spent their money. This would be a great start to prioritize your expenses and start saving.

Next, distinguish your needs from desires. This usually is a hard sell because we are all emotionally driven when it comes to our purchase decisions. Ask yourself this question next time, “Do I need this item or do I just want it?” If you get in the habit of asking good questions you’ll save a lot over the course of the year and be much better off for it.

Also, you must learn the difference between good debt and bad debt. Some experts say that no debt is the only way. However, not everyone can do that. That’s why it’s important to make good decisions with debt. The basic rule is this; a bad debt is an item or good that will depreciate in value such as a vacation you can’t afford, a more expensive car, or basic extracurricular activities you use your credit card for. A good debt is something like a mortgage, business loan, or student loan. If used for the right reasons, these kinds of debts could be referred to as “investment debts” because they are meant to add long term value down the road.

And lastly for this article, start to set financial goals and take them seriously. When people educate themselves about money, they start to see how the financial world works and begin to see their own potential in it. Ideally, they’ll align themselves with a financial advisor who can help guide them along the way and provide them a shared commitment to wealth building. If you haven’t made such a commitment, then today is as good as any to make that happen.

Inheritance, by definition, is the devolution of property on an heir or heirs upon the death of the owner. Wow! Can you imagine a more impersonal definition of inheritance? I know the topic is controversial and not everyone views an inheritance the same way, but it is a very important subject to reflect on. Granted, not all inheritances are equal. However, those that do receive them should be careful on how they proceed with them.

Before I dig into this topic it is very important to know that you should consult a tax professional and possibly an attorney with any inheritance you receive before you begin to determine what you might do with it. My article is more prevalent to what you do after your inheritance has cleared taxes, probate and any legal hurdles before getting into your hands.

Most inheritances come in the form of some type of monetary value. With that said, you should know that the most common theme when we talk about estate planning is not leaving an inheritance but leaving a legacy. I can’t tell you how many times that we have spoken with clients about their estate planning needs and we hear about how concerned they are about getting things right for their heirs. There is a lot of sentimental value in play, and they truly want their heirs to get more than just monetary property. The overwhelming majority want to leave a legacy of how they want to be remembered. They also don’t want to hurt anyone with or without money. Don’t misunderstand that last sentence. They are truly concerned about leaving money behind to someone they think might not be capable of handling it for fear that it might do more harm than good. Sometimes, it makes more sense to spread that gift over years instead of a mere lump sum to protect heirs from themselves and or their family. No matter how or what you receive, you need to follow a few steps.

First, slow down once you receive the inheritance. It’s very important to allow yourself the time to reflect upon the gift before you decide what you will do with it. You could have a multitude of options with your inheritance unless the gift comes with specific instructions for use. Time will help you decipher what makes the most sense for you and your family before actually moving forward with your plans.

Second, understand that the inheritance is yours! So many times I see heirs hanging on to items whether it be real estate, stocks and bonds, cars, and a host of other things because they still see them as their benefactors items. The reality is they left it to you for your discretion. As long as you took the proper amount of time to reflect on what to do and how to do it, then you should be at peace making informed decisions about the steps you take with those items.

And lastly, make preparations to put yourself in a position where you might be able to do the same thing for your heirs one day. Remember, for the vast majority, it’s not about leaving an inheritance but more importantly leaving a lasting legacy. With proper planning, you could do the same.

It’s safe to say when it comes to money that we all have different emotions with handling it.  If that weren’t true, we would all have stress free relationships when it comes to the topic.  So, why is there no simple formula that works for everyone?  The answer is that we all have different financial blueprints.
I once was told that a budget tells you what you can’t afford but it doesn’t keep you from buying it.  Some people might laugh at that statement and others might cry because it holds true for them.  The reason being is that we all have a different blueprint when it involves money.  A lot of people derive their financial DNA, both good and bad, from their childhood.  I’ve seen instances where parents did everything they could to teach their kids about money and saving.  They penny pinched and made sure they were resourceful with their funds and did what was needed to provide for the family needs as well as saving for their future.  Some kids grew into adults and thrived and others went broke.  Why is that? Well, one child sees the value of saving and planning and the other sees that scenario as a financial jail and wants to let the money out.  It seems strange but it is very real.  It’s like the person who was handed down clothes their entire life growing up and when they start earning their own money has a new piece of clothing every week.  This happens because in both instances the kids had different emotions to money.

The same dynamic holds true in regards to investments.  Some people are naturally conservative while others are not.  Yet time after time, I see people make the fundamental mistake of investing outside of their natural comfort zone with money whether it is too conservative or too aggressive.  They usually do this because that’s what they were told to do, they didn’t understand their financial blueprint, or they didn’t truly understand their investments.  That’s why there is no one size fits all category with money.  We all are shaped differently in regards to money and have different needs and wants.  However different we are, there is a solution to every problem if you unlock your blueprint and find the right combination whether it’s with budgeting, saving, investing, or any other thing with money.  So, what should you do?

 First, embrace the fact that we’re all different.  You’ll save yourself a lot of time trying to make sense of it all.  Second, start uncovering your blueprint.  Go back through some of your most recent purchases or financial decisions and determine why you made them the way you did.  This is not meant for you to second guess yourself.  You want to uncover what makes you tick and embrace the parts that work and acknowledge the parts that don’t.  And lastly, take a second look at your financial plan and see if it truly fits you.  Just like every house has its own unique blueprint to the lay of the land, you also have your own unique financial blueprint to yourself.  Improve the parts that need improving and embrace the parts that are just right and you will start living within a happy home of your financial self.

Information is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as legal, tax, accounting, or investment advice. You should consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. Any opinions and forecasts expressed are those of the author, and may not actually come to pass. This information is subject to change at any time, based on market and other conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. 

Kevin MacWilliams is a Financial Advisor at Clearview Financial Group.   Securities are offered through Securities America, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.   Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc.  Kevin MacWilliams, Representative, Clearview Financial Group and the Securities America Companies are unaffiliated.  Kevin MacWilliams is licensed to conduct securities business in the states of AL, GA, IN, NC, OH, TN, and TX.  Kevin MacWilliams is also licensed to conduct insurance business in OH and TN and advisory business in OH and TN.  For more information, please call Kevin at 826-2279 Ext 4, or e-mail  and or visit Clearview Financial Group.

As individuals and families nudge ever so closer to the end of their career and the beginning of retirement, their minds can’t stop from wandering about the what if’s that lie ahead.  The most popular question I’m asked when working with these fine people is “Do I have enough money to provide an income for the rest of my life?”  This simple question is by far the most analyzed and thought provoking question they ponder before retirement comes whether by choice or not.  That’s why it’s so important to know or at least plan for the new beginning that retirement holds.  It’s a mindset change from accumulating wealth over a span of years to distributing that wealth over a lifetime.

 Perhaps today more than ever before, retirees face a different reality in retirement.  We are looking at a generation of people that are stepping into retirement with more uncertainty about what the future holds.  They’re not convinced about the security of social security, the healthcare benefits they’ll have with Medicare, or the inflationary costs of healthcare and taxes in the years ahead.  The same holds true of their income.  Soon to be retirees face the uncertainty of what their nest egg is really supposed to do for them.  They have always been focused on growing their assets but not truly understanding how that will translate to income for future years.  Retirees see commercials of what retirement looks like from all different types of sources and they all simply give a preconceived notion of what happiness in retirement looks like.  What it doesn’t show is the pitfalls that potentially lie ahead that I mentioned earlier.  So, the question remains “Will you have enough money to last your lifetime?”

 This is a serious question that should not leave room for doubt.  If you are nearing this phase of your life whether that is 10 years or less from now, you owe it to yourself to do some real self examining of what has to happen to prepare for the expected as well as the unexpected in the next phase of your life.  There are solutions to this problem if you plan accordingly and take the necessary steps to put your retirement plan in focus of your overall long term income needs.  It might not be easy and there could be hurdles to overcome but the sooner you address it the more prepared you might be. 

 In closing, talk with an advisor that can outline a plan that fits your overall objective and risk profile.  The financial realties of our world are changing and we should be changing with it.  My company provides options such as the NextPhase Retirement Income Solutions which is specifically designed to face head on the retirement income needs questions we will all face at some point in time.  Please feel free to reach out to our office or speak with your advisor about working toward your goal of having a retirement income to last your lifetime. 

Information is provided for informational use only and should not be construed as legal, tax, accounting, or investment advice. You should consult a qualified professional for advice specific to your situation. Any opinions and forecasts expressed are those of the author, and may not actually come to pass. This information is subject to change at any time, based on market and other conditions. Past performance does not guarantee future results. 

Kevin MacWilliams is a Financial Advisor at Clearview Financial Group.   Securities are offered through Securities America, Inc., Member FINRA/SIPC.   Advisory services offered through Securities America Advisors, Inc.  Kevin MacWilliams, Representative, Clearview Financial Group and the Securities America Companies are unaffiliated.  Kevin MacWilliams is licensed to conduct securities business in the states of AL, GA, IN, NC, OH, TN, and TX.  Kevin MacWilliams is also licensed to conduct insurance business in OH and TN and advisory business in OH and TN.  For more information, please call Kevin at 826-2279 Ext 4, or e-mail  and or visit Clearview Financial Group.

This question is the most asked question I get from family members, friends, and clients.  Everyone wants to know what to expect and how they should plan accordingly.  Although I don’t know what to expect exactly, I do have some strong opinions about what might happen and how we should be planning ahead.

Clearly, the most important trigger dictating the direction of the economy   going forward is jobs.  In order for our economy to push forward we must create jobs and those jobs must come from the private sector.  It is unforeseeable to sustain a growing economy if a large percentage of our job creation comes from the public sector.  We have to sustain growth in the private sector and both the private sector and the federal government must work together to find ways to do so.  So with that said, if we continue to see an increase in jobs with the majority of those coming from the private sector then we will be on our way to an improving economy.

Another important trigger affecting our economy going forward is the current tax code.  In case you are unaware, the current tax code is set to expire this year which means we will all be looking at an increase in our tax bracket percentage.  Now of course our leaders tell us that they will be revisiting this situation after the November elections which gives them little time to put in place a new schedule.  The concern lies solely on the potential outcome of raising taxes in a sluggish economy because it could adversely affect consumer confidence which is a supporting factor of economic growth. If we as consumers aren’t confident then we’re certainly are not going to spend which in turn eliminates the need for jobs which brings us back to where we started.

I also have one last opinion for this article.  If we are to spur growth for the  long term then we are going to have to figure out a way to become an exporting nation again.  As important as it is to create products and services that are needed right here in America by Americans, we must find a way to reach the billions of consumers that are outside our borders that are in need of our products.  As we all know, that is not an easy fix due to the earnings disparity in other countries compared to ours here.  However, it is something that needs to be addressed and once again the private sector and the government must work together to find ways to level the playing field through fair trade and other means of change.

As you are probably aware, the problem of economic growth is not limited to just these opinions.  We have a lot of obstacles facing us today and in the future.  However, we can and will overcome them with time.  However, if you are concerned on how the overall economy is or might affect your personal economy going forward then I suggest you talk with a financial advisor. It is always important to be mindful of your financial plan going forward regardless of what is happening in the overall economy.

As we all know, the markets and the economy have been one heck of a roller-coaster ride in the last 18 months. We’ve experienced a flood of emotion and concern about where we are as an economy and what is ahead for us in the future. This a major question and one our clients have been asking us for quite a while. However, this isn’t the only concern we’ve heard. I’d like to share with you some other concerns and answers we got from our clients in a recent survey.

In our survey, we asked the question, “What is the most important challenge facing you in the coming years?”
The most popular answer with a 72 percent response was “sustaining my current lifestyle.”

The next question we asked was, “What is your greatest concern in retirement?” and out of all of the responses to choose from, “outliving our money” was by far the overwhelming choice.

These two questions sum up what the majority of people are concerned about, and that is inflation and its effect on their investments and lifestyle in retirement. The question is, “What are you doing to prepare for whichever market comes our way, and what inflation rate we might see in years to come?”

The answer to all of these questions is uniquely different for most everyone, but it shares one commonality and that is to take action and take it now! That action might encompass reallocating your funds, saving more, spending less, and choosing products and investments that can help solve the problem. While there is no easy answer, a good financial adviser can help guide you through these tough decisions and provide a level of accountability that most everyone needs.

See financial adviser to prevent problems

 So, you might ask yourself, “What do I need to do right now?” For starters, do not wait for the problem to sneak up on you. You should talk with your adviser to see if you’re prepared for inflation going forward. You also should speak with him or her about an investment strategy for your assets if you’ve been affected by the recent downturn in the market.

Remember, you don’t need a cheerleader for your investments; you need an adviser, someone who will guide you and work for your best interest in good markets and bad.

Why is it that most people plan thoughtfully for life goals but seem to push to the side their financial planning goals?  This is a question that has confused me for years.  It’s like people are programmed to fall short on financial matters.  Then it hit me, most people are programmed to fall short on financial matters.  Think back to your time in school for instance.  Do you remember learning about budgeting your finances and investments or how to start and operate a business?  I would venture to say most likely not.  We were taught how to dissect a frog and label its intestines not to mention a score of other things we’ve never used since the day we finished a particular class.  With that said, we need to learn how to develop the right money habits to achieve financial freedom and I’d like to cover a few of those with you now.

First of all, have a budget.  This is a simple solution to a lot of financial problems out there.  However, most people live without one and that includes the affluent.  I would recommend your do a review of your most recent bank statement and write out on a piece of paper where all of your money went the past 30 days.  Once completed, most people are literally mystified by how they spent their money.  This would be a great start to prioritize your expenses and start saving.

Next, distinguish your needs from desires.  This usually is a hard sell because we are all emotionally driven when it comes to our purchase decisions.  Ask yourself this question next time, “Do I need this item or do I just want it?”  If you get in the habit of asking good questions you’ll save a lot over the course of the year and be much better off for it.

Next, you must learn the difference between good debt and bad debt.  Some experts say that no debt is the only way.  However, not everyone can do that.  That’s why it’s important to make good decisions with debt.  The basic rule is this; a bad debt is an item or good that will depreciate in value such as a vacation you can’t afford, a more expensive car, or basic extracurricular activities that use your credit card for.  A good debt is something like a mortgage, business loan, or student loan.  If used for the right reasons, these kinds of debts could be referred to as “investment debts” because they are meant to add long term value down the road.

And lastly for this article, start to set financial goals and take them seriously.  When people begin to educate themselves about money, they start to see how the financial world works and begin to see their own potential in it.  Ideally, they’ll align themselves with a financial advisor who can help guide them along the way and provide them a shared commitment to wealth building.  If you haven’t made such a commitment, then today is as good as any to make that happen.

It’s that time of year again, the time we conduct a self evaluation of ourselves and circumstances and see what areas we want to improve. We like to refer to them as resolutions even though we should call them and, more importantly, treat them as goals. Regardless of your choice of terms, this year happens to have even more significance. “Why?” you might ask. Well, not only do we close out 2009 and enter into the New Year but we also start the next decade of our lives as well. So, what financial resolutions do you have in store for this coming year and decade?

I know trying to forecast 10 years out is pretty difficult considering the last ten years we just experienced. We’ve dealt with the Y2K scare, then 9/11, two wars, the tech bubble, the real estate bubble, and the Wall Street bubble. As grim as all of that sounds, we’re still here and are pushing through. It’s not been easy and probably won’t be any easier going forward but how did you progress during that timeframe. Are you in a better financial position now than when you started? If so, what were some of the things that helped you improve your situation. Try and look back to see what things you could have done better such as household budgeting, saving more, or spending less. This exercise is not meant for you to go back and beat yourself up, it’s more for you to learn from your past decisions in case you experience the same type of challenges going forward.

With that said, what should you be doing right now to get ready for all of the positive change you want to experience in the New Year and beyond? First, write down your financial resolutions and make them public with someone that can help you stay on track. This could be a spouse or even your peers. You should also include your financial advisor on any goals you have going forward. If you don’t have a financial advisor, it’s time to find one.

Second, make your resolutions realistic. Sometimes we make our goals so big that we get easily discouraged when we don’t see the progress we were hoping for. Hope, coincidently, can be detrimental to the success of your resolutions. Most of your goals are going to take massive action on your behalf to come to fruition. Resting on hope alone can sabotage your success.

Lastly, make your resolutions measureable. Nothing will kill a resolution faster than a half hearted attempt to accomplish something. Your resolutions have to be descriptive and clear as to what you are trying to accomplish. Break them down into stages so you can easily see your progress. This will help you stay focused towards the end result you’re looking for.