Inside Your Wealth - March 2022
A Note from Marilyn and Ora
Celebrating Women’s History Month!
In March we celebrate International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month first observed in 1911. The goal is to highlight and recognize women’s achievements in all spheres, and to bring attention to important issues such as gender discrimination that continue to exist. We celebrate this month to recognize women’s social, economic, cultural, and political achievements.
The 2022 Women’s Day theme is “gender equality today for a sustainable tomorrow.” Advancing gender equality during climate crisis and disaster risk reduction efforts is a significant challenge. Women are increasingly being recognized as more vulnerable to climate change impacts than men, while being the majority of the world’s poor and more dependent on the natural resources which climate change threatens most.
We know the immense value of our women clients and wish to honor your contributions to your community and your families. On March 8th, on Women’s History Month, and everyday, we celebrate and salute you!
Best wishes, Marilyn and Ora
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I have a had a lot of time to think about my lifestyle and my Financial House these past 22+ months. While I am grateful to be healthy and thriving despite this pandemic, I want to be as sure that I am taking my key steps that support my ideal lifestyle now and in the future. You can call these 2022 New Year’s resolutions. Ready, set go… and stay tuned for more next month.
1. Check in on Your Investments
Whether you are new to investing or an experienced investor, make sure to check on your allocations and individual holdings to see if your investments align with your risk profile. Investment portfolios often range from being conservative to highly aggressive. Where you fall on that spectrum depends on how comfortable you are with risk and uncertainty. It’s important to ensure that your portfolio risk will align with goals and that you’re comfortable with both gains and potential losses.
Know thyself is a key rule in investing because markets can be volatile (as shown in the past fourth quarter). There are many tools available for starters or seasoned investors. We recommend using Riskalyze, which is what we use to assess our client's view of risk. You may access this free tool here: https://www.diamondgroupwealthadvisors.com/riskalyze
You can start your own investment account to learn how the markets and the economy work. Use online tools to garner advice and analytic data of different market forces. This is a great way for newer, younger investors to learn and build confidence. With interest rates ever dropping on traditional savings accounts, investing is the way to save moving into the future.
2. Set-up Your Financial Plan
Planning takes time and energy. We tend to plan for ultimate success, but experience shows us that we all should have a backup plan in case life throws us curve balls. It is important to have an estate plan that details what assets you own and how you wish to take care of your Financial House, should something happen to you. This could include potential disabilities, a critical illness, or your passing. You have worked hard to build your Financial House so take action to preserve it for you and your loved ones. Your wealth manager, your CPA, and your estate planning attorney can collaborate to support you on this journey. Our Prosperity BlueprintTM process focuses on not only retirement readiness but also your overall health of your Financial House. It checks that your Financial House is in good order and verifies that it will it serve you in the future as you take the next steps on your life’s journey.
The second part of your Prosperity Blueprint should consider “what happens when I am not here.” While most of us do not feel like talking or considering our mortality, we have all experienced the loss of a loved one. This suggestion is especially important if you have not considered legacy planning, or if you’ve experienced a major life change recently, like a divorce, loss of a parent or other beloved family member, or family move. Or, on a happier note, taking care of the birth of your first child, or a recent marriage. Make sure that your assets are secure for those you love and take the steps to ensure their futures.
What Would You Do to Stretch Your
Retirement Savings?
Just some 25 years ago, young professionals could have bought homes for $500,000 or less. Today, young professionals may have to live at home with their parents because they can’t afford the same house that now costs upwards of $1.5 million. The housing market is the perfect example of why many young people can no longer afford the things their parents once could and shows how different both living and retiring will be for the next generation. Every young professional should begin planning for retirement ( post full time work) as soon as they’re able. This includes taking Social Security payments, pensions, and retirement savings into account when budgeting. With the modern disappearance of pensions as well as lengthening life spans, extra income in retirement is necessary. This can come in many forms including setting up a secondary source of income such as a part-time job consulting or a business based on a passion/talent. Either of these will help keep your bank account and 401(k)/IRA growing, allowing your money to stretch even more over the years.
It may be an illusion of leaving the workforce at 50 to travel and spend time with family because many people today are often working well into their 60’s and 70’s, because they enjoy their work or they are following a passion and purpose that pays.. An upside to the prolonged working life is the increased flexibility and control. If a retiree does not enjoy their job, it’s easy enough to quit and take on a new job. As we age past the ‘typical’ retirement age of 60-65, the expectation of prestige lessens, and retirees are free to work on what
they enjoy, when they desire. Even an entry level part-time job will help you keep your financial accounts afloat and add to the amount being saved and compounded through your differing investment accounts.
The retirement decision is not as easy as it once was. It’s definitely more expensive and more complicated than 50 years ago. For these reasons, young professionals need to start investing as soon as possible to both make the most of their income and investments and stretch their results for as long as possible. Be savvy about your decision-making and use of your income as you take your steps on your career and life’s journey.
The Affluent Investor
The Affluent Investor Are Poised For A Comeback In 2022
High net worth investors face investment challenges that some would
consider unique to their financial status.
The fundamental tenets of investing apply equally to them as with any other investor, but the affluent investor needs to be mindful of issues that typically arise only from substantial wealth. Let’s examine a few of these:
Being Too Conservative
When an individual has more assets than they think they’ll ever spend, there can be a tendency toward conservative investment. This may result in lower long-term returns that may shortchange the impact of bequests to charities or the wealth that will transfer to the next generation.
Collectibles
The affluent have a tendency to invest in their passions, and many collectibles have performed well over the years. However, one common mistake is not keeping up-to-date appraisals on record, which may have adverse consequences with regard to estate liquidity and taxes.1
Concentrated Equity
Some senior executives accumulate large stock positions in the company that employs them.2 This creates a unique risk and potentially can be managed in several ways.
DIY Mentality
Some wealthy investors have achieved a high level of success in their careers, in large measure due to their intelligence, hard work, and self-confidence. This very success often carries over to the belief that building or managing successful enterprises is not dissimilar to managing great wealth. But it can be quite different, requiring a whole different body of knowledge and experience.
Too Many Professionals
Affluent investors often place their investment assets with multiple professionals, thinking that better
results will arise from that. However, many of the key needs for larger portfolios, such as risk management and tax efficiency, will suffer since there is no overarching view into the larger picture of an individual’s entire portfolio. The independent actions by separate professionals, all with the best of intentions, may actually work to suboptimal outcomes.
With increasing wealth come even more unique challenges beyond those covered by this discussion. Consequently, affluent investors are encouraged to seek professional guidance that may be best suited for their particular needs and circumstances.
Sources:
1. The value of collectibles can be significantly affected by a variety of factors, including economic downturns or markets that have little or no liquidity. There is no guarantee that collectibles will maintain their value or purchasing power in the future.
2. Keep in mind that the return and principal value of stock prices will fluctuate as market conditions change. And shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost.
Loss
As Featured in Plaid for Women
Grief and loss, two of the naturally most feared emotions we can experience. When it comes down to it, people will go to great lengths to escape these feelings and avoid drowning in them. Often times, these feelings are crushing and overwhelming, and it can seem impossible to escape the shock, sadness, anger, disbelief, or guilt that bubbles to the surface after a loss. Coping with these feelings is a lifelong struggle that often requires adjustment to adapt to the loss you’ve suffered.
One of the most important things to remember about grief is that it’s a personalized experience. There is no “right” way to grieve or a “normal” amount of time one should grieve for a loss. It’s important to have patience with yourself and patience for those around you going through this process. Despite the personalization of this process, there are some things that are universally considered healthy throughout the grieving process:
- Acknowledge and accept your pain – Trying to ignore or hide your pain won’t help lessen it, it’ll only make things worse over time. You must face your feelings and try to understand the flood of emotions to accept it and try to work towards moving forward.
- Be patient with yourself and surfacing emotions – Grief can often trigger a cascade of unexpected emotions. Try to keep in mind that these feelings are just as valid as your feelings of sadness and loss. Be patient with the influx of these emotions, give yourself as much time as you need, and don’t feel pressure to act “strong” when faced with a loss. Letting out your emotions is a healthy way to cope.
- Take care of your physical health – There is a direct connection between the health of your mind and body. Support yourself emotionally by staying physically healthy and getting enough sleep and exercise. Even if it seems impossible, doing your best to avoid added stress and worry can greatly help with your emotional coping.
- Don’t be afraid to lean on those around you – People who love you are there if you need it. Seek out support from others, don’t isolate yourself from those who care.
There are many outlets for support when it comes to dealing with a loss. Friends and family members will always be there to support the people they love through difficult times. Many times, people don’t know how to help, so let those around you know what you need or expect from them. Give them the opportunity to support you. If you believe in a religion or faith, spiritual activities and others in your community can be a source of strength during your healing process. There are also numerous support groups, therapists, and grief counsellors you can join or visit to help you confront your feelings and accept what has happened. There is no right way to grieve just as there is no right way to process your loss, but there are ways which are healthier than others.
Remember: you don’t have to accept your loss or work through your grief on your own. People are out there who want to help and support you through this process, you just have to give them the chance.
The 2022 Women’s History theme, “Providing Healing, Promoting Hope,” is both a tribute to the ceaseless work of caregivers and frontline workers during this ongoing pandemic and also a recognition of the thousands of ways that women of all cultures have provided both healing and hope throughout history. Women as healers harken back to ancient times. Healing is the personal experience of transcending suffering and transforming it to wholeness. The gift of hope spreads light to the lives of others and reflects a belief in the unlimited possibilities of this and future generations.
Together, healing and hope are essential fuels for our dreams and our recovery. Please consider honoring the women in your community that provide healing and promote hope. The 2022 theme proudly honors those who, in both public and private life, provide healing and promote hope for the betterment of all.
Mimosa Cake Recipe - Celebrating Women's Day
By: Mamablip
A fun Mimosa dessert recipe to prepare with younger cooking assistants, this traditional Italian Mimosa cake will be a wonderful tradition to bring into your own kitchens as you celebrate all the women in your world.
The Mimosa flower is traditionally presented to women in Italy on March 8th, as the Mimosa flower represents both strength and femininity, with a bright yellow tint to chase away any winter blues that might be loitering around.
30 total time (min) | 60 cooking time (min.) | 9 ingredients | 370 kCal
3 steps to complete the preparation
Mimosa Cake Ingredients
Sugar (Granulated) 1.5 cup
Extra-virgin olive oil 0.2 cup
Egg 2
Vanilla 2 tea spoon
All-purpose flour 2 cup
Baking powder 2 tea spoon
Salt 0.5 tea spoon
Orange Zest 1
Champagne (or Prosecco) 0.5 cup
Step 1
Prepare the Mimosa Cake Base
Preheat oven to 350°F.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sugar, vegetable oil, eggs, and vanilla extract.
Beat on medium speed until the eggs and oil are well incorporated and the batter is lighter in color, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the bowl as needed.
Add half the flour followed by the baking powder, salt and buttermilk.
Beat on low speed until the flour starts to incorporate.
Finally add the remaining flour, mixing on low speed while during in the champagne and beating until all of the ingredients are well combined.
Use a spatula to scrape down the sides of the bowl and stir the batter from the bottom to the top to ensure it’s well mixed.
Step 2
Bake the Mimosa Cake
Pour the batter in two 9-inch round baking pans lined with a baking mat and bake at 350°F for 18-22 minutes, keeping a careful eye on the baking during the last few minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
Test the cake for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the cake. If the toothpick comes out clean, your cake is done.
Step 3
Complete the Dish
Allow the cake to cool for approximately 10 minutes and remove cake from the pan.
Repeat the above steps to make the next 2 layers.
...Great Italian Goddies!