Here we are at the beginning of 2018.  Just 4 months before 2017 taxes are due.  As a financial professional, I am always thinking in the future.  Cashflow forecasts, how current financial decisions impact the future, retirement, the potential need for long term care, and wills & trusts are areas I specialize in and affect each one of us. So, why am I writing about windfalls?  Well, this is the month most people will receive unexpected cash in the form of their annual bonuses at work, notification of the coming year’s pay increase, promotions on their jobs, and receive cash gifts for Christmas.  Additionally, ones CPA may recommend accelerating their income by taking IRA distributions this year instead of next; selling stocks or other assets with taxable gains this year to lower next year’s tax bracket.  Oh, and let’s not leave out an inheritance and a lucky lotto win. Everyone’s situation is different, and the amount of the windfall can vary as well.  Nonetheless, here are some smart tips for those unexpected windfalls:
  • If the amount is large, don’t quit your day job or purchase a big-ticket item right away. These can be very costly decisions that can quickly cause that windfall to disappear and you do not want to underestimate how much income you will need to replace.
  • Seek advice from your financial professional immediately.  It is essential to develop a plan that is suitable for your situation (current and future)
  • Pay the IRS. Ignoring taxes can lead to huge headaches and a big tax bill.
  • Invest in yourself.  The best way is to create an emergency fund.  “Rainy Day” money for those unexpected expenses.
  • Revisit your estate plan.  Perfect time to consider your legacy and your heirs
  • Splurge a little.  Yes, once your financial house is in order, go ahead and treat yourself and your family.
At Virtuity Financial Partners, we want to help you design a plan to enjoy the freedom that the windfall provides and give yourself the additional gift of time.  Taking a planned approach will allow you to enjoy the process and make better decisions that you will be happy with for a long time.   Written by Jewel Johnson and Gillian Giorgio gilliangiorgio@virtuity.com                                                                                                  www.virtuity.com
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Grant Cardone
https://grantcardone.com/
Star of Discovery Channel’s “Undercover Billionaire,” Grant Cardone owns and operates seven privately held companies and a private equity real estate firm, Cardone Capital, with a multifamily portfolio of assets under management valued at over $4 billion. He is the Top Crowdfunder in the world, raising over $900 million in equity via social media. Known internationally as the leading expert on sales, marketing, and scaling businesses, Cardone is a New York Times bestselling author of 11 business books, including “The 10X Rule,” which led to Cardone establishing the 10X Global Movement and the 10X Growth Conference, now the largest business and entrepreneur conference in the world. The online business and sales educational platform he created, Cardone University, serves over 411,000 individuals and Forbes 100 corporate clients throughout the world. Voted the top Marketing Influencer to watch by Forbes, Cardone uses his massive 15 million plus following to give back via his Grant Cardone Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring underserved, at-risk adolescents in financial literacy, especially those without father figures.
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