Financial Wellness

Navigating Life’s Major Financial Transitions: Tips and Strategies

Financial transitions are an integral part of everyone’s life. These transitions can be both planned and unexpected, but they all have the potential to significantly impact your financial situation before and through your retirement. Whether you’re starting a new job, opening or selling a small business, getting married, divorced, buying or selling a house, preparing for retirement or dealing with a family loss, it’s important to have a comprehensive financial plan in place.  In this article, we will discuss some tips and strategies that can help you navigate life’s major financial transitions.

Start with a Solid Financial Plan
The first and most important step in navigating life’s major financial transitions and challenges is to start with a comprehensive financial plan that can operate as a roadmap to your financial goals and objectives. By creating a financial plan, you will be able to set realistic financial goals and develop actionable steps to help achieve them while helping to avoid obstacles along the way.  The six Key areas of your holistic financial plan should include retirement, investment, tax, estate, insurance and cash flow planning and management.

Build an Emergency Fund
An emergency fund is part of cash flow management and is essential for any major financial transition before and through your retirement.  This fund should be large enough to cover at least three to six months’ worth of living expenses. By having an emergency fund, you will be able to weather unexpected financial setbacks (or market volatility through retirement)  without having to dip into your long-term investments, credit cards or employer retirement plans.

Don’t Rush into Major Purchases
One of the biggest mistakes that people make during major financial transitions is rushing into major purchases such as a new car, a new home, or a new business venture. While these purchases may seem like a good idea at the time, they can end up costing you a lot of money in the long run no matter what your age. Take your time and do your research before starting a business, entering retirement, or making any major purchases or commitments.

Keep Your Retirement Goals in Mind
Even during major financial transitions, it’s important to keep your retirement goals in mind. By prioritizing retirement savings, you can ensure that you will have enough money to retire comfortably. This means contributing to your retirement accounts regularly and taking advantage of any employer-sponsored retirement plans. Many small business owners delay starting a retirement plan and are missing out on crucial tax and savings advantages of having a savings plan along with providing greater liquidity and diversification outside of their business assets.

Be Prepared for Tax Implications
Major financial transitions can also have significant tax implications. For example, selling a home, stock, small business equity, or investment property can trigger short or long term capital gains tax along with Federal income taxes that should be reviewed up front with your financial team (CPA, advisor.)  Note also that withdrawing cash from an individual or employer retirement account early can result in significant penalties and income taxes. Make sure to understand the tax implications of any major financial decisions before you make it.

Seek Professional Help
Navigating life’s major financial transitions can be overwhelming, and it’s always a good idea to seek professional help. An accredited CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®) can provide you with valuable advice and help you make informed financial decisions that are tailored to your unique situation. Many people take more time to plan out a trip, vacation or night out for dinner, than planning out their financial life.

Stay Flexible
Finally, it’s important to stay flexible during major financial transitions. Life is unpredictable, and things don’t always go as planned. By staying flexible and adapting to changing circumstances, you can ensure that you are always making the best financial decisions for your situation. A financial plan is not a “one-time” static document, but an ongoing process that should be reviewed periodically throughout the year.

Navigating life’s major financial transitions requires careful planning, flexibility, and professional advice. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this article, you can ensure that you are making informed financial decisions that will help you achieve your long-term financial goals. With many people experiencing a retirement longer than their working years, planning with your trusted advisor to achieve and maintain financial security and wealth while looking out for your loved ones, can be as important as meeting periodically with your primary care physician for your health.

For more information on our firm or to request a complementary investment and retirement check-up with Jon W. Ulin, CFP®, please call us at (561) 210-7887 or email jon.ulin@ulinwealth.com.

Note: Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss. You cannot invest directly in an index. Information provided on tax and estate planning is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax or legal advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific situation with a qualified tax or legal advisor. You cannot invest directly in an index. Past performance is no guarantee of future returns. Diversification does not ensure a profit or guarantee against loss. All examples and charts shown are hypothetical used for illustrative purposes only and do not represent any actual investment.

The information given herein is taken from sources that IFP Advisors, LLC, dba Independent Financial Partners (IFP), and its advisors believe to be reliable, but it is not guaranteed by us as to accuracy or completeness. This is for informational purposes only and in no event should be construed as an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or products. Please consult your tax and/or legal advisor before implementing any tax and/or legal related strategies mentioned in this publication as IFP does not provide tax and/or legal advice. Opinions expressed are subject to change without notice and do not take into account the particular investment objectives, financial situation, or needs of individual investors.

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