Newsletters that engage
Newsletters are a powerful tool for nurturing client relationships, boosting engagement, and encouraging return visits. I create newsletters that drive clicks to blogs, websites, and storefronts to help brands stay top-of-mind and grow loyalty over time. Below you will find content created specifically for newsletters.
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Are You Ready
for Spring Weather?
Spring brings flowers, but it also brings showers. In fact, spring is generally considered the season with the most severe weather. And regardless of where you’re located in the country, you are susceptible to some form of severe weather. Whether it’s mudslides in California, hail and sleet in Massachusetts, or tornados in Oklahoma, severe weather comes in some form to all of us. From a late-season blizzard to a peak-season thunderstorm, make sure you're prepared for whatever spring brings!
We understand that preparing for severe weather can be overwhelming, so we wanted to help out! Use our checklist to help prep for potential wild weather this season.
Know the difference between a watch and a warning
A tornado watch means a tornado is possible, so be prepared. A tornado warning means a tornado is about to happen, so take shelter immediately. This applies across the board for floods, thunderstorms, etc.
Have a plan
Many survivors of natural disasters cite having a plan to saving their lives. Have a plan for you and your family in the event of severe weather in your area. Have a plan if you are home, have a plan for when you are at work/your children are at school, etc. Know where the safe parts are in your home, or where you will go to seek shelter, and practice drills with your family regularly.
Never drive through flood waters
Most flood deaths happen to folks attempting to drive in/through flood waters. Even if the water is still at the top, there's no telling if there are currents underneath or how deep the water is. What could look like a large puddle could end up engulfing your whole vehicle. If you see flood waters on the road, turn around!
Have a kit
Make sure you have an emergency kit on hand with the following in it:
o Three-day supply of non-perishable food and water — one gallon per person, per day for drinking and hygiene purposes
o Battery-powered or hand crank radio (NOAA Weather Radio, if possible)
o Flashlight and extra batteries
o First aid kit, medications, and medical items
o Copies of all important documents (proof of address, deed/lease to home, passports, birth certificates, insurance policies)
Have proper insurance
Homeowners insurance typically covers most severe weather damage, but not all. Standard homeowners insurance will usually cover hail, sleet, ice, snow, wind, and lightning damage. However, when it comes to flood or earthquake damage you will need to make sure you have specific policies to cover those. Look over your current policies to see what is covered and what is not, and make changes to prepare for future severe weather. Remember, it takes 30 days for flood insurance to kick in, so, if needed, don't wait to update your policies!
Regardless of what spring brings weather-wise, being prepared for the worst can be the difference between losing not only the assets you’ve worked hard to build, but your life as well. Beyond being prepared, with a plan in place you’ll be able to enjoy spring’s pleasant weather more knowing you’re ready in case it turns severe.
Navigating Trump’s
Liberation Day
Tariffs
We wanted to take the time to personally reach out to our clients, to let them know that we are here if they have any uneasy feeling or questions during this time. We completely understand that the news about the tariffs can feel unsettling, but please know that we are watching these developments closely and will guide you with your best interests in mind.
We understand how stressful his time can be; that’s why we work with you to think long-term. We don’t offer guidance based on short-term, emotional reactions. Our advice is based on what will help you live the life you’ve worked hard to create. If you think your plan needs a tweak, or if you want to reassess your long-term goals, we’re here.
As always, we appreciate your trust in us, and we’ll get through this uncertain time, on the other side, together.
It’s no secret that since Trump took office, there have been many surprises and twists that many folks did not anticipate. While on his campaign trail, he touted tariffs, but many were unsure how that would actually play out. Now, post “Liberation Day,” we’re seeing it with aggressive tariffs targeting many countries and many sectors.
However, how scared should consumers and investors actually be? And how much of that fear is warranted versus how much of it is based on fear of uncertainty and mass panic? The thing is, Trump and tariffs are not new. If we do a look back to his last presidency, he made headlines in 2018 for implementing tariffs on China. How did markets respond? A trade war spurred volatility, slowing down China’s economy and causing the S&P 500 Index to fall 4.4%. However, by 2019, the index sharply recovered by 31.1% with trade deals, and consumer spending remained steady. The annual consumer price index ranged from 1.50% to 2.85% in 2018 and 2019, and in both years, inflation was muted in the aggregate.
The markets are similar to us in the sense that nothing stays the same. The challenges you faced in your early 20s are not the same ones you have today. How long they took to resolve may vary, but they never stayed forever. While we all hope to avoid recession, we have to be strategic in how we face challenges in the market. Imagine if you followed your initial knee-jerk, emotional reaction to those challenges you faced when you were younger. Making decisions based on emotion, especially fear, rarely helps you reach your goals, and frankly, they can sabotage you from ever getting close to them.
So, going back to our current market situation, what can investors do right now? Well, depending on their specific situation, it may be best to wait it out. See the chart below:
Research shows that those who exit the market the day after every –2% market move or worse over a 25-year time period consistently underperform those who remain fully invested. When you leave the market, you don’t just avoid future bad days, you also miss out on the future good days.Ultimately, missing even just a few of the market's best days, or getting back into the market only after the market is already up, can significantly impact long-term returns. Because, remember, just like in life, nothing stays bad forever; good days will come again. The market is no different.
Sources:
It’s time to
spring clean
your finances
It’s that time of year again, the perfect opportunity to sort through your closet, clear out clutter, and downsize. While many may think “spring cleaning” just applies to their home, the concept can be used in all areas of your life! If you think your finances may benefit from a refresh, now is a great time to give it one. If you need help getting started, here are some things you may want to include in your financial spring cleaning:
Consolidate Accounts
When’s the last time you did a comprehensive look at all your accounts? If it’s been a while, this may be the perfect time to do a full review and combine old or inactive accounts so you can see and manage everything together in one place in the future. For example, if you have 401(k)s from previous jobs, consider rolling those over into your current retirement account, or if you are 59-1/2 or older, there may be even more options. Likewise, you may be able to reduce fees by eliminating duplicate investments or streamlining bank accounts. While reviewing your investment and retirement accounts, you’ll also want to double-check that these accounts still align with your financial goals.
Declutter Your Debt
Consider paying off high-interest debt first to save money and get started toward eliminating debt, or you may want to look into refinancing or consolidating loans for better terms. If you haven’t already, this may be a good time to set up a structured repayment plan to stay on track.
Insurance Policy Update
Review your life, health, and home insurance coverage and adjust your policies if there have been life changes like income, dependents, or assets since your last review. Remember, the people you name as beneficiaries on life insurance policies (and retirement accounts for that matter!) take precedence over estate planning documents in most states. Also, make sure to check for any gaps in coverage so you have the most comprehensive coverage for your situation.
Organize Financial Documents
For those who keep hard copies of financial documents, sort and store tax returns, bank statements, and investment records. Shred outdated or unnecessary paperwork. Also, consider going digital with a secure cloud account to help you easily store and access all your documents in the future if it makes sense for you.
Portfolio Review
This is a great time to see if your portfolio needs a rebalance. Since your last review, assess if your risk tolerance and goals have shifted and if your portfolio accurately reflects that. Also, consider current market and economic conditions. With tariffs and inflation on the rise, you may want to consider moving some assets into lower-risk investments.
Spring cleaning, whether it’s sorting a tucked-away junk closet or doing a thorough financial account review, can be overwhelming. If you need help with spring cleaning your finances, we’re here!