Family Finances Archives

7 Fun Money Lessons to Teach Your Kids this Summer

Summer is a great time for kids to catch fireflies, perfect their backstrokes, daydream, and learn some great lessons about money and financial literacy. Sound like a hard idea to sell to kids in vacation mode? Not if you make it a rewarding part of summer fun. Here are some tips to incorporate smart money lessons for kids from K-12 that will add to their summer fun and set a great foundation for making smart money choices later on.

SAVING

Ask your kids to set aside part their allowance for a special summer savings goal then sweeten the pot by telling them you’ll match whatever they save. For the little ones it could be as simple as setting up 2 jars, one for their summer goal (like a super-soaker, hula hoop, or the ingredients for s’mores) and one for the rest of their allowance. They’ll love seeing the jars fill up with coins and counting and re-counting their money. For older kids who are saving for a concert ticket, an app or a website that keeps track of their savings and your matching funds is a great way of getting them interested.

EARNING

Nothing like learning the satisfaction of having your “own” money! Even if your older children have an actual summer job, consider “hiring” them for extra chores like organizing your photo files, digitizing old cassettes and CDs, or washing the windows. For the little ones, watering plants, pulling up 20 weeds (counting skills!) or helping you rinse the car can help add their allowance jars.

INVESTING

There are fun games to teach kids of all ages about the stock market, investing, and the power of compound interest. The best way of course, though, is to follow the real stock market. Why not have every family member invest a virtual $1000 in 2 companies whose products they know at the beginning of the summer (Lego and Disney for the younger kids, for instance) and see who ends up with the most virtual profit by the end of the summer. Or, if you have the resources, open accounts for the kids with real investments, however small, so they can watch them go up and down, while earning interest, over the months and years ahead. The SEC’s site Investor.gov has a great compound interest generator to show kids how their money could grow.

SPENDING

Summer is also a great time to teach kids about comparison shopping, supply and demand, and the power of buying things when they are on sale. Keeping track of what you save each time you buy a sale-priced item this summer can be an eye-opening for your kids. As you enjoy vacation trips, or even day trips to waterparks, let your kids know about the value you are getting (rather than complaining about high prices.) Give the kids a choice when possible, telling them how much you have to spend for the day and ask their input about how to spend it. When they know that buying cotton candy means they are giving up two rides they learn a valuable lesson about resource allocation!

READING

Find great books to read or listen to in the car about entrepreneurs’ success stories. Young children will enjoy books about Thomas Edison, for instance, or Alexander Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday. Try a biography of Steve Jobs for the teens, or check out finance videos from Khan Academy.

PAYING

Take a moment to explain what you’re paying for when you’re paying bills: show your kids how the electric bills soar in the summer if you’re use air conditioning or your water bill if you’re watering the lawn. Calculate – or Google – how much it costs when they leave lights on. Not exactly entertaining but an empowering eye-opener for kids.

PLAYING

Nothing like a great game of Monopoly to while away summer nights while teaching kids about saving up for those houses and hotels (including our favorite trick: hiding money under the board so no one sees how much you are accumulating!)

In short, if you treat money matter-of-factly – and build in some challenges, competition, and entertainment – summer can be a great time to sneak in a little fun “schooling” that will help prepare kids for an empowered future.

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The views expressed in this blog post are as of the date of the posting, and are subject to change based on market and other conditions. This blog contains certain statements that may be deemed forward-looking statements. Please note that any such statements are not guarantees of any future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected.

Please note that nothing in this blog post should be construed as an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase an interest in any security or separate account. Nothing is intended to be, and you should not consider anything to be, investment, accounting, tax or legal advice. If you would like investment, accounting, tax or legal advice, you should consult with your own financial advisors, accountants, or attorneys regarding your individual circumstances and needs. No advice may be rendered by Sherman Wealth unless a client service agreement is in place.

It’s Time For Your Mid-Year Financial Review

As we reach the midway point of the year, it’s an ideal time to pause, reflect, and conduct a comprehensive financial review. A mid-year financial review allows you to reassess your financial goals, evaluate your progress, and make necessary adjustments to ensure your financial well-being. If you have yet to schedule your mid-year or even annual review, now is the time, and here is why. Let’s delve into some key areas to focus on during your mid-year financial review, including cash management, insurance analysis, account consolidation, estate planning, and just overall financial organization.

Cash Management: Given the current high interest rate economic environment, there is tons of opportunity to make your cash work harder for you. Managing your cash effectively is crucial for maintaining financial stability and achieving your goals. Consider taking advantage of higher interest rates currently available in high-yield savings accounts and CDs. These options provide a safe and secure way to grow your money while keeping it easily accessible, with little illiquidity and risk. Review your current savings strategy, check in on your emergency fund balance, and determine if it aligns with your goals. Make small adjustments to your monthly savings strategy and budget to optimize your cash flow and maximize your savings potential.

Insurance Analysis: This next topic is one we’ve been talking a lot about with clients now that we are officially through the first half of the year. Insurance is a vital component of financial security, providing protection for your health, property, and loved ones. Whether you have insurance or not, use this mid-year review as an opportunity to conduct a thorough analysis of your insurance coverage to ensure it meets your current needs. Review policies such as health, life, disability, umbrella, home, and auto insurance, comparing rates and coverage options. This analysis will help you identify any gaps in coverage and potentially reduce costs by consolidating policies or negotiating better rates.If you would like a referral to a life insurance professional, please let us know and we are happy to help.

Estate Planning Review: Next, while your analyzing your insurance coverage, make sure you don’t forget about your estate plan. Estate planning is often overlooked, but it’s a critical aspect of ensuring your assets are protected and eventually distributed according to your wishes. Reach out to your estate attorney and review your will, trusts, and power of attorney documents to ensure they accurately reflect your current circumstances and intentions, and are also updated to reflect for current tax code provisions. Life events, such as marriage, divorce, or the birth of a child, may require updates to your estate plan. If you haven’t established an estate plan, now is the time to consult with an attorney to create one that aligns with your goals.

Account Consolidation: Over time, it’s common to accumulate multiple bank accounts and retirement savings plans, such as 401(k)s. Consolidating these accounts can simplify your financial life, reduce headaches and the possibility of “losing” an old account, and potentially save you money on fees. Review your accounts and consider consolidating them where appropriate, while also maximizing the interest rates and return you are earning. Streamlining your financial accounts will not only make it easier to track your progress but also provide a clearer picture of your overall financial health.

Organization: Lastly, financial organization is key to maintaining control over your finances. Take the opportunity during your mid-year financial review to organize your financial documents, including bank statements, investment account statements, tax records, and insurance policies. Consider automating and aggregating your financial picture, especially for document management and budgeting, as aggregation can streamline the process and provide easy access to your financial information.

Take this opportunity to sit down and conduct your own mid year review, or schedule a meeting with your financial professional. Checking in not only with your family, but with your financial progress mid-year is a great way to benchmark your progress towards reaching your goals. If you are interested in setting up a mid-year review, email us at info@shermanwealth.com or schedule a 30-minute consultation meeting here.

Lock In Peaking Interest Rates While You Still Can

For those of you who have been following the markets and the current state of the economy, you know that the Federal Reserve has been hiking interest rates for months now to combat high levels of inflation. Living in this higher interest rate environment, many individuals have been seeking strategies to maximize their cash, including taking advantage of these high rates in vehicles such as high yield savings accounts, CDs, Treasury Bills, and I-bonds. As inflation is finally beginning to ease, let’s talk about how these vehicles will also change in response and what to look out for.

Next week on June 13, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics will report the Consumer Price Index data for May, which will indicate what the Federal Reserve will do at their next meeting to interest rates. The Federal Reserve has hiked interest rates 10 times over the last year, and efforts to combat inflation has showed progress as inflation has definitely decelerated sharply since last summer, but core inflation remains in a close range.

As we have talked about a great deal over the last few months, high yield savings account rates have reached a 15-year high, with “top-yielding online savings account rates now just north of 5%, the highest since 2008, and much higher than last year’s 0.8%”, according to Bankrate.com. So, if you have yet to capture this higher yield and your money is still in a large money-center bank earning close to 0%, consider switching to maximize your savings. Given the uncertainty we have seen in the banking system, you also want to keep in mind the importance of FDIC-insured limits while still shopping around for the best interest rates.

Next, for those savers who have wanted to earn additional interest on their cash, they have been parking their money in I-bonds, Treasury Bills, and CDs, that have been earning over the 5% mark. However, in more recent weeks, with inflation easing, Series I bonds and Treasury bills are beginning to slip, with CDs still remaining attractive to savers. So, if you have cash sitting you’d like to earn risk-free interest on, lock up those 5%-range CDs before it’s too late. Of course, before locking up your cash into a CD, you need to make sure you address your time horizon and need for those dollars.

We know that current economic environment is ever-changing and the future of the banking system and economy is uncertain, but want you to maximize your savings and take advantage of all attractive financial opportunities available. As mentioned above, before jumping into anything or locking up your money in an investment vehicle with time restrictions, make sure you think about your goals, priorities, responsibilities, and needs. Now is a great time to think about working with a financial professional to spring clean your finances and plan for the rest of the year. If you have any questions about interest rate policy of your specific financial situation, email us at info@shermanwealth.com or schedule a complimentary intro call here.

Financial Secrets and Money Mistakes Within A Relationship

One mistake we often see overlooked by individuals is the discussion of money with their partner. We know that money conversations with your partner, whether new or old, can get messy and feel uncomfortable; however, having those discussions is so incredibly important to the wellbeing of your financial life. It has become so common that people let secrecy and financial infidelity get in the way of their relationships that they ultimately derail their financial future as a whole. We have long been discussing the intersection of love and money and how to incorporate communication into your relationship to avoid some of these mistakes.

Let’s take a look at how common financial secrets within a relationship actually are. TD Stories’ seventh annual Love and Money Survey released a survey that noted despite what couples may share about their relationship and comfortability with money, money secrets are at an all time high. This year’s survey polled over 1,400 U.S. individuals who were either married, divorced, or in a serious relationship. The survey found that “In fact, nearly one-third of Americans (32%) are keeping a financial secret from their partner, an 11% increase from 2021. With individuals keeping secrets from their partners, we have seen scenarios in which individuals have pulled loans from their 401(k)’s and unraveled their retirement plan, lived in a house they truly cannot afford, and built up unnecessary and hidden debt. As you can see, these secrets are not worth the financial consequences and sacrificing your financial security and future.

In a previous podcast episode with Music City Pysch’s David Pearl, we discussed how to have transparent, honest, judgment-free, conversations with your partner. These conversations are crucial in establishing a strong and honest foundation for the relationship as a whole. It’s very fascinating that even though most of these respondents answered that they feel comfortable discussing finances with their partner, many of them have no intention of sharing their money secret(s). The survey also found that respondents are prone to “letting things slide” and pushing off these financial conversations instead of having these tensioned conversations.

Given the somewhat shocking data listed above, it seems obvious to state the importance of communication and honesty within a relationship. Whether it’s a big purchase you may be hiding, old student debt you’re embarrassed about, or a secret bank account you are keeping, take a step back to uncover why you feel you need to be secretive about your finances and attempt to find a way to bring it up to your partner. If you find yourself in this position, start small and work towards establishing an open and truthful line of communication with the person you are sharing your life with. For more resources and tips on how to facilitate these conversations, check out our podcast episodes with David Pearl or email us at info@shermanwealth.com with more questions. If you would like to discuss your personal or family financial situation, schedule a complimentary intro-meeting here.

What Are Your Financial Resolutions for 2023?

Happy Holiday Season! We hope you all have a wonderful holiday season and New Years celebration. It’s certainly been a rollercoaster of a year, with inflation at a 40-year high and the Federal Reserve rising interest rates. When a new year rolls around, we often think about the year just behind us and set financial resolutions and goals for the year to come. So, let’s discuss a few great 2023 financial resolutions we’ve seen and recommend to ensure you are starting your new year off on the right foot.

Prior to setting your financial resolutions, it’s a good idea to think about goal setting and how to set challenging, yet realistic and attainable objectives for the coming year. We often talk about the framework of goal-setting, distinguishing between short and long-term financial goals, and sticking to your strategy in order to reach those goals. So, now that we discussed how to set those goals, what are some good resolutions to put in place?

Pay Off Debt

Paying off debt seems to be a common financial resolution as we head into 2023. If you have loans or credit card debt, think about making a plan to pay it off and sticking to it. In this rising interest rate environment, if you have variable interest rate debt, make sure you know your rates and are setting a plan to attack your debt. If you need assistance in setting up a strategy to tackle your debt, we are here to help!

Set a Realistic Budget

When it comes to finances, we see that individuals oftentimes are stressed or concerned about their budgeting and spending. We’ve seen many articles discussing how American’s are changing their budgets and re-thinking their spending this holiday season. Think about your cash flows, wants vs. your needs, along with long and short-term goals to reach a reasonable and realistic budget that works for you and your family.

Automate & Track Your Finances

If you aren’t already doing so, automating your finances is a crucial way to get organized. Aggregating all your accounts into one place that is accessible at the click of a few buttons on your smartphone can drastically change how you view your situation as a whole. If you are interested in utilizing our data aggregation software, let us know and we are happy to help you get started!

Saving For Big Purchase/Goal

Whether it’s a new home, college, or a kitchen renovation, we know saving for a big purchase can be stressful. In our podcast episode with David Pearl, we discussed intentional and smart spending, and how there can sometimes be a psychological disconnect when saving for and actually spending money on a large goal. This disconnect and sense of stress is very common when saving for a big purchase, which is why it’s crucial to set up a savings plan and budget that works for you.

Increase Your Retirement Savings

The contribution limits for 2023 have recently increased. If you are unaware of the retirement inflation-adjustments, check out our blog for a breakdown of those changes. This increase in contribution limits is a great opportunity to ramp up your retirement savings in 2023. Also, as we are only a few days into the New Year, make sure to review your company 401(k) match to ensure you are taking full advantage of your situation.

While these are only a few financial resolutions that may help you improve your financial stability and situation in 2023, there are endless moves that can be made to better your overall financial outlook. If you have any questions about setting attainable goals and resolutions for 2023, email us at info@shermanwealth.com or schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation here.

End Of The Year Financial Contributions & Checklist

It’s hard to believe, but the final quarter of the year is now upon us. As 2022 comes to a close, here are some key money moves you can make to finish the year off strong and set yourself up for success in 2023.

GATHER AND ANALYZE YOUR DATA

As we head into the final months of the year, it may be a good time to gather your important financial documents, preferably into once place such as an automated financial planning software. Once your financial data is organized, analyze it, take a look at your spending, budgets, and cash flow, to make sure you are on track to reach your financial goals for the year. Then, implement any necessary changes. Additionally within this process, take some time to set new financial goals for you and your family for the upcoming year.

REBALANCE YOUR PORTFOLIO

Given the extreme market volatility and economic uncertainty we’ve seen this year, this task is more important than in previous years. If you are working with a financial professional, ask them to tax loss harvest your accounts to capture losses, and rebalance your portfolio. As mentioned above, given the extreme market volatility the markets have been facing, make sure your asset allocation is right for you, that you are comfortable with your portfolio during the highs and the lows. Even if you’ve found the perfect asset allocation for your investment portfolios, its important to revisit your allocations periodically and do a portfolio review. Overtime, your investments may perform differently than you expected, which will change your intended allocation.

END OF THE YEAR CONTRIBUTIONS

If you’re planning to max out your 401(k) for 2022, mark your calendar for December 31st, as this is the last chance to do so. The IRS just announced retirement contribution limits for 2023, so check those out as your project your budget for next year. If you receive an end-of-the-year bonus, you may want to consider putting as much of it toward your 401(k) plan as you are able to. Additionally, if your company offers a match, make sure you are contributing at least the match to take advantage of those essentially free dollars.

If you are HSA eligible, make sure you are contributing to your HSA before the end of the year. Lastly, if you have young children, hopefully you are already contributing to a 529 plan to help pay for college when the time arrives. If not, now is the time to set one up. If you already have an account set up, make sure you remember to make your annual contribution. 529 plans have varying deadlines set by the state, but many have a December 31 cut-off. If you miss the end-of-year deposit deadline for your plan, you could be missing out on significant state tax breaks.

CONVERT TO A ROTH IRA IF ELIGIBLE

A Roth IRA conversion involves transferring retirement funds from a traditional IRA or 401(k) into a Roth account. Since the former is tax-deferred while a Roth is tax-exempt, the deferred income taxes due must be paid on the converted funds at that time. There is no early withdrawal penalty. Inquire about whether a Roth conversion is right for you.

CONTRIBUTE TO A DONOR ADVISED FUND OR OTHER CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION

Donor-advised funds are tax-deductible financial accounts provided by 501(c)(3) nonprofits who are approved, donor-advised fund sponsors. The funds are opened in the donor’s name, and they enable a donor to donate funds and get a tax-deduction immediately while deciding later which organization those funds will support.

After you set up a DAF, you can add money or appreciated assets into one of these funds and receive a tax deduction for the money or assets on the day you put them in the fund. And then, any time in the future — whether one day or ten years later — you can give the money out to any charity of your choosing. Check out our podcast with Elizabeth Goldstein regarding Donor Advised Funds and how to get involved.

CHECK ON YOUR ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS

Now is a good time to revisit the annual subscriptions you are paying for. Do you really need Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV and other streaming services at the same time? You might be able to cut down on some of your monthly expenses by taking a good look at what you are actually using vs. what you are paying for. You’d be surprised at how these services add up so it’s a good time to assess what you might be able to save money on in the upcoming year.

Finally, now is a great time to schedule a meeting with your financial advisor to review your year-end financial planning. It’s important to have that meeting before year-end to set the stage for a financially successful year in 2023. Besides the list mentioned above, there are tons of other tasks you may need to check off your list before the end of the year so let us know if you need any help! If you don’t currently have a financial advisor and would like some help with your year-end planning, please contact us for a free 30-minute consultation today!

What Happens If You Try To Spend More Than Your Credit Limit?

When you sign up for a credit card, you are often assigned a credit limit when that account is opened. These limits typically start at $200 and go up to tens of thousands of dollars. With so many people out of jobs and finding it hard to make ends meet these days, credit cards have become a necessary resource to pay for things that we might not have the money for right now. However, the more you charge on your cards, the closer you may come to hitting that max limit. If you do hit that amount, you are likely to get hit with over-the-limit fees. Before you decide to use your credit card to pay for necessities, there are alternatives to going over your max before risking having your credit limit cut or incurring unnecessary fees.

Can You Go Over Your Credit Limit?

Yes, you can go over your credit limit, but there’s no surefire way to know how much you can spend in excess of your limit. Card issuers may consider a variety of factors, such as your past payment history, when deciding the risk of approving an over-the-limit transaction. Any approved transactions above your credit limit are subject to over-the-limit (or over-limit) fees. This credit card fee is typically up to $35, but it can’t be greater than the amount you spend over your limit. So if you spend $20 over your limit, the fee can’t exceed $20.

Due to the CARD Act of 2009, over-limit fees can’t be charged without your consent. As a result of these regulations, most card issuers have done away with over-limit fees and the default for any transactions over your credit limit may be that the transaction is simply denied.

If you do consent to a one-time over-limit fee, you can change your mind and opt-out at any time. However, in doing so, your card issuer will likely decline any purchases you attempt to make over your limit. Even if you opt-in to over-limit fees, transactions exceeding your credit limit may still be denied.

Should You Go Over Your Credit Limit?

While spending over your credit limit might relieve some short-term problems, it can also cause long-term financial issues, including fees, debt and damage to your credit score. The best practice is to try to maintain a low credit utilization rate – avoid maxing out your card and spending anywhere near your credit limit. If you do go over your limit, you should sit down and consider why it happened in the first place and review your budget. You should figure out what purchases caused you to spend more and whether you can make any changes to your spending habits.

Alternatives If Your Credit Limit Is Low

For those that may have a low credit limit or if your credit limit recently got cut, there are some options to ensure you don’t max out your spending. If you’ve had a low credit limit for a while and currently have a stable job, you may want to request a credit limit increase. This can be a good idea if you have good credit (scores 670 to 739) or excellent credit (scores 740 and greater) or if you haven’t updated your income in a while and make more money than what’s listed. Your card issuer may pull your credit report for this request, which may cause a small, temporary ding to your credit score.

However, if your credit limit was reduced, you may want to consider other options. Cardholders with good payment history and a stable job should call their card issuer and ask for reconsideration. You should ask why your credit limit was cut, explain that your account is in good standing and that you have a stable source of income to pay off your bill. This may shed light on why your limit was lowered and potentially result in your credit limit increasing — though there is no guarantee. Rather than asking for a credit limit increase on the card that had a reduction, you may want to consider any other cards you have instead. If you have three credit cards and one got the limit cut, see if you can get an increase on one or both of the other two,

If you have a history of missed payments or maxing out your cards, you are likely not a good candidate for reconsideration and don’t want to draw attention to yourself. Therefore, if you fall into one of these categories, it’s best to not try to request a higher limit.

When To Apply For A New Credit Card

Cardholders with only one credit card and a low credit limit may want to consider opening a new credit card, but should be aware of any potential risks. For starters, if you were recently laid off or faced a reduction in income, you may not be in the best position to be approved for a new card, and there’s no sense in adding a new credit inquiry to your credit report if your chances are low. Also, if you have a history of maxing out your card, you should be aware that more credit can lead to more debt. An additional credit limit can be helpful for affording your expenses, but it can also be harmful if you overspend.

Before opening a new card, give yourself clear guidelines on how you’ll use the card and stick to keeping a low credit utilization rate. When it comes time to pay your bill, make on-time payments of at least the minimum every month for all of your cards. If you are able to do so, pay in full so that your credit score will improve and your debt will be minimized. When applying for a new card, check your credit score first to narrow down your options. Then consider cards based on your credit score.

In these tough times, we need to be responsible when it comes to spending and not see going over your credit limit as a choice. If you do need to use your credit cards to pay for utilities, groceries and other necessities right now, make sure you are aware of your max and other options you might be able to work out with the credit card companies before going over your limit. When you do receive those credit card statements, make sure to pay at least the minimum amount each month to maintain a positive credit score. And, make sure you are paying the bills on time to ensure you won’t incur any late fees either. If you have any questions about credit, credit cards or other issues concerning your finances, please contact us. We are all in this together and we’re here to help!

Are Inflationary Prices Here To Stay?

Have you been feeling the impacts of inflation over the last 6-9 months? As many of us are starting to spend more money again on things we had been accustomed to pre-Covid, you are likely noticing that costs related to dining, travel, gas, and more have been on the rise. Over the last few months, we’ve been talking a great deal about inflation and the impact it is having on us all.

As you may have been seeing in the headlines of CNBC and The Wall Street Journal, higher prices seem like they are here to stay when it comes to Uber and Lyft, FedEx and UPS, and even the dollar store. Last week we even saw US Crude Oil hitting a record high since 2014, reaching over $80 a barrel. We’re not the only ones talking about it- A CNBC article noted that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen cautioned that inflationary pressures hitting the US economy could last a while.

As we focus on this data and the likelihood of a longer term inflationary impact, how are you feeling about it? Some of you may be not panicking over the increased dollar here or there, but others are certainly feeling the impacts. What’s important to remember during a time like this is to not get overwhelmed, but to adjust your financial plan and budget. Revisit your wants versus your needs and decide what is a priority for you and your family. Since it now costs more to fill your tank with gas, maybe you can scale back on some of your take-out meals. In the event your spending habits change as a result of inflation, it’s key to align your budget with your cash flows and monthly expenses. If you have questions about how to realign your budget and spending habits with your financial goals and current economic situation, email us at info@shermanwealth.com or schedule a complimentary 30-minute consultation here.

Financial Checklist for Newlyweds

Just tied the knot? Or getting ready for the big day? Well, no matter the situation, you are about to take the next step with your partner and should probably start thinking about next steps for your financial future.

Below we will list some newlywed topics to think about when taking those next steps with your significant other.

Changing Your Name

Changing your name is a big step. But whatever you decide, you’ll need to make your new name legal as one of the first tasks of married life. If you do decide to change your name, it’s important hen changing your name,

2. Combining Your Money

Once you’ve taken care of any necessary name changes, it’s time to make some decisions about how your new household will merge and manage finances. It is important to communicate to understand who will be assuming responsibility for certain things and who will be contributing to the finances.

3. Think About Combining Insurance Plans

When discussing merging finances, remember insurance. Now that you are married, consider adding your spouse to your insurance plan to make it cheaper for the both of you.

4. Deicide Who Your Beneficiaries Are

Now that you are married, you probably will want to update the beneficiaries on all of your accounts, such as 401(K)’s, IRA’s , and bank accounts.

5. Smooth Out Property Titles

Now that you are married, are you moving in together? Did you purchase a house? Make sure to put each-other on the title of the house to represent that you both have ownership.

6. Budgeting

Communication is key. We have long talked about the importance of communicating with a spouse, especially when it comes to budgeting and spending. If you and your significant other are not on the same page when it comes to budgeting and spending, you may not be headed towards a solid financial future.

While these are only a few of the topics you should incorporate into your financial conversations, the best place to start is establishing strong line communication. Communication is key in understanding each other’s views and building a strong foundation together. We recently recorded a podcast with psychotherapist and consultant, David Pearl, discussing how to have uncomfortable and oftentimes difficult money conversations with your spouse. For any questions or direction on your newlywed financial situation, reach out to us at info@shermanwealth.com or schedule a complimentary 30-minute meeting here.

10 Important Things To Discuss Before Marriage

10 Things to Discuss Before the Big Day

You are excited, in love, and planning the wedding of your dreams. Probably the only money questions on your mind are the down payments for the caterers and the florists!

Yet – whether your wedding reflects a minimalist sensibility or is a no-holds-barred extravaganza – it’s better to have a good understanding of each other’s finances before the “I Do’s”. This is a time when procrastination could cost you a bundle, even if neither one of you currently have a lot of assets.

Getting married is more than just substituting the word “ours” for “yours” and “mine”. It’s combining your finances, histories, dreams, aspirations, possessions – even your music – and making all of that “ours” too. Since a significant part of those dreams and aspirations involve money, having multiple financial conversations before marriage (or right after, if you’re newlyweds!) can help you start married life on a firmer footing, with regard to financial goals.

Here are a few conversations that will get your marriage off to a smoother financial start:

1) Views on money. How we feel about money is often very emotional and very personal. Our family’s views on money can have a big impact on the way we see finances. In some families money may not be talked about. In others, one partner may hide money or spending from the other. While we might not consciously have these same behaviors, our upbringing will have an impact on how we feel about money and how we save, spend, and budget.

The best way to address unconscious – and sometimes conflicting – money behaviors is to start by recognizing how you each feel about money. Then you can take a practical approach and implement the best strategies from the past and incorporate them into your new relationship. This will also give you a chance to address any not-so-beneficial attitudes and behaviors and work to consciously change them.

2) Spending/Saving Habits. Chances are the two of you don’t spend and save money the same way. The interesting thing about spending and saving habits is that they give insight into priorities, both financial and otherwise because we tend to spend money on things we feel are most important and scoff at spending on things we see as unimportant. Some people value saving more than anything and could be considered “tightwads”. Other people have a “live for today” attitude and spend whatever they have available, saving nothing or little for later. Most of us find ourselves somewhere in the middle.

Not agreeing on spending priorities can lead to serious conflicts down the line. While there is no right and wrong answer regarding priorities and habits, it’s valuable to know and understand each other’s habits earlier rather than later.

3) Divvying Up the Bills. This is an important conversation about how you will manage your money together. Will you have separate or joint accounts? Who will be responsible for paying the bills and investing for long term goals? A realistic understanding both of your current incomes and current debts is important so you can create a realistic budget based on your combined income and expenses.

4) Credit History. No one likes to talk about credit ratings because they highlight past mistakes and spending habits. Yet it’s essential to know and discuss your credit histories. This can help you talk about past money mistakes, current debt loads, and how to address any issues that are lurking. Having this conversation now will also help if you’re planning to borrow money for a large purchase, such as a home or car; credit history will effect how much you’ll pay in interest for loans, as well as how much it will cost for things like insurance. Many companies even pull credit for potential job applicants. When it comes to credit, it’s best not to have surprises down the road, so have the conversation now.

5) Risk Tolerance and Financial Goals. Couples often have very strong – and differing – feelings about risk and money that are deeply rooted in past experiences. Your family may have gone through periods of unemployment, for instance, or you may have grown up taking financial security for granted. One of your parents may have owned a business and you saw it go bankrupt, so you might be very conservative with your money and not want to take unnecessary chances. Or perhaps they invested in a business that was a huge success.

Everyone brings a different level of comfort when it comes to risk tolerance and it’s important to understand your partner’s because it has an impact on spending and savings habits – everything from where you invest to how much money you want to set aside. Money provides a level of security that can be very powerful and risk tolerance is directly linked to that feeling of security.

6) Ongoing Financial Obligations. If this is a second marriage, are there child support or alimony payments that need to be considered in the budget process? If so, how much and how long will the obligations need to be fulfilled. Caring for elderly parents might also be a long term expense you will be facing as a couple.

7) Net Worth. When it’s a first marriage, often neither partner has much in the way of assets, but if one partner has more than the other, are you going to want a pre-nuptial agreement? When discussing net worth it is valuable to discuss not only current net worth, but also aspiring net worth. What household income level are you both hoping to achieve. Will reaching those aspirations include additional education? Will it mean switching jobs several times early in your career? Will it mean working 80 hours a week for decades? As a couple, understanding financial expectations and future net worth aspirations will help you plan a life together that will meet both of your needs, financially and emotionally.

8) Family Plans. The family size you hope to have will also have a big impact on your financial needs. Children, as wonderful as they are, are very expensive to raise. Do you both want to have children and, if so, one child or several children? Discussions about how the children will be raised and educated are also valuable from a financial perspective. Will one of you stay home to raise the children? Will you pay for day care? How far apart should the children be? Each of these answers will have a significant financial impact to the family budget.

9) Combining Physical and Financial Assets. Particularly with couples getting married later, both partners will have accumulated possessions that now need to be combined. This can be as simple as which sofa and bedroom set to keep, or more complicated when multiple homes, retirement accounts, and other investments are brought into the mix. Discussing whether property, accounts, and debt should be left in individual names or held jointly is also an important conversation to have.

10) Wills, Trusts, and Life Insurance. When you’re getting married, you don’t really want to think about death. Yet wills, trusts, and life insurance need to be updated soon after you say, “I Do.” This is true especially if you have assets or children. The process of obtaining a will or trust is fairly straightforward; it’s the discussions that lead up to it that provide the most value. Both of you should have a good understanding of what you have and what you want to happen, should the unthinkable occur.

Financial advisors can be a real asset, when it comes to pre-marital financial discussions. They can help you determine when it is best to hold assets jointly or separately. Assistance with budgeting and planning for long term goals will help you create a strong financial plan. Advisors can also guide you in building a strategy for reaching financial milestones.

So, if you’re getting married (or just got married), congratulations! And while these discussions may not be the most romantic ones you’re having, they do have the ability to bring you closer together. Planning together and sharing your dreams will give you better insight into the mind and heart of the person you’ve fallen in love with and allow you to become stronger partners when it comes to reaching your goals as a couple, emotional as well as financial.

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