Let's Talk Money

Definition

Asset Allocation is an approach to managing your investments that involves setting parameters for different asset classes (bonds, real estate, cash, stocks, etc.)  It involves setting a percentage of each kind to hold in order to reach your investment goals.

Why It's Important

Planning your asset allocations is a lot like budgeting.  There are a multitude of different resources available to see what your target asset allocations should be based on your age, income, and retirement age when planning for retirement.  Generally, the younger you are, more of your portfolio should be invested in stocks.  As you get older you would start transitioning your portfolio to more bonds as they are a less volatile investment.  This video may help you to develop a strategy for yourself.

Definition

REITs are Real Estate Investment Trusts.  They allow you to invest in different types of real estate.  REITs are available on the market for any real estate niche whether you want to invest in hotels, apartments, commercial buildings, etc.

Why It's Important

Most people think the only way to invest in real estate is to buy a house or rental property.  REITs are traded on the stock exchange (just like stocks and bonds) to take advantage of the volume of people coming together to invest in bigger projects.  They offer another form of diversification in your portfolio.

Be sure to invest in liquid REITs sold on the exchange and not illiquid REITs that are hard to get rid of!

An odd thing happened Friday, I went to the ATM to withdraw money, and I received the message that said, "Unauthorized Use." I thought maybe I put in the wrong pin, so I swiped and tried again. I received the same prompt! What could be going on?! 

I took the next logical step and called the card company. They explained that my card had a block on it and they were sending me a new card because my information was compromised at a Sonic restaurant. Huh? In my head, I realize it has been a while since I've even been to a restaurant. On Saturday, I received another letter from another bank card saying that I was going to be reissued a new card.  Wow! The situation was unusual because my friend had just told me earlier that week how her card was compromised at a Bojangles restaurant. What is going on with the fast food restaurants?! So, I wanted to make a post with some tips and what to look for so you won't become a victim.

1. Use Cash Whenever Possible - This is the...

Definition

Compound interest is interest added on to the principal on a deposit or loan so that the added interest also earns interest and so on and so forth.  

Why It's Important

I think Albert Einstein said it best, "Compound interest is the eighth wonder of the world.  He who understands it, earns it... he who doesn't... pays it."  If you start with $1000 in the bank and it gains 10% a year,  the breakdown would look like this:

Year 1: $1100
Year 2: $1210
Year 3: $1331

That's compound interest!

For the technical people it's formula is 

	=	final amount
	=	initial principal balance
	=	interest rate
	=	number of times interest applied per time period
	=	number of time periods elapsed

Definition

Index funds are passively managed, meaning they track an established market index.  One example is the S&P 500 which invests in 500 of the largest companies in a range of industries.  Another example is the Dow Jones Industrial Average, "The Dow", which shows how 30 large, publicly traded companies have traded.  Usually, reporters use The Dow to exclaim how good (or bad) the market is doing.

Why It's Important

Index Funds offer broad market exposure at a low cost.  Because they are passively managed, their fees are lower than actively managed funds.  When it comes to performance, index funds generally beat actively managed funds over the long-term. 

I am always reading about finance (which is hardly news to anyone that knows me).  I have found the ULTIMATE HOME-BUYING GUIDE.  I am in love!

When I say this article breaks down the entire process, I am not over exaggerating.  I admittedly wanted to write an article on my experience with the home-buying process, but I was not going to go this in depth.  As a millennial, I navigated the process myself and learned quite a few "tough lessons" along the way.  If I had found this article ahead of time, I would have been better equipped to go through the process.  Here are my key takeaways from the article:

Understand the "Order of Operations"
I did not know how everything was supposed to go, but I did have an excellent real estate agent (Terri Burton) that walked me through and educated me as we progressed.  I can not stress number 2 on the list enough!  You have to have an excellent team behind you when making such a massive purchase. ...

Definition

A bull market or a bull run is a financial market in which prices are rising or expected to rise.  Bull markets generally take place when the economy is strengthening.

Why It's Important

We are in the 2nd longest running bull market!  It started after the dip in March 2009 and continues today.  Analyst are trying to figure out how much longer it has.  With that said, make sure you are diversified (remember?) because all good things must come to an end eventually.

A Bull Market is not to be confused with Bear Market, they are both different types of markets. 

I wanted to share my Top 6 favorite financial podcasts so far this year! There were so many to choose from so making this list was hard. I am one of those people that listens to podcasts whenever I get the chance whether it's in the car, sitting at my desk, or just cleaning the house, I'm always listening. These podcasts give such good information that they inspired me to start my own. Without further ado, here is the list:

1. The Dave Ramsey show - This show really inspired me to take a closer look at my finances. Listening to the debt free screams and the questions from live callers prompted me to start this financial journey. Sometimes you know you have to do something but it takes hearing from someone else that's in your same shoes to take action. I have listened day in and day out to how Dave coaches people and encourages them to get on the right track and it made me want to do the same. I highly recommend The Dave Ramsey Show if you are currently working...

Definition

A risk-reduction method by which you spread your assets among many different investments.

Why It's Important

In the event of a downturn in the market, having sufficient diversification can help you not take too much of a hit.  It is pretty much the adage, "Don't put all your eggs in one basket"!

What to Diversify?

• Your Marketing and Business Strategy
• Your Personal / Agency / Companies Portfolio
• Your Employed Capital into separate, well versed investments. (Which helps "diversify" the risk

I have been on a networking frenzy this week. With three events down and one to go, I realize a common theme: everyone is struggling with money! As soon as I tell people what I do their eyes light up and they start divulging into how they need financial help. But how did we get here as a society?

I know! It was the lack of education from the beginning. After going through elementary, middle school, high school, undergraduate, and now graduate school, I never learned about personal finance. Being a business major, I can tell you all about corporate finance but how does that serve me? I will say my daycare as a child did attempt to teach us about investing by having us pick a stock and track it weekly, paying or receiving fake money as we went but that was it. We need to do better as a society both teaching and learning personal finance. It all starts with you! Have you been reading blogs, listening to podcasts, or watching YouTube videos about finance? The...