In a perfect world, everyone would start preparing for retirement when they get their first paycheck. But as Barry Bulakites suggests, that may not be possible for most people. Many things happen in between, and saving becomes a challenge. If you have found yourself in such a situation, here are some ideas on how you can prepare for retirement after 50.

Try to Reduce Debt

When you are 50, you are 10 to 15 years away from retirement. During this period, it will be wise to try and decrease your debt by reducing your reliance on credit. This is the time to take care of any liabilities such as mortgage debt. If you have too many debts, consider debt consolidation, as this will give you some room to breathe. Having no debts means you will have a carefree retirement.

Watch Your Spending

If you want to assess your financial health, you need to understand where your cash goes. Track your daily expenses as they will give you an idea of your spending habits. This also gives you a clear picture of how much income you need to maintain your current lifestyle. From there, you can tell if you need to adjust your spending habits or if you are on the right path to retirement.

Boost Your Retirement Savings

If saving up for retirement was not a priority earlier, Barry Bulakites advises that it is not too late to start. You can decide to make extra contributions to your retirement accounts, also referred to as catch-up contributions. Currently, young people are only allowed to contribute up to $6000 to an IRA and $19,500 to a 401(k). Anyone from the age of 50 can make a contribution of up to $7000 to their IRA, and $26,000 to their 401(k).

Open a Health Savings Account

It is good to prepare for unexpected medical expenses. Aging comes with a few medical conditions, and a huge medical bill can easily deplete all the money you have saved. Retirement planning also needs to consider future medical bills. Creating a health savings account reduces your taxable income. Plus, once you turn 65, you can start making withdrawals with zero penalties.

Live Like You Are Already Retired

When planning for retirement, you will likely try to come up with a sensible budget for that time. As Barry Bulakites recommends, the only way to ensure you can stick to that budget is by trying it out first. If you find it difficult to live within your retirement budget, yet you are working, then it will probably be more challenging when you retire and have more time to spend. So, try to make a few adjustments from the start. Consider taking fewer vacations in a year or downsizing. This is called retirement training, and it will ensure you have enough money for later days.

Planning for retirement can be challenging. However, you do not have to do it alone. Barry Bulakites advises adults to work with financial advisors to help them prepare for the future. This will ensure your retirement years are less stressful regarding money matters.

According to the expert, retirement planning is a process that many people neglect. They think about it when they are nearing retirement age, but by then, it is too late to do anything about it.

This article will share some tips on how you can distribute your retirement money wisely.

Consider your needs

The first thing you should do is make sure you have a good idea of your retirement needs. This will help you determine how much money you need to save and what kind of investments to put your money into. 

Wellman Shew says you need to decide if you want to take the lump-sum distribution or annuity payout. If you choose the lump sum, then you’ll need to figure out how much of that amount you want as a one-time payment and how much of it will be in monthly payments.

If you opt for an annuity, then you’ll need to determine how long it will run and what the monthly payout will be. Shew explains that you can also choose which company’s annuity product you want.

Establish an automatic withdrawal

You should also set up an automatic withdrawal so that you don’t have to worry about this later on in life. Wellman Shew adds that it might be wise to consult with a financial advisor before making any decisions on the best way for you to distribute your retirement money wisely.

Find out how much money you need to retire at age 65 or 70

The most common financial goal for most people is to retire. It’s a goal we all hope to reach one day, and it’s also a very individualized process. The amount of money you need to retire depends on many factors such as how much you spend per year, your current age, your desired retirement age, how long you plan on working, etc.

Understand the risks involved with investing your retirement money

Wellman Shew explains that investing your retirement money is a big decision, and it should not be taken lightly. There are many factors to consider when making this decision. If done correctly, investing can help ensure you have enough money for the future. However, if done incorrectly, it could lead to financial ruin or even bankruptcy. Examples of risks include increasing inflation, unstable interest rates, retirement plans with poor performance, etc.

Understand how taxes impact investment returns

The first thing to understand about taxes and investments is that there are two types of tax: income tax and capital gains tax. Shew says income tax is levied on the earnings from the investment, while capital gains tax is levied when an investor sells stocks or other assets and realizes a gain from the sale.

He holds a business administration degree and has been in the insurance industry since 1982. As the founder and owner of Shew & Company Inc. since 2005, he is a specialist in employee benefits, Section 125 plans, health savings accounts, long-term care, 401k plans, life insurance, and disability insurance. Wellman Shew is currently the agency manager of employee benefits brokerage at his company. 

Leadership at work may be required of you for a variety of reasons. It may be leading a team project on a tight deadline, handling a conflict among coworkers, or guiding your direct reports through a difficult situation. Whatever the challenge, being an effective leader can make all the difference in achieving career success.

Unfortunately,  not everyone is an effective leader. In fact, many people struggle with leadership. Here are 3 signs that you’re an ineffective leader and how to fix it. 

Your Team is Unmotivated

The first sign that you’re an ineffective leader is if your team is unmotivated. If your team isn’t enthusiastically working towards a common goal and are instead apathetic about their work, it’s likely due to ineffective leadership. 

There are a few ways to fix this. 

First, take a step back and assess your own motivation. If you’re not passionate about the work or the goal, it will be difficult to motivate others. Second, make sure you’re communicating the goal clearly and frequently. Everyone on the team should know what they’re working towards and why it’s important. 

Finally, provide regular feedback and recognition for a job well done. This will help team members feel valued and appreciated, and more likely to put forth their best effort.

You’re a Micromanager

Another sign that you may be an ineffective leader is if you’re a micromanager. If you’re constantly checking in on people, second-guessing their decisions, and breathing down their necks about that research product on trends in assisted living facilities or that report on the newest Tiktok challenges, it’s likely that you’re not giving them the space to do their best work. 

The solution is to learn to trust your team members. This doesn’t mean that you should blindly trust them – you should still provide guidance and support when needed. But it does mean giving them the freedom to make decisions and take actions without your constant supervision.

You’re Avoiding Conflict

A third sign that you may be an ineffective leader is if you’re avoiding conflict. It’s natural to want to avoid conflict, but as a leader, it’s important to face it head-on. 

If you’re not addressing problems or dealing with difficult situations, it will only make them worse. 

The key to dealing with conflict at work is to address it directly, but calmly and assertively. This means having difficult conversations when needed but also being respectful and open to others’ points of view. By dealing with conflict in a constructive way, you can turn it into an opportunity for growth and progress.

Being an effective leader is essential to achieving success at work. If you’re struggling with leadership, take a step back and assess your own behavior. By recognizing the signs that you’re an ineffective leader, you can take steps to improve your leadership skills and better motivate your team.

As a financial advisor, Arkhat G. Zhumadilov fields a lot of questions.

Recently, the most common question that he’s been asked is a seemingly simple one: “Where do I start?”

That’s because more people are investing for the first time than ever before. In fact, 15% of current account holders confirmed that they started investing in 2020, according to a recent survey conducted by Charles Schwab. Many beginners flooded the markets as a direct response to economic uncertainties and the global pandemic.

As this trend shows no signs of slowing down, Arkhat G. Zhumadilov knows it’s important to be cautious. While eager and engaged in their financial future, first-time investors often need guidance. As a CFO and owner of his own firm, Arkhat Zhumadilov has assisted nearly 100 companies, organizations, and people over the last decade in his hometown of Montgomery County, The Woodlands, and Spring, Texas, as well as nationally.

And he wants to help you too. When sitting down with clients for the first time, Arkhat Zhumadilov often has his own set of questions. With this in mind, the Montgomery County, TX-based financial adviser shares four questions every first-time investor needs to answer before making that first deposit.

What type of investor are you?

This sounds like an existential crisis. Yet the answer will have a profound impact on “how” you invest. Do you prefer to be hands-on and manage your portfolio every day? Or does this sound like a chore and would you rather delegate this task to a professional? While you must determine your approach, Arkhat G. Zhumadilov reminds his clients that there isn’t a correct choice. Investing does not demand a “one-size-fits-all” approach. Be honest with yourself and find what works best for you.

What is your goal?

“Why are you investing?” This is another question that requires some soul searching. Saving for a new car, home, or vacation requires vastly different strategies than setting aside money for retirement. Spend some time thinking about your financial goals and how you want to achieve them. Timeline is key. Short-term investments allow you to retain financial flexibility but produce lower rates of return comparatively.

What do you want to invest in?

Find a place for your funds. Online brokerage firms and apps, like TD Ameritrade and Robinhood, have reported boosts in usage amongst beginners. These are popular with DIY investors because of the increased control and freedom without a huge amount of upfront capital. For added support, robo-advisors may offer more structure. These services are typically backed by major firms and are available for a small fee.

Where do you want to invest?

In theory, it sounds easy enough. Set a budget. Diversify your investments. Balance short-term and long-term goals. Yet Arkhat Zhumadilov knows this can be much more difficult to accomplish than it appears, especially for novice investors. Although individual stocks provide a great entry point, the volatility can be tricky. As a general rule, Arkhat G. Zhumadilov advises you to never invest in anything you don’t understand or already support. But these should also compromise only a small portion of your portfolio anyway. For retirement, consider an individual retirement account (IRA) to maximize tax breaks.

With years of experience under her belt in the hospitality field, Stephanie McJury is using that experience to help others connect in a positive way with their clients and customers. It is important to establish a good working relationship to help facilitate repeat customers and clients that help a business to thrive. Whether the time spent connecting clients or customers is a short amount or a lengthy relationship, there are many things that can be done to foster a good and successful relationship.

Good communication is imperative for any relationship, including that of a business owner and its customers and clients. Stephanie L. McJury said the main thing is to provide clients with several ways to communicate, such as cell phone numbers, email addresses, and office numbers to key people at the company or small business.

Secondly, it is important to stay positive in the way that you handle situations with clients, even when there is some sort of problem that needs to be solved. It is important to always present a positive environment, so clients feel free to talk about the issues to help come up with a remedy. Stephanie L. McJury said you should also share knowledge on a regular basis with customers so they better understand the details that are needed to conduct your business and the reason why things are done a certain way.

Stephanie McJury said it is important to learn and understand the needs of your clients so you can meet them where they are to achieve success in your business endeavors. It is also important to be open-minded with your customers or clients so that you are more open to their ideas in suggestions which may be better than your original ideas in some cases. She said you should always remain human with your clients by giving a personal touch to everything you do for them or for your customers so they feel a stronger connection to you and your company.

It is extremely important to learn the needs of your clients or customers so that you can cater each project or product to those specific needs so that they can be fulfilled and your clients or customers will return to you for your service or products in the future.

Stephanie L. McJury also reminds company officials and business owners that clients come to you because of your expertise in a certain area through your services or products, so be sure to provide consistent messaging to your clients and customers on a regular basis, so you all stay on the same page.

She cannot stress enough that to succeed in business, you must be in tune with your clients or customers and their needs on a regular basis.

Andrew Binetter is a visionary businessman and company leader who has witnessed various business ideas come and go. Binetter earned a Bachelor of Marketing degree from New South Wales University in the late 1980s and a Master of Management degree from the same institution in 1997.

He enrolled in the academy’s Masters’s program a few years later, which was a collaborative academic initiative with the College of Sydney. Binetter’s academic training enhanced the mentoring and business skills he had already acquired, stylizing his voyage into a profitable venture. Here’s why Andrew Binetter is the best.

Best Known For

Andrew was the co-founder–and later CEO–of Nudie Foods Australia. He previously served as the Director of the Australian Fruit Juice Association. The entrepreneur is perhaps most known for his work in the organic beverage market, where he has established multiple profitable businesses. These jobs, as well as the many others he would hold throughout his distinguished career, provided a great opportunity for him to put his ingenuity and unique marketing strategy to good use.

Early Business Ventures

Binetter developed a keen interest in studying as a young professional. He began his career selling running shoes at a well-known Australian retailer. He gained excellent commercial and management expertise throughout his time there. Andrew’s contemporaries in the market recognised his abilities and predicted his triumph throughout his career.

His first business venture was Tamarama, a small 100 percent natural juices company that grew to become Australia’s largest juice producer and distributor. Tamaramaseverald several customers in the hotel and air travel gastronomy service sectors.

Breakthrough

He was one of the founders of nudie Foods Australia in the early 2000s, and from 2005 to 2007, he served as the company’s President. The company started relatively small but quickly grew in sales income and production, eventually earning international recognition in the form of two Australian Beverage Awards.

Investment managing roles

He took an investment management role with Whitlam Turnbull, an investment banking firm. He developed the ability to spot emerging foreign markets and purchase them for commercial investment purposes. Andrew began the real estate specialty in Auckland, where he quickly rose to the position of managing a number of large industrial land projects in the Sydney area.

Present Role

Andrew Benetter is a managing supervisor at a commercial producer of pre-cooked pasta and grain commodities for local eateries, in addition to his endeavors in the investment services market. He always expresses the vast knowledge that has helped him become a leadership legend whose achievements are recognised all over the world.

There are many skills that a leader needs, financial knowledge being one of them. According to Blazo Gjorev, financial knowledge contributes to a leader making smart choices in the workplace. Leaders with financial knowledge always analyze how certain decisions will impact the day-to-day running of the business. In addition, it promotes communication with stakeholders and makes leaders more competent and confident in their roles. Here is how financial knowledge makes one a better leader.

Good Use Of Resources

One of the challenges that businesses face is the scarcity of resources. That means making good use of the little that is available. Whether you want to invest in a simple printer or get into a new market, you need to build a business case. If you understand how cash flows through the business, you will easily show why that particular investment will bring in returns. For instance, if it is getting into a new market, what makes location A better than location B. Weighing options ensures that resources are put to the best possible use.

Easily Meet The Needs Of The Workers

Financially literate leaders will respond to and satisfy the needs of their employees using the available resources. Blazo Gjorev says that through in-depth financial knowledge and good budgeting techniques, a leader will know how to share resources equitably to meet the needs and goals of the workers.

Ability To Forecast

To determine the current worthiness of assets and projects, Blazo Gjorev says that one needs to examine how certain issues may change in the coming months or years. Financially savvy leaders aim to make decisions that benefit the company both in the short term and long term. They use the data available and assumptions to forecast outcomes. They will weigh the benefits and drawbacks of projects using various factors like existing earnings metrics to calculate whether the project will still be viable in the future.

Assess The Financial Health Of A Company

One of the advantages of financially literate leaders is that they understand financial statements. This is a much-needed skill as it allows one to make solid decisions. To evaluate how a department or business is doing, there are three financial statements that one needs to know how to read and interpret. That is the

• Balance sheet: A statement showing the financial position of a business at a particular time.
• Cash flow statement: A report showing how much cash the business has generated over a certain period.
• Income statement: A report summarizing the company’s earnings minus expenses over a particular time.

A leader that understands the data in these reports is in a better position to know the current financial position of the company.

Blazo Gjorev recommends all leaders work on their financial skills. The world is changing and it is not just enough to keep making decisions using the knowledge you had a few years ago, he adds, You also have to keep up with financial trends if you want to become a better leader.

Read books, attend seminars and listen to financial gurus. You will be in a better position to lead the company in the right direction.

Options are one of the most effective ways to diversify, and they can even help reduce risk. Hong Kong has had an excellent track record, and people may want to invest in it, but there’s more than just investing in the stock market. 

One type of investment people could put their money into is options, which give you the right to sell at a specific price for a set period, as long as they’re below that price during that time. It reduces unnecessary exposure to losses and gives you access to gains from other parts of the Hong Kong economy should prices rebound higher.

Options are an increasingly popular method of hedging risk for people living in Hong Kong. By using options, investors can protect their investments without selling their assets. Options contracts allow the purchaser the right but not the obligation to buy or sell an underlying asset at a later date at a previously agreed-upon price. This gives them downside protection if the market moves against them while retaining upside potential should things go well. 

Benefits of investing in options

There are many benefits to using these contracts, including higher potential for capital appreciation and limited downside. These options are not as susceptible to large fluctuations in the markets. They also allow you to participate in other areas within the economy should prices rebound higher.

Diversifying your investments in Hong Kong

Diversifying your investments can lessen risk and increase return potential. In the world of business, there are many options that you can choose from when it comes to diversifying your portfolio. Hong Kong stocks offer a great case study on how diversification through options can lower risk in trading strategies.

Hong Kong is a city rich with economic history and opportunities for growth. It has been heralded as one of the best economies in Asia, mainly because it does not have heavy exposure to China’s growing pains which have been widely publicized as problematic for both investors and companies alike within the country. 

An excellent way for investors to help expand their portfolios would be investing in Hong Kong stocks, as they provide you with an excellent opportunity for growth and access to better diversification options.

Put Options

One option that investors have when investing in Hong Kong stocks is the use of put options. Put options give investors who possess them the right, but not the obligation, to sell an asset later and at a pre-determined price called a strike price. 

If the underlying security falls below this strike price during the life of the contract, then holders can choose to exercise their rights to sell their shares at this pre-determined price, thus mitigating risk on the downside while still being able to participate in some upside should prices climb? 

There are many benefits to using these contracts, including higher potential for capital appreciation and limited downside. These options are not as susceptible to large fluctuations in the markets. They also allow you to participate in other areas within the economy should prices rebound higher.

In conclusion

Those who invest in Hong Kong stocks should consider adding put options into their portfolios as a means of diversification that includes risk mitigation by having a safety net against significant downturns. Not only will this help reduce some market exposure, but it also provides you with an opportunity to participate in other areas within the economy should prices rebound higher, thus allowing for more upside potential. New traders are advised to use an experienced and reputable online broker from Saxo capital markets and trade on a demo account and practise different trading strategies and build your trading confidence before investing real money.

In an era where almost everything is done online, it’s tempting to leave your money management to technology. And while apps and online banking have certainly made money management easier, they can’t fully take the place of thoughtful and purposeful budgeting, says business consultant Moshe Weisblum.

The best way to manage your finances is by finding a budget that fits your lifestyle. But how do you create a budget?

Money management isn’t as hard as it seems. We’ve gathered our top three best practices for budgeting in 2022. From creating a realistic plan, to studying your spending habits, these tips will help take the guesswork out of financial planning and give you peace of mind no matter what the economy does.

Create a Realistic Plan 

The first step to creating a budget is to create a realistic plan, says Moshe Weisblum. This should include your monthly expenses, your savings goals, and any unexpected expenses or income that you might have coming up. Your plan should be built around your income but should also account for emergencies and unforeseen events like an increase in rent or medical bills.

Spend Less Than You Make Advises Moshe Weisblum

One of the most important budgeting tips is to spend less than you make, advises Moshe Weisblum. This seems like a simple idea, but many people fall victim to lifestyle inflation and overspending.

Lifestyle inflation is when your spending habits increase to an unsustainable level. This happens when we suddenly get a raise or we start earning more money due to our hard work. The problem with this is that we aren’t just making more money; we’re also starting to change our lifestyle to accommodate for the increase in income. And this can result in spending the same percentage of your income as before, if not more!

The best way to combat lifestyle inflation is by creating a budget that reflects your current income and savings–not what you hope it will be someday down the road. It’s better to have a more limited budget with realistic expectations than a high-end budget with an unrealistic outlook on your future finances.

Study Your Spending Habits

Budgets aren’t one-size-fits-all, says Moshe Weisblum. You have to find a budgeting style that works for your lifestyle and savings goals. And remember, the best budget isn’t the most detailed or complicated one–it’s the budget you can actually stick to!

One of the best ways to create a budget is by tracking your spending habits. How much money do you spend on food? What about clothes? Housing? Take note of how much you spend on each category for a full month. Multiply that by twelve and you have your annual budget. 

This will give you a basic idea of how much money you have coming in, how much you need to live, and how much of it you’re spending extraneously. You may find that some things are costing more than they should, which can help you cut back on needless expenses. 

Even though it can feel tedious, taking the time to track your expenses will allow you to plan accordingly for the future. And once you see your trends, it may only take a few minutes once a week or so to stay on track. Understanding where your money goes will help ensure that you’re sending it in the right direction for your financial and savings goals!

Financial Advisor Darcy Bergen of the Bergen Financial Group recently discussed the importance of risk management and insurance planning in preparing for retirement.

A financial advisor assists clients in developing a strategy to build their wealth over the long term while decreasing financial risk. They are experts at providing a “game plan” to help clients reach their financial goals. Financial advisors can help with debt management, budgeting, health, and long-term care planning, retirement and inheritance planning, tax and investment planning as well as risk management and insurance planning. Darcy Bergen CRFA is the managing partner and founder of Bergen Financial Group bergenfinancialgroup.com and has over thirty years of experience in the financial services industry.

Darcy Bergen DarcyBergenLinkedIn is both a Licensed Fiduciary (a fiduciary is an individual that is certified to handle another individual’s financial and personal matters on behalf of that individual’s goals and not by commissions) and a Certified Retirement Financial Advisor (CRFA).

Darcy Bergen who grew up in Canada and moved to Phoenix in the summer of 2000 now operates Bergen Financial Group which has a staff of six and includes eight financial advisors. Darcy has just completed four years as the co-host with his wife Heather of a radio program about safe money and keeping income safe.

Darcy Bergen recently explained that especially in the current health and economic environment it is extremely important to recognize that one’s life can drastically change overnight. This is why Darcy emphasizes the importance of having adequate insurance coverage as well as the best type of asset protection game plans in case of unforeseen disasters such as sudden or premature death, accidents, lawsuits, or major natural disasters such as earthquakes or hurricanes.

Darcy Bergen said that people who are affluent have special insurance needs as they may need to insure such luxury items as large estates, large boats and planes, fine art, jewelry, employees in the home, and even insurance against the risk of extortion.  Oftentimes, the most competitive pricing and terms to accommodate the needs of a wealthy client may involve coordinating different types of insurance coverage with a number of different insurance brokers.

Financial advisors should have strong ties to many professionals in the insurance industry ensuring the most competitive pricing and terms while being sure to shield their client’s assets from all potential risks. They should make sure all personal and business insurance policies are coordinated with any work-related policies to ensure there are no gaps or redundancy in insurance coverage.

In addition, Darcy notes that financial advisors should coordinate all insurance policies with the estate plan that is in place and will also evaluate the titles of any assets to make sure that clients are protected in the event of a potential legal suit or claim. In addition, they will help to inform all involved family members of how these safeguards are structured to the benefit of the entire family money management. 

Darcy Bergen explains that asset protection often is a matter of forming trusts to shield assets from potential creditors. In addition, limited liability corporations can be formed and certain assets can be placed with a spouse to avoid potential judgments. He also says that there are specialized insurance policies that can become effective when a judgment is in excess of the insurance policy limits. In addition, Darcy goes on to say that a good financial advisor will ensure that whatever happens your family will be protected.  

Investment advisory and financial planning services offered through Simplicity Wealth, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Sub-advisory services are provided by Advisory Alpha, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor. Insurance, Consulting and Education services offered through Bergen Financial Group. Bergen Financial Group is a separate and unaffiliated entity from Simplicity Wealth and Advisory Alpha.