Timothy J. Pagliara

A well-diversified portfolio is essential for any investor to achieve their goals. As an individual, you must know how to allocate your assets to meet your goals and risk tolerance. Having a well-designed strategy can help you avoid unexpected expenses and ensure that your investments are well-positioned for the long run.

Step 1. Determine Your Asset Allocation

Before you start building a portfolio, you must clearly understand your goals and financial situation. Some of the most common factors affecting a person’s investment strategy are their age, income needs, and the amount of available capital. For instance, an unmarried 22-year-old college graduate may need a different approach than a 55-year-old who plans on retiring in ten years.

If you’re not willing to risk losing money, then your investments might not be able to provide you with the high returns you’re looking for. Having a good understanding of these factors will help you determine how you should allocate your investments.

Another important factor you should consider when building a portfolio is the risk/return tradeoff. For instance, if you’re planning on having a relatively stable lifestyle and are not planning on relying on your investments for income, then you might want to take more significant risks. On the other hand, if you’re planning on having a more tax-efficient retirement, you might want to focus on protecting your assets.

Step 2. Achieving Your Portfolio

Once you have determined the appropriate asset allocation, you must divide your capital into two equal parts. For instance, you should allocate your money between bonds and equities. You can also break down the various asset classes into subclasses to better understand each class’s risks and potential returns. For instance, an investor may divide the equity portion of their portfolio between foreign and domestic stocks and companies and industrial sectors. On the other hand, the bond portion may be allocated between government and corporate debt and short- and long-term bonds.

Step 3. Reassess Your Portfolio Weightings

After you have an established portfolio, you must regularly re-evaluate and adjust the components of your portfolio to keep up with the changes in the market. Doing so will allow you to determine the appropriate asset allocation for your needs.

Factors affecting your financial situation and risk tolerance will also change over time. For instance, if your risk tolerance has decreased, you might need to reduce the number of stocks in your portfolio. Or, if you’re at the stage where you’re ready to take on more risk, then you might want to allocate a small portion of your assets to small-cap stocks.

Step 4. Rebalance

Before you start re-evaluating and adjusting the components of your portfolio’s details, you must determine which securities you should reduce and how much you should sell. This will allow you to determine which under-weighted securities to buy.

If you’re planning on reducing the number of stocks in your portfolio to re-balance it, you might owe a significant capital gains tax. However, it’s better to maintain a steady allocation of assets to other asset classes instead of selling all your growth stocks. This will allow you to reduce the overall weightage of your portfolio without having to pay taxes.

Many people in the US are considering retiring early due to the economic crisis. The pandemic could cause many people to have fewer savings for retirement. It’s important to review your retirement plans at any point in time. Regardless of your current financial situation, the same principles apply to planning for your retirement. These include: planning for unexpected expenses, keeping an eye on your savings, and making conservative decisions with Social Security.

Here are tips that will help you improve your retirement planning. Some may sound familiar, while others are new. Getting started is the best way to ensure you have the necessary resources to retire successfully.

Start Early

It’s common knowledge that many workers are forced to retire early. According to a survey conducted in 2019, almost half of retirees leave the workforce before their scheduled retirement age. According to Desmond Henry, a financial planner based in Topeka, Kansas, the Covid-19 pandemic has accelerated this trend.

According to Henry, some people are forced to retire early due to the economic crisis or the fear of getting sick. Others are not comfortable returning to their jobs. Regardless of the reason, the timing of this trend is earlier than most people had expected.

It’s essential for workers in their 50s and 60s to start planning for their retirement. Although it’s not a sure thing that they’ll retire simultaneously, a recovery in 2021 could make jobs more available and layoffs less frequent. This is why it’s crucial to establish a contingency plan.

2. Deal With Your Debt

If you plan on retiring in the next 12 months, you must eliminate all of your debts, including student loans, credit cards, and mortgages.

The number of people in their 60s and 70s with student loans, credit cards, and mortgages has increased significantly. It can be very challenging to pay these debts off when you have a fixed income, so it’s vital to put in the extra hours to make the payments.

3. Make a Health Insurance Strategy

You are allowed to sign up for Medicare at age 65. To avoid penalties, make sure you have a plan before your birthday. This will let the coverage start earlier.

In addition to Medicare enrollment, it’s also essential to establish a comprehensive retirement healthcare strategy. According to Fidelity, a couple retiring in the US will spend around $300,000 on various medical expenses during their golden years. This includes co-pays and premium increases.

If you are forced to retire before you reach 65, you will still need to find health insurance. You will also need to decide if you can get a bridge from your old employer to Medicare or if you can get health coverage through the Affordable Care Act.

4. Increase HSA Contributions

One way to pay for these expenses later in life is by setting aside a large nest egg in a health savings account. This account can grow tax-free for up to twenty or thirty years. If you start contributing to an HSA this year, you could potentially have a massive pot of emergency cash.

According to Liz Weston, a certified financial planner, health savings accounts offer a variety of benefits. These include tax-free withdrawals, the ability to grow tax-deductible, and the ability to use the money for qualified medical expenses. Many companies also contribute to these accounts as an incentive to encourage their workers to sign up.

As organizations face increasing pressure to distinguish themselves from their competitors, they are also trying to figure out what qualities a good leader should have. The following personality traits can help them figure out what makes a good leader.

A study revealed that certain personality traits are associated with incompetence in leaders and managers. These include over-control, irritability, micro-management, and untrustworthiness. In addition, poor decisions, poor discipline, and dealing with underperforming workers are also cited as traits that can be detrimental to a company’s operations.

Being An Extrovert

This personality trait is characterized by high emotional expressiveness, sociability, and excitability levels. It can be exhibited dominantly or assertively. Other characteristics, such as social participation and speech fluency, are also included in this trait.

2. Being Agreeable

This personality trait is characterized by various pro-social behaviors and attributes such as generosity, kindness, and affection. Individuals with this trait tend to be friendly and approachable.

3. Being Conscientious

This dimension is characterized by high levels of deliberation and goal-directed behaviors. People with this personality trait are likely to be organized and mindful of details. They also have a good sense of responsibility and ethical conduct.

4. Being Emotional Stable

Emotional stability is often used to describe this personality trait, which can manage and adjust one’s emotions in a self-confident manner. On the other hand, individuals with this trait tend to experience various types of emotional instability.

5. Being Able To Be Open

People with this personality trait are likely to have a wide range of interests. They also exhibit characteristics such as insight and imagination.

How Charities Can Benefit From The Traits

One of the best ways for a nonprofit to raise money is through fundraising. However, it’s also not enough to set up a website and hope people will click through.

To successfully drive donations, a nonprofit needs to develop a strategy, build a strong relationship with its potential donors, and constantly pivot. There are lots of ways to raise money for a charity, and you can try different strategies to find the best one for you. In this article, we’ll talk about steps you should take to ensure that your next fundraising event is successful.

Set Goals

Successful fundraisers start with a clear vision and a set of goals. A deep understanding of these goals will allow you to make informed decisions and improve the efficiency of your fundraising efforts. One of the most critical steps that you should take when setting goals is to follow the SMART model, which is a framework that focuses on goals that are specific, measurable, and achievable.  For instance, if you’re in an animal shelter, a goal of $25,000 can be set to purchase new medical supplies. To help with goals, think of these questions.

Why do you want to fundraise?

Before you start a fundraising campaign, you must have a clear understanding of the goals that you want to achieve. This will allow you to make informed decisions and improve the efficiency of your efforts.

What will the fund’s impact be?

Your impact statement should be the first thing people see when they open your campaign materials. It’s the one that you use to convince them that they should make a gift. Your campaign materials should also include a compelling call to action.

2. Choose the Type

An excellent fundraising campaign often features a few of these options.

-Mail

You can create a compelling letter to send to your existing donors to ask them to support a specific cause. This can be done by sending it along with a donation form and a pre-addressed reply envelope.

-Online

You can also create a series of emails that you can send out to your existing supporters to encourage them to donate through your online donation page. You can use social media and advertising to reach new donors. You can additionally set up Google Analytics to track the effectiveness of your efforts.

-Texts

Texting a code word to invite people to make a gift can be a great way to encourage them to donate. This can be done in just a few minutes, allowing them to add a gift to their phone bill or access your online donation page.

-Person-to-Person

Your existing supporters can also help you raise funds by participating in various activities, such as walking or running. They can also organize their mini fundraising event or hold a Facebook fundraiser.

-Crowdfunding

Social media and crowdfunding platforms can reach out to new donors. It’s much easier to get a few thousand people to donate $2 than to get a single individual to give $20,000.

-Fundraising Event

A fundraising event can be of various types, such as a bake sale, an elaborate gala, or a virtual event. You can also charge people for admission, hold a silent auction, or sell goods.

3. Make A Plan

-Make A Budget

Before you start planning a fundraising event, you must identify the people involved and the event’s responsibilities so you can figure out a budget. Having a budget will allow you to prepare for the expenses involved in the event.

-Know Your Timeline

Having a precise end date will allow you to monitor the success of your efforts and keep track of all the critical milestones.

4. Pick Your Platform

You’ll need fundraising software to manage your event’s details, including accepting donations online, processing payments, and managing your donors.

C-level positions require a wide range of skills and experience and a certain amount of personal commitment. Getting a C-level job is a personal goal, and there are various milestones that you need to reach to secure this type of position. Let’s discuss what a C-level executive is, how you can position yourself for this role.

C-Suite

The term “C-suite” refers to an organization’s top executives. These individuals are known for their extensive field experience and strong management skills. They also serve as leaders who help guide their companies toward their goals. In addition to leading their organizations, these individuals also play a vital role in developing corporate strategies.

How To Get A C-Level Job

One of the most effective ways to get a C-level job is networking with other individuals in your industry. This will allow you to develop and showcase your skills to help you land a position in the C-suite. Although it is very challenging to get a C-level job, there are many ways that you can improve your skills and experience to reach this level.

1. Gain Experience

Although getting a C-level job from within an organization is not always possible, many high-level managers can still pursue management roles. To succeed in this type of position, you need to impact the company’s culture and develop strong leadership skills. Aside from developing your leadership skills and management abilities, you must also develop a vision for the company’s success. This can be done through various forms of networking and publications.

2. Take the Lead with Company Changes

Due to mergers and acquisitions, many individuals can take on new roles as executive leaders. These positions can be very beneficial for individuals looking to expand their scope of experience and develop their leadership skills. If you can demonstrate that you can lead effectively, you can be considered for a future C-level position.

3. Offer Consultative Help

Consultants can gain valuable experience working at various companies within a single industry, which allows them to position themselves as experts in their field. This type of work can also help prepare them for potential C-level positions. If you plan on taking on a consultant role, then make sure you have a well-defined path ahead of time. Before you start working at a company, ensure you have the necessary skills and experience to connect with the industry’s biggest names.

4. Try and Become a Board Member

As a board member, you can gain valuable experience in various areas, such as management and decision-making. This type of position can also help prepare you for potential C-level positions.

5. Be An Entrepreneur

The rise of transparency and trust in the workplace has become a common demand among employees. They want to be able to have a clear understanding of what is real and what is not. This is because people are tired of being surprised by the unknowns in their lives. A clear understanding of what is happening in our relationships and decisions allows us to make better decisions.

Besides securing a job, employees also want to be part of a culture that values the truth. They expect their leaders to be honest and transparent in leading the company.The traditional workplace is no longer the utopia it once was. Employees now expect their employers to take the time to look out for them. Companies will lose top talent if they ignore their employees’ needs.

Being honest and transparent is powerful, as it allows people to trust you and your actions. Unfortunately, many leaders are not transparent because they believe that they will be viewed as less powerful.  People relate to leaders because they can relate to their struggles. They want to know how their leaders have overcome their problems.

Through the rise of social media, people have gained access to a broader range of information about their leaders. This has also changed the expectations of people about their leaders.

The need for transparency in society has reached an all-time high. People prefer to watch videos rather than reading blog posts. They want to see how one’s body language, facial expressions, and eye contact compare to others. They also want to know if one is genuinely being sincere.

This means it is time for leaders to be more transparent in the workplace. They should start communicating less over email and through third-party platforms such as video and face-to-face interactions. This will allow them to build trust and establish a new attitude and loyalty within their organizations.

Benefits

1. Faster Problem Solving

Being more transparent can help employees develop a deeper understanding of one another and work toward solving their problems faster.

2. Better Teams

Transparency is one of the most powerful factors that can improve a team’s performance. This can help them work together seamlessly. The building of a team can only be improved by the presence of its leader, who is willing to talk about the team’s weaknesses and strengths.

Being transparent allows everyone to share their opinions and perspectives on the team. This can help the leaders identify the best individuals to handle specific tasks.

Talking about the team’s concerns and profile allows the leaders to identify the best individuals to handle specific tasks. This can also help the group grow together. It enables them to find creative ways to deliver on their performance expectations.

3. Authentic Relationships

The quick pace of technological change and global weather are some factors that have changed the world around us. These changes are also accompanied by the emergence of new black swan events such as the COVID-19 pandemic. These can also have a critical impact on investment portfolios.

Despite the increasing importance of wealth management, many people still try to manage their finances without the help of a professional. This is because it takes a lot of skill to grow and preserve wealth despite the advantages of using conventional methods. This article will discuss why it is important to start managing one’s assets professionally.

Wealth Management

The concept of wealth management is a consultative process that involves gathering information about an individual’s financial needs and goals and then coming up with a set of products and services that meet these needs.

Although it is commonly associated with the management of investments, wealth management is also a more comprehensive approach. This approach involves analyzing an individual’s financial situation and developing a strategy that fits these needs.

This approach can help individuals build an investment profile that fits their goals and circumstances. It can also help them manage their retirement planning. Usually, the proposed investments go beyond traditional vehicles.

Benefits

1.Prepares For Crisis

The COVID-19 pandemic is considered the biggest crisis the world faced in 2020. Not only did it cause the deaths of many individuals, but it also caused economic and financial losses to various levels of society.

One of the most common crises that can affect an individual’s investment portfolio is the collapse of a significant economic sector, which can have a massive impact on an individual’s overall financial situation. Other crises affecting an individual’s investment portfolio include political upheaval, natural disasters, and war.

Having a well-designed and balanced investment portfolio can help protect one’s wealth. One of the most critical strategies that wealth management can use is to create a strategy that doesn’t rely on one asset. It can help individuals manage their investments in a variety of ways.

Unfortunately, many people reach out to financial advisors after experiencing a significant life event, such as the death of a loved one or a divorce. This reactive approach is not always practical. Before a crisis occurs, people must reach out to a financial advisor to get a comprehensive view of their current financial situation.

2.Bigger View Of Opportunities

Despite having high levels of financial awareness, many high-net-worth individuals still have difficulty managing their investments due to the rapid emergence and evolution of new technology. New technology, such as automated trading systems and algorithmic trading, has drastically changed how funds are traded.

3.Smaller Taxes

An effective wealth management strategy involves finding value investments, but it also aims to put together a structure that will house these assets and minimize unnecessary expenses. Tax planning is a vital component of wealth preservation.

A good wealth manager can help an individual navigate through the various aspects of tax planning. They can also help them reduce their tax bill and benefit from the various tax incentives available in the country where their assets are located.

4.Better Time Usage

Getting the proper management of investments can be time-consuming for many people trying to maximize their earnings. It can be rather difficult to keep up with the latest financial reports and economic data, and it can involve studying multiple financial instruments.

Due to global catastrophes, investors must regularly monitor various economic and financial data and news reports to make informed decisions regarding their investments. Doing so can help them prepare for the changes in the market environment. Unfortunately, most people don’t have the time to keep up with their work and family commitments.