Financial Planning Archives - The Segrust Group

Differentiating the Major Fund Types

July 17, 2023July 17, 2023Cliff Cadle

There comes a time in many conversations I have, where I can see the nervousness build. When I see that happen, I know exactly what is going on. There is a question about an investment or strategy, but they are afraid to ask it. Maybe it’s out of fear of looking uninformed. Maybe it’s out of fear of the answer itself. Either way, I would like to tell you now, loud and clear: PLEASE ASK ME! I love answering your questions. It’s literally why I do what I do. I want to help people solve problems and put them on a solid financial path. So, in this vein, let me answer a common question, you may be afraid to ask. What differentiates Mutual Funds, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), and Hedge Funds? A Mutual Fund is a company. That’s the best way to think about it. That company owns securities, such...

What are Bond Yields and Why Do They Matter?

June 16, 2023June 16, 2023Cliff Cadle

Previously, I broke down some of the most common terms associated with bonds and what they mean. But there was one term I left unexplained – and often, it’s the one you hear the most about in the media. I’m referring to a bond’s yield. So, without further ado, let’s answer: Questions You Were Afraid to Ask #9:What are bond yields and why do they matter? Super-quick refresher on four of the terms we defined last time, because they’ll play a role here, too: Par Value: This is the amount that must be returned to the investor when the bond matures – essentially, the original investor’s principal. (Many bonds are issued at a par value of $1,000.) Coupon Rate: This is the bond’s interest rate, paid by the issuer at specific intervals. For instance, let’s say you owned a $1,000 bond with a 10% annual coupon rate. The issuer would...

Debt Ceiling Update

June 2, 2023June 2, 2023Cliff Cadle

On May 1, the Secretary of the Treasury informed Congress that the U.S. could default on its debt by June 1 if legislators do not raise the nation’s debt ceiling.1 This announcement was not a surprise. The U.S. officially hit the debt ceiling in January but were able to stave off any immediate effects through the use of “extraordinary measures.” (These are essentially accounting tools the government can use to pay its bills without authorizing any new debt.) The Secretary’s recent message was to let Congress know those measures are close to being exhausted. Without raising the debt ceiling, the U.S. will not have the money it needs to pay its debts. Should a default actually happen, the economic consequences could be severe. But even if Congress staves off the unthinkable, simply going down to the wire can have negative effects on the markets. To explain why that is, it’s...

Volatility Do’s and Dont’s

May 20, 2023May 20, 2023Cliff Cadle

Between rising interest rates and a recent spate of bank failures, there’s a lot of uncertainty in the economy right now. This, in turn, has brought volatility back to the markets. It’s no surprise, then, that many of my clients, friends, and family have asked me what investors should be doing about it. So, I thought I would write it down: Five Do’s and Don’ts During Times of Market Volatility 1. DON’T panic and make emotional decisions. During times of uncertainty or fear, humans are prone to make decisions based on their “fight or flight” response. Yes, this is even true of our financial decisions! When market volatility strikes, many people make knee-jerk decisions simply so they can feel like they are doing something. So they can feel “in control.” But think about when you’re driving a car, and you see an animal in the road. What happens when...

Frustrated Yet?

May 7, 2023May 7, 2023Cliff Cadle

If you are paying any attention to the news or even just the conversations wafting through the office, you have heard the concerns regarding the world and domestic economy. Inflation is the highest it has been in decades – meaning EVERYTHING costs more – and retirement accounts are being hammered by it all, begging the question… FRUSTRATED YET? If you’re like most investors, the answer is an emphatic YES! But then the real question, especially after the recent market uncertainty and volatility, is “What can you do about it?” While we at the Segrust Group don’t pretend to have all the answers, our clients—people just like you—would tell you that we have enough to take away the frustrations. The good news is, «Salutation», my team and I are here to help our clients navigate the current market environment. (Following is an example of how this letter should be customized for...

Giving Tuesday: How to Factor Charitable Giving Into Your Financial Plan

November 19, 2021November 29, 2021Cliff Cadle

Financial security is a top concern for many Americans. When it comes to planning for retirement, the necessity of saving enough money is front-of-mind for virtually every investor. But there’s one area where most people are missing out on an opportunity to build their legacy—charitable giving in their retirement plans. Though 2020 was a difficult year for many around the world, the numbers pointed to a heartwarming trend in charitable giving among the American public. Data collected by the Fundraising Effectiveness Project found that giving was 7.6% higher throughout the first three quarters of 2020 than the prior year, and 25% more giving was done on Giving Tuesday. This month, in the spirit of Giving Tuesday, we’ll be outlining several strategies you can use to make charitable giving a fruitful part of your life and retirement plan. 1. Work giving into your budget Most people who are familiar with budgeting...

Planning for Marriage: Financial Tips for Women

June 22, 2016March 19, 2021Cliff Cadle

Planning for marriage should involve more than just picking out invitations and deciding whether you should serve chicken or fish at the reception. More importantly, you’ll want to take a look at how marriage will impact your financial situation. And while there are a number of issues you’ll need to think about, careful planning can increase the likelihood that you’ll have financial success as you enter this new chapter in your life. Consider a prenuptial agreement If either you or your future spouse has or may inherit substantial assets, or if either of you has children from previous marriages, you may want to consider a prenuptial agreement. A prenuptial agreement is a binding contract between future spouses that defines the rights, duties, and obligations of the parties during marriage and in the event of legal separation, annulment, divorce, or death. A prenuptial agreement typically addresses the following areas: Assets and...

Women and Money: Taking Control of Your Finances

November 12, 2014November 12, 2014Cliff Cadle

Even if you have a partner who traditionally manages household finances, it’s important to be involved in the budgeting and investing decisions that have an effect on your overall financial picture. Some credit traps to avoid: When using revolving credit, avoid spending more than you can pay off at the end of each billing cycle Be aware of hidden interest and fees When transferring balances to take advantage of low interest rates, be sure to pay off outstanding balances before the teaser rate expires Be sure to make payments on time; otherwise it could negatively affect your credit report Women and Money: Taking Control of Your Finances As a woman, you have financial needs that are unique to your situation in life. Perhaps you would like to buy your first home. Maybe you need to start saving for your child’s college education. Or you might be concerned about planning for...

Merging Your Money When You Marry

October 20, 2014March 19, 2021Cliff Cadle

Merging Your Money When You Marry Getting married is exciting, but it brings many challenges. One such challenge that you and your spouse will have to face is how to merge your finances. Planning carefully and communicating clearly are important, because the financial decisions that you make now can have a lasting impact on your future. Discuss your financial goals The first step in mapping out your financial future together is to discuss your financial goals. Start by making a list of your short-term goals (e.g., paying off wedding debt, new car, vacation) and long-term goals (e.g., having children, your children’s college education, retirement). Then, determine which goals are most important to you. Once you’ve identified the goals that are a priority, you can focus your energy on achieving them. Prepare a budget Next, you should prepare a budget that lists all of your income and expenses over a certain...

Financial Planning: Helping You See the Big Picture

October 1, 2014October 1, 2014Cliff Cadle

Financial Planning: Helping You See the Big Picture Do you picture yourself owning a new home, starting a business, or retiring comfortably? These are a few of the financial goals that may be important to you, and each comes with a price tag attached. That’s where financial planning comes in. Financial planning is a process that can help you target your goals by evaluating your whole financial picture, then outlining strategies that are tailored to your individual needs and available resources. Why is financial planning important? A comprehensive financial plan serves as a framework for organizing the pieces of your financial picture. With a financial plan in place, you’ll be better able to focus on your goals and understand what it will take to reach them. One of the main benefits of having a financial plan is that it can help you balance competing financial priorities. A financial plan will...