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Securing Your Future: The Importance of Life Insurance

Life is a beautiful journey filled with precious moments and cherished memories. However, it is essential to prepare for the unexpected and ensure the well-being of your loved ones even when you are no longer around. That is where life insurance becomes an invaluable tool. Life insurance provides a safety net for your family and offers peace of mind by ensuring their financial security in the event of your untimely demise. In this blog post, we will explore how Savage can help you navigate the world of life insurance, providing comprehensive solutions to protect your family’s financial future.

1. Customized Coverage to Meet Your Needs:
At Savage, we understand that every individual and family has unique requirements. Our team of experienced professionals will work closely with you to assess your specific needs and goals. Whether you are looking for term life insurance to cover a specific period or permanent life insurance that offers lifelong protection, we’ll tailor a policy that aligns with your circumstances, budget, and long-term objectives.

2. Comprehensive Financial Protection:
If you are the primary breadwinner in your family, your sudden absence could leave your dependents in a challenging financial situation. Life insurance can bridge this gap by providing a steady income stream to replace the earnings they relied upon. The death benefit, paid out by the policy, can assist your family in covering funeral expenses, outstanding debts, mortgage payments, and day-to-day living costs. It ensures that your loved ones can maintain their quality of life during a difficult transition.

3. Expert Guidance and Education:
Navigating the world of life insurance can be overwhelming, with various policy options and technical jargon to decipher. Savage takes pride in offering personalized guidance and education throughout the process. Our team will patiently explain the different types of policies, their benefits, and any associated riders or add-ons, empowering you to make informed decisions about your coverage. We believe that by understanding the nuances of life insurance, you can select the most suitable policy for your needs.

4. Flexibility and Adaptability:
Life is dynamic, and your insurance needs may change over time. At Savage we recognize the importance of adaptability. If your circumstances evolve, such as starting a family, purchasing a home, or retiring, we can review your policy and recommend adjustments to ensure your coverage remains relevant. We are committed to building lasting relationships with our clients, providing ongoing support and maintaining open lines of communication to address any changes or concerns.

5. A Partner in Financial Security:
Choosing Savage means partnering with a trusted ally dedicated to your financial security. Our team takes the time to understand your financial goals beyond life insurance, considering your comprehensive financial plan. We can help you explore additional strategies, such as retirement planning, investment options, and wealth preservation, to create a well-rounded approach that safeguards your family’s future and builds a legacy.

Life insurance is an essential component of a comprehensive financial plan, offering peace of mind and protecting your loved ones from unforeseen circumstances. Savage strives to be your trusted partner, guiding you through the intricacies of life insurance and providing tailored solutions that align with your unique needs and aspirations. With our expertise, personalized service, and commitment to your financial security, you can confidently embrace the future, knowing that your loved ones will be protected no matter what lies ahead. Contact a Savage advisor today to embark on your journey toward a secure future.

 

To learn more, check out our Life Insurance page: https://savageandassociates.com/life-insurance/

Savage’s Frisch named to national advisory board

Curtis Frisch

Curtis Frisch, ChFC®, CFP®, Savage, has been named to the NextGen Advisory Board of the wealth management firm, Osaic Wealth. The 12-person board functions as a forum for financial professionals under age 45 to foster communication, strengthen relationships, solicit feedback, and advance the next generation by offering unique perspectives on industry trends through webinars, online networking, white papers, and more.

“We are thrilled Curtis was selected to this highly-impressive group of young professionals,” stated Russ Karban, ChFC®, CFP®, AIF®, vice president and managing executive, Savage and Associates. “He has outstanding knowledge and forward thinking, which will lend very well to the board.”

Osaic Wealth is part of Advisor Group, one of the largest networks of independent wealth management firms in the nation.

Located in Savage’s Findlay, Ohio, office location, Frisch has a Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences from Bowling Green State University. He and his wife, Breanna, have two sons, Harrison and Miles.

What can a pro do?

In the new age of trading apps and stock conversations on social media, more and more people are getting involved in the world of personal finance. As this change happens, we are currently in one of the largest wealth transfers in history with the aging of the baby boomers. Throughout all of this, young people are put in a place where they have a big financial situation to deal with, and many feel they can do this alone. So, this month, I am going to talk about the benefits of having a financial professional in your corner.

Using a professional, on a very surface level, gives you a sounding board for ideas and plans, goals, fears, and dreams in life. Financial professionals have seen many different situations, and have the ability to create plans and ideas to help their clients reach those goals and dreams down the road. If nothing else, a professional is a person well versed in topics like retirement planning, insurance planning, wealth management, social security, and many others. Most even have connections to estate planning attorneys, CPA’s, and mortgage lenders to ensure their clients are covered in all the major areas of personal finance.

Beyond that, they are very rigorously tested. They have the title “professional” for a reason, because it takes an extensive amount of education, training, knowledge and skill to manage investments and insurance planning. There are separate examinations for insurance and investments, and numerous different designations. Each professional that holds these licenses is required to continue their education on an ongoing basis to stay up to date on new laws and regulations, because they are always changing.

Next, life is always a moving target. So is your financial picture. There isn’t ever a one-size-fits -all approach to planning, as each person is different. So, even if you are not ready to start investing thousands of dollars right away, it is good to have a relationship with someone who can give you ideas about saving, debt repayment, and other basics.

Finally, they can provide an increase in your level of confidence. Many do not have the time or desire to manage their investment portfolio or create their own financial plan. It can be very comforting knowing you have someone working in your best interests, and making sure you are sticking to the plan. Having that sense of security and accountability allows for clients to feel cared for.

Each professional is going to be different. For me, I focus on the relationship. I am there whenever a client has a question or needs help, and when going through all of life’s stages, from college to career, family, and retirement. It is paramount to build a foundation of trust and honesty, because when it comes to money, there is no other way.

Send me an email, or give me a call. A video call works too. Absolutely no cost on your end, just your time. Let’s chat!

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 419-725-7358

The information in this commentary is intended for informational purposes only, and is not intended to imply a recommendation of any products or securities mentioned. Please note that individual situations can vary and you are encouraged to seek such advice from your financial advisor.

New Year, New You: Personal Finance Edition

Welcome! My name is Andrew Smigelski, and I help people navigate the world of personal finances! This is a topic that can be very scary for some, but I help my clients make complete and holistic plans so that they can feel more confident moving forward. This is installment one of many future blog posts, about different topics and seasons for the personal finance community. The goal is to educate my readers on topics they are unsure about, or maybe have never heard of before. To start off in 2021, I am going to cover, Five Steps to Get Ahead in 2021.

1. Review 2020: I know, I know. None of us want to remember the year of the pandemic. But there is value in knowing how you did financially in 2020, especially given the circumstances. Take some time to review: How much did you spend on groceries, gas, utilities, phone bill, mortgage/rent, etc. How much did you make? Did you switch jobs? I know it seems silly, but physically writing down and going through where your money goes every month is the first step to financial independence. Once the budget analyzed, that leads to number two….

Andrew Smigelski2. Cut out unnecessary spending: Again, I know, you have heard this all before, right? The reality is, not everyone is honest with their expenses. However, most of us are guilty of this from time to time. I know I picked up some unnecessary things in quarantine – maybe an extra streaming service, more DoorDash, and a LOT more golf, but these are the things that ultimately ruin your budget, because they slip through the cracks. Be quick to catch on to the fact that the key to all of this is discipline.

3. Create a good habit: The old cliché … it takes 21 days of doing something for it to become a habit. Use the month of January. For some reason, saving money for the common American, is one of the bigger struggles. It doesn’t matter the amount you save every month or pay period, what matters is the commitment to do it, and keep doing it. The problem is we start doing something, but then will quit not long after, because we don’t think that it is worth it anymore or making much of a difference.

4. Make your money work for you: Shocking, right? Somebody who works in personal finance talking about investing money! But again, even with as much buzz and talk about this industry that has happened since the start of the pandemic, people aren’t doing it. And before you ask, investing enough money in Robinhood to buy one share of Tesla does not count. This ties into #3, take advantage of compound interest while you can. My favorite is the Roth IRA as a retirement vehicle, because of the tax treatment in retirement. Using some of the money you save every month to make more money… sounds like an ideal scenario to me. It may not be that easy, but starting early and being dedicated to the process can yield some incredible results.

5. Do something you enjoy: Let’s be real, 2020 took a toll on all of us and affected us in different ways. Find something that you love to do, and do it! Doing so could reduce your stress level! For me, 2020 was the year of golf. It is a never-ending quest to fix my swing, and score a little better than the week before. Set some time aside for yourself — you deserve it!

And there it is. I appreciate you making it this far. In all seriousness, the world of personal finance is not an easy one to understand. It can help to sit with someone and just talk through these things, and that is why I am here. Send me an email, or give me a call. A video call works too. Absolutely no cost on your end, just your time. Let’s chat!

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 419-725-7358

The information in this commentary is intended for informational purposes only, and is not intended to imply a recommendation of any products or securities mentioned. Please note that individual situations can vary and you are encouraged to seek such advice from your financial advisor.

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.

New Year’s Financial Resolutions: Don’t Forget These Three Things!

As 2020 is coming to an end (thank goodness!), many of us are brainstorming resolutions for the upcoming year. Whether it is focused on budgeting, savings, investments, or insurance, finances often make the list. I fully support reviewing your financial plan to prepare for the year ahead!

Below, I tell you how I personally review my finances each December. I include examples of my personal situation but please apply this to your year, your goals, and your plan because that’s what you’ll ultimately be steering. Happy 2021 planning!

First, let’s review your budget. My husband and fellow financial advisor, Nick, and I review our budget once a year at the end of the calendar year. This month, we’ll have some budget shifting to do because there are numerous factors that both increased and cut costs.

A few months ago, Nick and I started a one car challenge. I am proud to report that it has been an awesome experience and we are going to continue it into the New Year! This challenge eliminated our car payment and lowered our car insurance and gas cost. Other cuts in our budget included my cancelled $125/month membership at a boutique gym and decreased dining out costs. We’ve been focusing the last few months on eating more meals at home. We’re hoping to continue refining our cooking skills into 2021! Cookbooks are welcomed as Christmas gifts. 😊

The next step is to factor in what we have added in the past year. Nick and I doubled our mortgage payment each month. Only five more years until it’s paid off. Woohoo! I also started a weekly membership at Spray Tan Bar in Perrysburg, Ohio. (If you’re local to northwest Ohio, I highly recommend seeing Jordan!)

Now that our expenses are updated, we can move on.

Second, let’s revisit savings and investments. If you read my blog post about savings, you know that Nick and I save $416.67 per month so that our savings increase by $5,000 annually. We decided our bank has reached an amount that we are comfortable with so rather than putting this money into savings, we increased our monthly contributions into our non-retirement investment account. We already max out our Roth IRAs, so we don’t need to adjust anything there. With the increased discretionary income from the one car challenge, we also add money to our non-retirement investment account periodically. Our bank account is linked to our investment account so anytime I want to add more money, I can easily do so!

With those tweaks to savings and investments, we can jump into the final category.

Finally, let’s take a look at insurance. For health insurance, our premium increases each year due to our age, so we will factor the new price into our budget. We will also factor in our existing and new life insurance policies. A few years ago, Nick and I both got LIRPS (life insurance retirement plans), which are permanent policies that build cash. Given our businesses and income have grown each year, we wouldn’t want our lifestyle to change if something happened to either of us, and we’re the healthiest we may ever be, so we decided to get more life insurance. Life insurance pricing is based on health so getting a policy at a young age often leads to the lowest possible price. This additional life insurance means that I’ll need to revisit the first step to finalize our budget and therefore, round out our 2021 financial goals! It also means that Nick better act sad at my funeral.

That’s it! This annual family meeting of ours takes less than an hour and with a solid plan, we are excited to go into the New Year! Tweaking our budget, getting clear on how much we are saving and where we are saving to, and making sure we have the proper amount of insurance in place will set us up for a new year without financial worries. We believe all people can be excited about their financial situation too with proper planning.

At annual review meetings with my clients, we review these same three areas: bank, investments, and insurance. Like my meeting with Nick at our kitchen table, my client meetings last about an hour. If you want to do this family meeting with me so I can provide guidance, I am happy to do so! My contact information is available at my webpage: https://savageandassociates.com/megan-savage-rightnowar.

Cheers to the New Year! May it be filled with many blessings for you and your family!

Savage and Associates
Direct: 419.725.7201 | Office: 419.475.8665
655 Beaver Creek Circle Maumee, OH 43537

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.

Here’s how much to keep in savings

“How much should I/we keep in my/our savings account?”

This is a common question I get when I first sit down with an individual or couple.

You may be familiar with the rule of thumb answer: 3-6 months of living expenses. That makes sense! If you lose your job or your spouse gets transferred to a new state, those funds will serve as a cushion until you find a new position.

Your savings account will allow you to keep all of your subscriptions and avoid ramen noodles every night for dinner.

If you are looking for the short answer, the paragraph above is a great start. However, everyone’s financial situation is different, so if you want to hear what I actually tell my clients, keep reading.

For young people just getting started, I encourage them to save $10,000 in the bank as fast as they can. For some, this will only take a few months and for others, a few years. This amount is attainable when considering what young, single people do with their money.

There shouldn’t be an emergency or fun opportunity such as a friend’s wedding that will deplete the $10,000 in one swoop.

Once achieving $10,000, I recommend clients find their own comfort level. This amount totally depends on the person. For some, they feel confident with $10,000 in their bank.

Other clients prefer $100,000 and can’t sleep at night if that number drops to five digits. Being comfortable and secure in your bank puts you in a better position to optimize other areas of your financial plan. (Personally, I’m a big fan of cash and the flexibility it provides.)

The next question that often follows is about how to allocate the dollars that are above and beyond a comfort level: “Megan, I’ve surpassed $10,000. If I see it in my bank, I’ll spend it. What do we do now?”

If you read my budgeting blog post (click here), you can do what my husband and fellow financial advisor, Nick, does. We put $416.67 a month toward savings. That odd amount adds up to $5,000 a year. Once our savings rose to $25,000, we opened a savings account that earns more than our day-to-day savings.

We called our new bank and they did all of it electronically. We have no cards attached to this account so if we really want the money, we must physically walk into one of their branch locations and make a withdrawal. I don’t even know where their closest branch is to us so you can be assured that this strategy to never touch this account works! I am not worried that I will tap into those savings unless there is truly an emergency. Only then will I look at their website’s branch locator. 😊

The second thing we did once we achieved $25,000 in savings was to increase our monthly contributions to our non-retirement investment account, rather than a savings account. In addition, anytime our bank accounts at our primary bank (our day-to-day bank) get higher than our comfort level, we will do additional deposits into our investment account.

A lot of my clients do this too! They have their bank account linked to their investment account so that anytime they want to make contributions to their investments, they simply give me a call. Conversely, if they need money for something, I can sell the security, and send cash to their bank.

Here’s the last scenario that my clients inquire about: “Megan, I don’t want to leave extra money in my savings account, but I also plan on using that money for something that will take place in the near future. What do I do?”

If you haven’t been able to tell by now, I use myself as an example so my clients know that the advice I give I apply to my own finances!

To answer the question, I put the money I’ll want in the near future in my non-retirement investment account and, specifically, into a fund that would be considered a money market or a money market alternative. I call this my future house money.

For my clients, they may call it future pool, future boujee vacation, future cottage, etc. It’s simply money they don’t need now but will when the opportunity presents itself.

The goal is to not lose money but earn more than a savings account at a bank. If a clients’ goals change and they won’t need the money as soon as they thought, we can turn the dial to make the investments more aggressive. Thankfully, we adapt with clients as their lives change!

If you had any of the questions above, I’m glad you sought out answers to how much you should keep in savings, what to do next and how to optimally plan for future and larger expenses.

Everyone’s comfort level and financial situation is different so I want to leave you with one last piece of advice: never compare your finances to others but rather, find what is right for you.

Want to talk about your specific situation and comfort level? I’m happy to talk! My contact information is available at my webpage: https://savageandassociates.com/megan-savage-rightnowar

Savage and Associates
Direct: 419.725.7201 | Office: 419.475.8665
655 Beaver Creek Circle Maumee, OH 43537

Securities and investment advisory services offered through Osaic Wealth, Inc., member FINRA/SIPC. Osaic Wealth is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of Osaic Wealth.

Six benefits to starting your financial planning now

Last month, I posted a picture on Instagram with a cake to celebrate my company’s 5th birthday. I had planned to write a blog post to go along with it but due to the coronavirus, my world has been pretty crazy. Instead of blogging, I’ve been doing a lot of tax loss harvesting and taking on new clients who wanted to take advantage of the downturn in the market.

However, this long holiday weekend (happy belated Fourth of July!) brought some time to reflect on these past five years. While year one looks vastly different than today, one question from clients has remained the same: “Megan, how come they don’t teach this in school?”

What follows that comment is often the client’s regret of wishing they had started their planning earlier in life. While we do our very best to set a client of any age up for retirement success, this is why I love meeting with young individuals/couples. A bonus is that our similarity in age means that we usually become friends and I love new friends. I also have a single younger sister, so I am on the hunt to find her a man … kidding … (maybe)!

Coming from my five years of experience with clients who started their financial planning at an earlier age as well as the alternative, the former has benefits of:

  • seeing their investments grow over a longer period of time with compounding returns,
  • having a higher risk tolerance and therefore, possibly greater returns,
  • potentially getting better life insurance rates before they may face possible medical issues,
  • knowing exactly what to do when their employer offers them a 401(k), Simple IRA, health insurance plans, etc.,
  • feeling confident with their day-to-day budget right out of the gate, knowing that they are setting themselves up for short and long-term success,
  • creating flexibility and control with their future retirement (e.g., a few clients I work with are projected to retire early).

I’m sure I will continue getting the question, “Why don’t they teach this in school?” for the next five years or more. Either way, what matters is that people understand why they should begin financial planning early on. I always joke, “No one has ever said I’m intimidating!” and make it clear that I don’t bill for my time.

If you’d like to not wait a day longer to kick off your financial plan or get a second opinion, don’t hesitate to reach out using the contact information at my page. It’s important that you work with someone who you like and trust. I may not always have birthday cake, but my door is always open!

What are catch-up contributions, and should you be making them?

Man review finances on tablet

Man reviewing finances on tablet

If you’re among the millions of Americans putting money into a workplace retirement plan, you probably know that IRS rules limit annual tax-deferred contribution amounts. For example, 401(k) and 403(b) participants can set aside a maximum of $19,500 in income on a tax-deferred basis in 2020. But if you’re age 50 or older, you could be eligible to contribute amounts that exceed the standard IRS limitations.

Catch-up contributions, as the name implies, allow workers to save more tax-deferred income as they get closer to traditional retirement age. Allowable catch-up amounts vary depending on the type of retirement plan. For our 401(k) or 403(b) example, the catch-up amount is $6,500 in 2020.

Catch-up contributions only extend the amounts workers can contribute to their plans each year. They do not increase employer-match limits.

The IRS updates annual contribution limits each year—including catch-up contribution amounts—for each type of retirement plan. A professional financial advisor can explain the rules that apply to your specific account to you.

Should you get in on this?

If you’re 50 or over and looking to grow tax-deferred savings for retirement, and you already max out your plan’s limits each year, making catch-up contributions might be right for you.

On the other hand, if a large portion of your retirement savings is in tax-deferred dollars, you could be facing a sizable income-tax burden when you retire and begin taking plan distributions. In that case, there might be better retirement savings options for you than increasing your tax-deferred contributions.

Because everyone’s financial needs and objectives are unique, we can’t over-stress the importance of consulting a trained financial advisor when planning for retirement. A qualified professional can help forecast whether you’re saving enough for the retirement lifestyle you want—and help you determine if you have any “catching up” to do.

Talk to Steve


Prepared by The Creative Block, Inc. Copyright 2020.
The Creative Block, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, legal, or retirement advice or recommendations. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances.
To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.
These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Are you ahead of the pack?

Man out for a jog

Do you ever wonder whether you’re doing enough to plan for retirement?

Man out for a jog
Do you question, from a savings perspective, whether you’re on track to retire when you hope to? Have you thought about how much retirement savings you should have at this point in your life?

If those questions sound familiar, you’re not alone. Clients often ask how their current financial situations compare to others in their age groups. The national statistics might shock you.

According to the nonprofit think tank Economic Policy Institute, nearly half of working-age families lack any retirement savings at all. Zero. That means whatever amount you’ve accumulated puts you further ahead than many people. Unfortunately, most individuals who do have retirement savings accounts are significantly behind where they need to be to retire comfortably.

Retirement Savings by Age Group

Looking at typical retirement accounts—for only those who have one—helps provide a perspective on how your savings compare to your age-group cohorts.

The following table uses data from the Federal Reserve to show both average and median retirement account balances by various age groups. NOTE: The material is provided for informational purposes only and not intended as investment advice.

Age Group
Average Retirement Account
Median Retirement Account
Under age 35
$32,500
$12,300
Age 35 – 44
$100,000
$37,000
Age 45 – 54
$215,800
$82,600
Age 55 – 64
$374,000
$120,000
Age 65 – 74
$358,000
$126,000
Dollar amounts rounded to nearest hundred.

What’s Your Plan?

Now that you know how you stack up to others when it comes to saving for retirement, it’s time to consider more relevant questions. First, how much income will you need in retirement? And second, what steps should you be taking toward reaching your retirement savings goals?

Every person’s situation is unique, of course. That’s why it’s helpful to work with a professional financial advisor when planning for retirement. A trained advisor can help project the retirement income you’ll need to enjoy life the way you want. And with that knowledge, your advisor will work with you to develop and execute a comprehensive retirement savings plan.

Talk to Steve


Prepared by The Creative Block, Inc. Copyright 2020.
The Creative Block, Inc. does not provide investment, tax, legal, or retirement advice or recommendations. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances.
To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.
These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable—we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.

Savage and Associates adds three advisors

Savage and Associates announced the addition of three advisors to its team, bringing the total number of associates to its highest level in company history:

  • Craig Bruning, financial professional
  • Julie Fullerton*, benefits advisor
  • Joshua Holzemer, employee benefits consultant

“More than ever, Savage has the resources to service clients to a wider area and through a larger scope with the addition of Craig, Julie and Joshua,” stated J.R. Toland, president and CEO, Savage and Associates. “They each have a unique skill set and expertise that will provide great value to our clients.”

As part of his responsibilities, Bruning will assist clients in a holistic way through investments, risk management, and group health. Fullerton has more than 15 years of experience in health insurance, specializing in Medicare supplements and individual health insurance. Joining his father’s practice, Holzemer will primarily focus on employee benefits, in addition to offering investment services and individual strategies.

Founded in 1957, Savage is a full-service financial, insurance, and group benefits services firm partnering with clients across the nation.

(* Julie Fullerton is not affiliated with Osaic Wealth, Inc.)
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