Minimizing Lifetime Taxes with Roth Conversions in Early Retirement

Minimizing Lifetime Taxes with Roth Conversions in Early Retirement

by | Oct 4, 2022 | After you retire, Chris Waclawik, Goal Planning, Preparing for Retirement, Retirement Savings, Tech Focus, Wealth Enhancement, Wealth Protection

 

Minimizing Lifetime Taxes with Roth Conversions in Early Retirement

Moving into retirement is an exciting opportunity to live fully. It can be a time to travel, explore new hobbies, or spend time with grandchildren.

For many, this period at the start of retirement can also be an opportunity to provide additional financial security—and minimize lifetime taxes—by making partial Roth conversions.

 

The Retirement “Tax Valley”

Many retirees will be in a lower tax bracket early in retirement than they were just before retirement while they’re still working—or than they will be in later in retirement. To understand why, consider Jim and Susan (both age 61) who recently retired.

While working, Jim and Susan had a combined household income of $250,000. This put them right in the middle of the 24% tax bracket for a married couple. At retirement, Jim and Susan have the following assets:

  • $1 million (Jim’s IRA)
  • $1 million (Susan’s IRA)
  • $100,000 (Jim’s Roth IRA)
  • $500,000 (Taxable account – with a $300,000 cost basis)
  • $300,000 (Cash savings in bank accounts and CDs)
  • $800,000 (House – No Mortgage)

Jim and Susan will also have the following income in retirement:

  • $50,000 (Jim’s annual pension – starting at age 65)
  • $30,000 (Susan’s annual pension – starting at age 65)
  • $40,000 (Jim’s annual Social Security – Starting at age 70)
  • $35,000 (Susan’s annual Social Security – Starting at age 70)

 

In addition to that income, Jim and Susan will each have to start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) out of their IRAs starting at age 72. Assuming they don’t make withdrawals from the IRA between now and age 72, and that the accounts grow at 7% annually over the next 11 years, they would each be worth about $2.1 million by age 72. They would each have an RMD of about $76,650 the year they turn 72 ($2,100,000 / 27.4).

This would potentially give them a taxable income at age 72 of about $308,300 from pensions, Social Security, and their RMDs. This puts them back at the top of the 24% tax bracket, and they could easily move up to the 32% tax bracket or higher.

However, in their first years of retirement, they could basically have no taxable income if they are using cash savings and the taxable investment account to fund their goals if they choose to do so. Is it a smart idea to minimize taxes this much during these early retirement years?

 

Strategic Roth Conversions Early in Retirement

Let’s say that Jim and Susan would have $0 taxable income in early retirement. Their modest interest, dividend, and realized capital gain income is offset by their $25,900 standard deduction.

If they each convert $65,000 annually from their IRA to their Roth accounts ($130,000 total), they will initially pay tax on that conversion primarily at the 10% and 12% rates, with just a little being taxed in the 22% bracket each year.

If they do this each year until age 72 when their RMD begins, they would have about $1,079,000 in each IRA, assuming 7% annual returns. This would reduce their initial RMD at age 72 by about half. Their taxable income at age 72 would be reduced by about $74,500 and their tax liability by about $17,880 since they were in the 24% tax bracket.

Much of the earlier conversions each year would have been taxed at 10% or 12% rates, resulting in less overall tax being paid during their lifetimes.

 

Protection Against Rising Tax Rates

The example above shows the benefits of Jim’s and Susan’s Roth conversions, assuming tax rates stay the same. If 10 years from now, tax rates on higher earners increase, they will have less income being taxed at those higher levels due to the smaller IRA balances and smaller RMDs.

They would also have about $1,000,000 in each Roth IRA by age 72, assuming a 7% rate of growth. This can be withdrawn tax-free if additional money is needed. This is always a benefit but especially so in a world where overall tax rates are higher.

 

Roth Conversions to Take Advantage of a Market Decline

In addition to the benefit of taking Roth conversions when in lower tax brackets, Jim and Susan can take advantage of market declines to make strategic Roth conversions.

Say a market decline in the first six months of the year produces the following negative returns:

-2% (Bonds)

-10% (Large US stocks)

-15% (Large international stocks)

-20% (Small US stocks, small international stocks, emerging market stocks)

This becomes a great opportunity for Jim and Susan to strategically move some of the small US, small international, and emerging market stocks from the IRA to the Roth accounts. Assuming the investments recover as expected, Jim and Susan can pay tax on the conversion when the prices are down and enjoy a significant tax-free recovery after the investments are in the Roth account.

 

Additional Factors to Consider

There are several other factors for Jim and Susan to consider when making Roth conversions early in retirement.

When purchasing individual health insurance in retirement before Medicare begins, retirees may qualify for subsidies to reduce the cost of their premiums based on their taxable income. In Jim and Susan’s case, they have retiree healthcare from their employer that doesn’t qualify for tax subsidies, so this is not a factor.

Once Medicare Part B benefits start at age 65, there is an additional IRMAA premium cost when taxable income increases beyond a certain level. In 2022, this additional premium begins when income is above $182,000 for a married couple.

For retirees who expect to have money at the end to leave to an heir, Roth conversions can be an important part of an estate plan, as leaving Roth assets to heirs are significantly more valuable than leaving traditional IRA money to heirs.

 

Conclusion

While they won’t be a perfect solution for everyone, for the right families, Roth conversions early in retirement can be a powerful tool to minimize taxes over your lifetime and maximize overall expected wealth.

This can be one more tool to ensure the ability to make the most of retirement and really live fully!

 

 

 

Disclosure: All opinions expressed in this article are for general informational purposes and constitute the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of the report. These opinions are subject to change without notice and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. The material has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, however Merriman cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source.  Merriman does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as such. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital and past performance does not guarantee future returns; please seek advice from a licensed professional.

 

 

Should You Have a Budget?

Should You Have a Budget?

by | Sep 6, 2022 | Advisors, Emergency Savings, Goal Planning, Mike Ersser, Tech Focus, Wealth Enhancement

Budgeting: Determine an approach that makes sense to you

 

Budgeting. You may have embraced the concept, or more likely, avoided it altogether, which is very common. Sometimes we feel obligated to complete a budget, but more often than not, we find it hard to implement and even tougher to maintain. So, should you budget? Is it worth your time to create one? What if you don’t complete one? How does having a budget help? This article will outline the benefits of creating a budget as well as provide a foundation to get started.

As wild as life can be at times, a financial budget can bring clarity to a household and help alleviate anxiety around spending. Quite frankly, that is exactly the point. Without a budget, spending can bring a level of stress that may overshadow the excitement of a given purchase. Having a budget in place allows you to know where your dollars are going and can provide the ultimate relief in terms of achieving guilt- free spending. This applies to those saving for retirement and those who have already shifted into retirement. Below are a couple types of common budgeting approaches. Keep in mind that no one size fits all, but there are options.

Types of Budgets:

 

Zero-based budget

Track specific income and expenses to understand exactly where all your hard-earned money is going. This is the most difficult budgeting style to start, but it will bring the most transparency to your finances. This method takes a lot of maintenance and is more suited for those who enjoy the process. Engineers and accounting professionals, I am talking to you. Microsoft Office offers several Budget Templates that can help jump-start the process.

General steps:

  • Gather data from bank accounts, credit card statements, investment accounts, etc.
  • Organize the data into categories, typically fixed versus variable inflows & outflows
  • Utilize software like Excel to accurately map out household cash flow
Reverse Budget

Start with savings amounts and/or debt payments and then proceed to allocate what is left over to general expenses. This is the easiest to start and focuses on prioritizing savings targets. The downside to this approach is that it can leave you shorthanded when it comes time for very real expenses like groceries or utilities.

Merriman’s own Geoff Curran wrote a great article a couple years ago that highlights this method in greater detail: Reverse Budgeting

50/30/20 budget

This method takes an alternative approach and categorizes spending into three main categories: Needs (50%) / Wants (30%) / Savings (20%). The percentage per category may change given the individual creating the budget, but the focus remains the same – categorizing what is essential versus what is deemed “extra”.

General steps:

  • “Needs” may consist of rent/mortgage payments, utilities, groceries, etc.
  • “Wants” generally include items like travel, entertainment, restaurant spending, etc.
  • “Savings” targets carving out money for near-term purchases and, most importantly, retirement savings.

  

There is no one correct method to use, and that is the part most people struggle with. A crucial element of budgeting is very similar to maintaining a sound financial plan: choose a method that works for your situation, one that can be maintained over the long run. If you have budgeting questions or want to explore the methods mentioned in this article, please reach out to Merriman. We would like to help you find an approach that works for you.

 

 

Disclosure: All opinions expressed in this article are for general informational purposes and constitute the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of the report. These opinions are subject to change without notice and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. The material has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, however Merriman cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source.  Merriman does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as such.

Boeing Pension and Lump Sum Comparison – Should I Retire Early?

Boeing Pension and Lump Sum Comparison – Should I Retire Early?

by | Aug 19, 2022 | 401k, Advisors, After you retire, Chris Waclawik, Goal Planning, Preparing for Retirement, Retirement Savings, Tech Focus, Wealth Enhancement

 

Boeing Employee – Should I Retire Early?

Boeing employees nearing retirement age are facing a financial decision that will need to be made by November 30—one that could have a significant impact on their lifestyle in retirement.

 

Higher Interest Rates and the Lump Sum Pension Benefit

Boeing offers many employees the option at retirement to either receive a pension, providing monthly income for life, or to have a single lump sum deposited into a retirement account that can be invested and withdrawn as desired.

The amount of the pension benefit is based on several factors, including years of service with Boeing and average salary while employed.

When determining the lump sum benefit, the underlying interest rates are an additional factor to take into consideration. Higher interest rates will create a lower lump sum benefit, and lower interest rates will create a higher lump sum benefit. Boeing resets the interest rate used in the calculation once per year in November.

With the significantly higher interest rates we’ve seen in 2022, an engineer who may currently qualify to choose either a $5,000 monthly pension or a $1 million lump sum benefit may be looking at only $800,000 in lump sum benefit if they retire after November 30, 2022. The exact numbers will vary for each employee.

That $200,000 reduced benefit can be a significant incentive for employees who are planning to retire in the next few years to adjust their plans and retire early.

 

To Whom Does This Apply?

Not all Boeing employees have a pension as part of their benefits. Also, some employees are covered by unions that only offer the monthly pension and do not have a lump sum option.

Boeing engineers who are members of the SPEEA (Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace) union usually have a generous lump sum benefit compared with the monthly pension and may benefit significantly from comparing their options.

 

Financial Planning to Compare Options

The decision to take either the lump sum in retirement or the monthly pension is a significant one, and both contain risks.

With the lump sum, the employee is accepting the risk of the market and managing the money.

With the monthly pension, the guaranteed income provided to the employee will not increase with inflation. This year has been a good reminder that inflation can significantly reduce the purchasing power of that income.

Also, does it make sense for an employee who originally planned to retire in two years to give up on the years of additional earnings and savings? Can the employee afford to do so?

We help employees compare how a monthly pension or lump sum benefit will interact with other resources (Social Security, retirement accounts, real estate) to determine the ability to meet goals in retirement. We can also compare retiring in 2022 with delaying retirement and possibly receiving a reduced benefit in the future.

 

Deadline and Next Steps

Boeing employees wanting to claim the lump sum before rising interest rates potentially reduce benefits will have to retire and submit the request for a lump sum benefit by November 30, 2022.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by assessing the pros and cons of this decision, reach out to us for your complementary personalized analysis. We can help you determine whether retiring now would provide you with a sustainable retirement that meets your lifestyle needs.

 

 

 

Disclosure: All opinions expressed in this article are for general informational purposes and constitute the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of the report. These opinions are subject to change without notice and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. The material has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, however Merriman cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source.  Merriman does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as such. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. As always please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital and past performance does not guarantee future returns; please seek advice from a licensed professional.

 

 

 

 

Do Luxury Cars Need an Active Warranty?

Do Luxury Cars Need an Active Warranty?

by | Aug 9, 2022 | Goal Planning, Risk & Reward, Wealth Preservation

 

If you own a luxury car, do you need to have an active warranty on it? That’s a question that has been on many minds lately, particularly those who own or are looking to purchase a high-end vehicle. Here we’ll take a look at what an active warranty is, the pros and cons of having one for your luxury car, and who might benefit from purchasing one. So whether you’re in the market for an exotic sports car or are simply curious about this topic, read on.

 

The Benefits of an Active Warranty

When you invest in a Rolls-Royce Phantom, you’re not just buying a car—you’re making a statement. This is a vehicle that exudes luxury, and its price tag reflects that. But what many people don’t realize is that a Rolls-Royce is also a complex machine, with hundreds of moving parts. That’s why it’s so important to have an active warranty.

An aftermarket warranty can help cover the cost of repairs and services, and it gives you peace of mind knowing that you’re covered in case of any unforeseen problems. So if you’re thinking about buying a luxury car, make sure you factor in the cost of an active warranty. It could end up being the best investment you ever make. Take a look at the different warranty providers; for example, see how CarShield warranty costs differ from other providers.

1. Luxury cars are often expensive and have high maintenance costs

Anyone who has ever owned a luxury car knows that they come with a high price tag. Not only are the initial costs higher than for a standard car, but luxury cars also have much higher maintenance costs. Warranty coverage is generally much more expensive for luxury cars, and repairs can also be quite costly.

In addition, luxury cars often require premium gasoline and may need to be serviced more frequently than standard cars, adding yet more to the overall cost. However, for many people, the high cost is worth it for the prestige and status that comes with owning a luxury car.

2. Warranties can help you protect your investment

Warranties are a great way to protect your wealth. When you purchase a vehicle, you want to be sure it will last for years to come. A warranty can help you do just that. By ensuring that your vehicle is protected against defects and damage, you can rest assured that it will continue to run smoothly for years to come. What’s more, a warranty can also help you avoid costly repairs. In the event that something does go wrong with your vehicle, a warranty can help to cover the cost of the repairs. As such, warranties are an excellent way to protect your wealth and ensure that your vehicle remains in good condition for years to come.

3. There are a variety of warranties to choose from

As you approach retirement, it’s important to start thinking about how you’ll protect your assets. One way to do this is to purchase an aftermarket car warranty for your vehicle. There are a variety of options available, so you can find a plan that fits your needs and budget. It’s important to compare plans and prices before you make a decision, but an aftermarket warranty can be a great way to protect your investment and provide peace of mind.

4. They can help you save money over the life of your car

If you’re like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to car warranties. However, if you’re the owner of a Porsche Panamera, an aftermarket car warranty can be a lifesaver. Porsche is known for its luxury cars, and the Panamera is no exception. With a starting price of $85,000, it’s one of the most expensive cars on the market. And because it’s a Porsche, you can expect to pay more for repairs and maintenance than you would for a less luxurious car.

An aftermarket warranty can help to offset some of these costs. In addition, it can give you confidence knowing that your car is covered in the event of an unexpected breakdown. Whether you’re looking to save money or to protect your investment, an aftermarket car warranty is worth considering.

 

When You Don’t Need an Active Warranty

Anyone who’s ever driven a luxury car knows that they’re a different breed altogether. They’re smoother, sleeker, and generally just better all around. But one of the best things about them is that despite their higher price tag, they don’t require an active warranty. That’s right—you can buy a luxury car and not have to worry about forking over extra money every month for a warranty. And why is that? Because luxury cars are built to last. They’re made with higher quality materials and designed to withstand whatever life throws their way. So go ahead and treat yourself to a luxurious ride. You deserve it!

1. You can afford to pay for repairs yourself

If you don’t mind spending the money and can afford to pay for repairs yourself, you don’t need an aftermarket warranty. For example, if you have an Audi A8, the cost of repairs and maintenance will be much higher than the average car. However, if you have the money for it, you won’t have to worry about paying for repairs down the road. Aftermarket warranties often have a lot of fine print that can exclude certain types of repairs. So, if you can afford to pay for repairs yourself, it’s probably the best option.

2. It’s not worth the extra money

Aftermarket warranties are often not worth the extra money for a number of reasons. First, they tend to be much more expensive than the manufacturer’s warranty. Second, they often have a lot of exclusions and restrictions that make it difficult to actually use the coverage. Finally, many people find that they never actually need to use the coverage. For these reasons, aftermarket warranties are not always worth the extra money.

Financial freedom is important, and there are better ways to spend your money than on an aftermarket warranty. Financial freedom gives you the ability to live your life the way you want to live it, and it is something that everyone should strive for. There are numerous things you can do to achieve financial freedom, and buying an overpriced warranty is not one of them.

3. Luxury cars are built to last

Luxury cars are built with the highest quality materials and components so they can withstand the rigors of daily driving for many years. That’s why luxury car owners don’t need to buy an extended car warranty. The factory warranty will cover any repairs that are needed during the first few years of ownership. After that, the car will continue to run reliably for many more years, with only routine maintenance required to keep it in top condition. So if you’re thinking of buying a luxury car, rest assured that it will provide years of trouble-free driving enjoyment.

4. The claims process is complicated

The extended car warranty claims process is complicated. If you bought a car with an extended warranty, you’re likely to find that the process for filing a claim is much more complicated than you anticipated. In order to get your claim processed, you’ll need to provide a lot of documentation, including proof of purchase and a detailed description of the problem. You’ll also need to be prepared to negotiate with the warranty company, as they will likely try to lowball you on the repairs. However, if you’re persistent, you can get the full value of your extended warranty. Just be prepared for a long and complicated process.

When it comes to luxury cars, there are many things to consider. You need to think about the cost of repairs and maintenance, whether you can afford them, and whether an aftermarket warranty is worth the money. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide if you need an extended warranty for your Genesis G90. If you’re comfortable with the costs and don’t mind dealing with the complicated claims process, then go ahead and buy a warranty. But if you’re not sure that an aftermarket warranty is right for you, don’t feel pressured into buying one. There are plenty of other ways to protect your investment in a luxury car.

 

 

Written exclusively for Merriman.com by: Georgia Henry. 
Georgia Henry is originally from South Orange, New Jersey. After studying marketing in college and minoring in finance, she discovered her true passion: writing. Georgia loves to ski and has been on many amazing vacations, but her favorite was when she visited the petrified forests. She also enjoys painting and watching Olympic wrestling. In her spare time, she likes to hang out with her cat named Tom Petty.

 

 

Disclosure: All opinions expressed in this article are for general informational purposes and constitute the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of the report. These opinions are subject to change without notice and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. The material has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, however Merriman cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source.  Merriman does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as such.

The Building Blocks of Portfolio Risk Management

The Building Blocks of Portfolio Risk Management

by | Jul 12, 2022 | Advisors, Goal Planning, Lowell Parker, Psychology of Investing, Risk & Reward, Tech Focus, Wealth Preservation

 

When markets are rising, risk management seems easy—invest, sit back, and watch your investments grow. Things get a bit trickier when the markets experience volatility and decline. These are the times when you need to understand the amount of risk your investments are subject to and how that risk relates to your financial plan.

 

The first and least tangible measure of risk is qualitative in nature: how much risk are you willing to take? How would you feel, for example, if the markets declined more than 20%? What if the markets fell by more than 40%? Generally, what is the level of decline that you are comfortable with that will encourage you to stay invested and allow for your plan to thrive? Take some time to think about it. While it is easy to come up with a threshold or a hypothetical number, it is different in real time (consider the financial crisis or the markets’ initial response to the COVID outbreak, for example).

 

Once we have a handle on your subjective feelings around risk, there are a variety of tools we use here at Merriman Wealth Management to help our clients manage the quantitative measures of risk.

 

First and most important is answering this question: what is the amount of risk my portfolio can take within the context of my financial plan? This is a super important question. Too often, folks will bifurcate their investment and financial plans. This does not typically lead to successful outcomes. We manage this for clients by calculating statistically valid risk and return measures for our clients’ portfolios—i.e., we expect an all-equity portfolio to return 9.52% net of fees per year with a standard deviation of 20.49. A more moderate 60% equity portfolio would return at 7.95% and 13.06, respectively. Understanding these figures within the context of your accumulation and distribution plans is what matters. The typical recipe is for folks in their early years to take on more risk, as they have time for the markets to recover from declines. In contrast, folks later in life have less time to recover, and a more moderate portfolio is conducive to their plan.

 

The next risk management tool to understand centers around the sequence of returns. While one can craft statistically valid long-term expectations for portfolio risk and return, it is extremely difficult to predict returns in any given year. Consider 2020: who would have thought the markets would have rebounded so swiftly?

 

One thing to keep in mind with respect to sequence risk is what we call “bad timing.” What happens if you retire (switch from accumulating to decumulating) and the markets have two successive bad years? This is a good stress test for your portfolio. Pass this test, and your plan is likely in good shape.

 

The next measure to consider is the longer-term variability of returns. We measure this by running 1,000 different return trials for our clients (Monte Carlo analysis), effectively looking at everything from years of sustained above-average performance to years of sustained below-average performance and everything in between. The results are considered a success if greater than approximately 80% of the trials result in money remaining at the “end” of your plan. 

 

In conclusion, consider the list of questions below as you evaluate the risk metrics of your plan:

  • What are the risk dynamics of my current portfolio, and how do these relate to my financial plan?
  • What is the outcome of my financial plan if I retire and the markets have two successive bad years?
  • How am I accounting for the sequence of returns? What is my plan’s probability of success—will I have money left at the end of my plan?

 

Here at Merriman Wealth Management, we live by our tagline of “Invest Wisely. Live Fully.” If you are a Merriman client, we’ve got you covered. If you are not a Merriman client and would like a holistic review of your financial plan and corresponding risk metrics, let us know, and we would be happy to take you through our complimentary Discovery process.

 

 

Disclosure: The material is presented solely for information purposes and has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, however Merriman cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source. Merriman does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be relied upon as such. Nothing in this presentation in intended to serve as personalized investment, tax, or insurance advice, as such advice depends on your individual facts and circumstances. Past performance is no guarantee of future results.  Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Merriman and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advice may be rendered by Merriman unless a client service agreement is in place.

Let’s Talk About Living with Student Loans

Let’s Talk About Living with Student Loans

by | May 10, 2022 | 401k, Advisors, Dan Hill, Goal Planning, Tech Focus, Wealth Enhancement

 

Let’s Talk About Living with Student Loans

I have more student loan debt than I care to admit. But it was my decision, and I own it.

 

There’s been a lot of chatter in the news lately about student loan debt. With the total U.S. student loan debt reaching $1.75 million (mine included), the calls to forgive student loan debt have reached a crescendo—as if, if we scream it loud enough, the debt will just disappear into the ether. Removing the prospect of a presidential magic wand making it go away, the real question now is this: how do you save for the future, pay down your debt, and live fully?

I often read news articles detailing the hardship new graduates face when they struggle to pay down their loans and subsidize their lifestyles. I see a lot of finger-pointing toward a rigged system, corporations underpaying, or the predatory nature of lending. This isn’t to dismiss legitimate concerns of these institutions, but too often, I see a lack of personal agency. Behind some news articles, you find the subject of the article owns a Mercedes or rents an apartment that their social status dictates they should have but not the one their wallet demands. Take a step back.

Can you answer “yes” to these questions?

  • I know exactly how much money I’ll have at the end of the month.
  • I do not live paycheck to paycheck.
  • I can pay my bills and still save for wish list items.

If you answered “no” to any of those questions, it’s time to look at your current lifestyle. There’s an emotional component to finance that we often overlook. For many of us, our relationship with money becomes a reflection of who we are as a person. No one proudly admits they spend $150 on brunch a month. And no one boasts about their tendency to avoid their bank accounts out of fear of what the balance will be. After college, I had a coming-to-Jesus moment when I decided that to live my life fully, I needed to be the one who dictated where each and every dollar went. Enter zero-based budgeting.

If you’re not familiar with it, zero-based budgeting requires you to assign each and every dollar of your paycheck to a job. By assigning each dollar, it exposes your spending habits and tallies all the dollars and cents that have a sneaking tendency to add up well beyond your expectation. You must decide, “Do I need to budget $100 on Uber rides? I’d rather apply it to something else more important.” There is a mental calculation and trade off that must occur for you to affirm how your money is spent. There are several apps you can find to assist with this, such as You Need a Budget (YNAB) and EveryDollar. Having done this myself for a while now, I have found significant savings that I use to apply toward next month’s bills, thus providing me a safe buffer should I run into emergency expenses. I cook meals at home, and now suddenly I have $150 to allocate how I want (hello, Hawaii fund!).

Here’s the point: budgeting every dollar sets you free. It sounds counter-intuitive, but it’s not. I’ve been able to tell every dollar what to do. I can set goals for myself, make trade-offs, and avoid incurring more debt. That constant fear of not knowing if I’ll make it to the next paycheck has vanished. It’s also worth noting that while it may feel difficult at first to adjust, your income is likely to increase as you pay down your loans. Luckily, your spending habits will stick even as you increase your wealth.

How do you save for the future, pay your debt, and live fully? You take control of your financial situation—warts and all.

 

 

 

Disclosure: All opinions expressed in this article are for general informational purposes and constitute the judgment of the author(s) as of the date of the report. These opinions are subject to change without notice and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual or on any specific security. The material has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, however Merriman cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here may have been condensed or summarized from its original source.  Merriman does not provide tax, legal or accounting advice, and nothing contained in these materials should be taken as such.