Check out our May newsletter!
Follow us on:
CampbellWealth.com • (703) 535-5300 • 330 John Carlyle St., Suite 400, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Even When Apart, We’re Together
Our thoughts and prayers are with everyone dealing with the virus, including those who have fallen ill, those with loved ones who are ill, and those in the medical field who are on the front lines taking care of our community. We’re thinking of you as we slowly work our way to recovery. In the mix of it all, it seems that being stuck at home has become the new normal, at least for now. While there is light at the end of the tunnel, many people are continuing to work from home, or they’ve been furloughed, laid off, or they’re already retired. No matter your situation, we’re all in this together — even if we’re apart.
us go into the office if we need to. I’ve been working at the office here and there, and Mark Wagner, our Director of Investments, has been in as a well. But don’t worry! Our offices are at opposite ends of the building, so we are observing social distancing! And speaking of Mark, I really have to tip my hat to him and his team. They have been managing our portfolio exceptionally well! They have been working hard and it's paying off. Our portfolio was structured to not only work well when the market is up but also to continue to work well even when the market takes a hit. Despite the challenges of the last few months in terms of the
market, I’m happy where we currently stand. And I tip my hat to the rest of our team as well. They came together right when things started changing. We had a business continuation plan in place in the event our normal business was disrupted. We never expected to put this plan into effect quickly or for this long, but we did it and thanks to the Campbell Wealth team, it’s been working great! Our phone lines are open and we’re communicating with clients, whether it’s over the phone, via email, or virtually, using apps like GoToMeeting. We’ve even brought on a few new clients during all of this. It’s great to see as a firm that we can adapt and maintain “business as usual” — or as close to it as possible. On the home front, the kids are home from school. Connor, our oldest, is back from college and taking classes online. He’s been taking classes at Florence-Darlington Technical College, which also has a Division I baseball team. The baseball season was canceled along with in-person classes, but there was a piece of good
Many people have also found themselves with more free time than they used to have. You may be in the same boat. How are you using this time? If you’ve found yourself with an excess of time, then you might call it a silver lining and get creative with it. Maybe you’re going outside more. If you’ve been putting off gardening, that might be an option. You don’t even have to go out to get seeds. Everything can be found online, even gardening supplies! Now is also a good time to work out more or put together a healthier meal plan. As a family, we’ve been doing a lot more cooking. On the flip side, I know a lot of people are catching up on their Netflix and Hulu shows. It is a great time to find a new favorite TV show or movie. Families who may be separated by distance are coming together online. They’re playing online games together and having virtual dinners and happy hours. It’s wonderful how modern technology makes it easy to be together, even when we’re apart. At the office, we’ve been using technology to keep things going. Everyone is working from home, and it’s working well, though a few of
Continued on Page 3 ...
Call Us Today (703) 535-5300 • 1
The Benefits of Minimalism A Perfect
Lifestyle for Seniors
As we get older, we tend to hang on to mementos that brought some type of meaning to our lives, even after time has diminished their value. Though we may be emotionally attached, this clutter
not require emotional or physical strain, like old magazines, broken items, or clutter in the junk drawer. Once you’ve taken this first step, move on to something bigger. Soon, you’ll find yourself making steady and rewarding progress throughout the rest of your home. In the process, pay attention to what you want to keep. Carefully select which objects mean the most to you and which ones are still useful. These are the belongings you should surround yourself with. The Benefit of Minimalism Minimalism will help you feel more comfortable in your home and open up other possibilities. You will have more room to invite guests and family over, and you’ll have a sense of space and freedom. Additionally, this lifestyle can also help with your finances. You’ll be less tempted to buy what you don’t need, and you may even rearrange spending priorities or downsize your living space (less rent!). If you surround yourself with meaningful and useful items, you will feel more at peace. Ultimately, minimalism encourages us to free ourselves from the many things that own us as much as we own them. Don’t allow accumulated objects to clutter up your home and life. Take the leap and start living a carefree, minimalist lifestyle.
can eventually overwhelm us, especially as seniors. If you find yourself drowning in items you no longer need or want, consider a minimalist lifestyle to free up your space — and your mind. Minimalism Before taking on a minimalist lifestyle, it’s important to understand what it entails. When someone hears the word “minimalism,” they might think it means getting rid of their possessions one by one, but that’s not entirely true. Instead, minimalist living focuses on having less clutter in our lives but still keeping the things we truly value and enjoy. The idea is to get rid of things we no longer use or need. Minimalist Living To embark on a minimalist lifestyle, focus more on the present and consider the value your personal belongings have in your life now . Sorting through hundreds of items with thousands of memories is a daunting task, so it is best to start by removing things that might WatchOut for JOB-HUNTING SCAMS Many older adults in the U.S. look for supplemental work in retirement to stay active and reinforce their retirement income. This can give them more money to put toward their bucket list items, such as a trip. However, older adults who are in the market for a job should be aware of some common scams. Though the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is doing what it can to keep job seekers safe, AARP reports that scammers are on the lookout for job seekers, and they have a few tricks up their sleeves to try to get money or personal information. The FTC has logged over 101,000 complaints related to fraudulent or misleading jobs and job agencies over the last five years. In 2019, the FTC intervened and charged the firmWorldwide Executive Job Search Solutions LLC for contacting job seekers on LinkedIn and other job websites with the intent of scamming them. In this scheme, scammers used the common tactics of promising job seekers high-paying jobs and well-compensated opportunities to work fromhome. However, this company required job applicants to pay a fee—of up to $2,500— in order to secure an interview.
There are a number of common job scams to be aware of. One common scam occurs under the guise of headhunting, where a headhunter will reach out to tell you that “XYZ company” is interested in you, but you have to pay a fee upfront to move the process along. In another common scam, scammers will make fake job listings with the goal of obtaining personal information rather than money. They do this by asking job seekers to fill out an application that includes
personal details such as one’s name, address, phone number, and Social Security number. Some brave scammers may even ask for bank information. The problem is that the application is fake, and the person or company behind the job listing is only interested in collecting personal data, which they then sell to other scammers who may try to steal your identity. The FTC warns that job hunters should never share any sensitive personal or financial information upfront, especially their Social Security number, credit card number, or bank account information. If a prospective employer asks for a payment to set up an interview, then don’t respond. Move on to the next opportunity. On top of this, always vet potential employers or headhunting firms. The more informed you are before communicating interest in a job, the better. Watch for major red flags like application fees, or fees that pop up later, such as training or certification fees. Any job that requires specific training or certification should be 100% transparent about this upfront.
2 • CampbellWealth.com
THE PROS AND CONS OF BUYING A HOME IN A 55-PLUS COMMUNITY
Pro: Amenities are included. Most 55-plus communities include amenities like exercise classes and educational programs for their residents. They also invite community organizations and leaders to speak about local issues
Depending on your wants and needs, buying a home in a 55- plus community might be a financially savvy way to set yourself up for retirement. But is it the right decision for you? Here are a few financial pros and cons associated with moving into one of these neighborhoods. Pro: The homes are in excellent condition. Oftentimes, 55-plus communities provide maintenance services, including housekeeping and landscaping. Also, it’s likely that only a handful of people have occupied the home since it was built, so buying in a 55-plus community means you’ll get a property in excellent condition with less wear and tear. Con: You’ ll have to pay a monthly fee. Unfortunately, all the great stuff doesn’t come free. Usually, you’ll have to pay an extra monthly bill, similar to a homeowners association fee, to live in a 55-plus community. Some communities include all maintenance and amenities in the monthly rent or mortgage (some even cover utility bills), but make sure you understand what is and isn’t covered before you sign a contract!
A Special Thank You to Our Community “Rise above the storm and you will find the sunshine.” —Mario Fernandez, Artist, 1946-2012 In these challenging times, it can be hard to find the silver lining, but thanks to the hard work and dedication of countless men and women, recovery is on the horizon. At Campbell Wealth Management, we thank everyone who has put themselves on the front lines during the COVID-19 crisis to help make our community safer and a little more normal. Our thanks go out to everyone from first responders, police officers, firefighters, health care workers, grocery store clerks, restaurant employees, delivery drivers, and so many more. Thank you. We appreciate all you do. or upcoming elections. Some even have a clubhouse or dining hall for social gatherings. Save money by taking advantage of these programs instead of paying for a gym membership or a course at the local community college. Con: It’s a limited buyer’s and renter’s market. Most people who buy in a 55-plus community plan to retire there. If this is your original intention but your plans change down the road, you might have a harder time selling your home here than you would in a community that is open to people of all ages. Make sure to budget for those potential holding costs and plan accordingly. Regardless of where you decide to buy, be sure to consult an experienced real estate agent and a financial planner. Here’s to living out your golden years in comfort and convenience!
... Continued from Cover
news! Just before the season was canceled, Connor got an offer to play at the College of Charleston, in Charleston, South Carolina — and he accepted! Carter and Codie are also taking high school classes online. Classes have been canceled through the end of the school year, so they’ll finish up the semester at home. This hits a little harder for Carter, however; he won’t have a senior prom this year and won’t be able to walk the stage for graduation. It’s surreal that people everywhere, like Carter, will be missing out on life moments like this. Maybe we’ll find some way to make up for it and create some good memories. Kimhas been cooking just about every night. I will say, it seems we’ve been eating healthier as a family, so that’s good. We’ve been playing ping pong and pool together, and we’ve been watching a lot of movies. It’s been a great time to really reconnect as a family. Our lives have slowed down now that we are not all running in 10 different directions. It has been a blessing. In the meantime, I hope you are staying safe and healthy. We’re always a phone call away if you need anything, and if you have questions or concerns, the CWM team is here for you.
Kelly Campbell
Call Us Today (703) 535-5300 • 3
700 S. Washington St. Suite 220 Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (703) 535-5300 CampbellWealth.com
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
CampbellWealth.com (703) 535-5300 330 John Carlyle St., Suite 400 Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Inside
1 2
Even When Apart, We’re Together Minimalist Living for Seniors Watch Out for Job-Hunting Scams Is a 55-Plus Community Right for You? A Special Thank You to Our Community How to Avoid Allergies This Spring
3
4
Securities offered only by duly registered individuals through Madison Avenue Securities, LLC (MAS), member FINRA/SIPC. Advisory services offered only by duly registered individuals through Campbell Wealth Management, LLC (CWM), a Registered Investment Advisor. MAS and CWM are not affiliated entities.
Spring has officially sprung. Grass is growing, f lowers are blooming, and longer days are here again. And while the arrival of spring is a cause for celebration, for outdoor enthusiasts who suffer from seasonal allergies, the season is bittersweet. For many, this time of the year is characterized by stuffy noses, burning eyes, and sneezing. But according to WebMD, even severe allergy sufferers can enjoy the outdoors without worrying about allergies by taking the following precautions. Watch pollen counts. You can usually find information about local pollen levels on the internet or in your local newspaper. If pollen counts are through the roof, consider working out inside instead of running outside. In general, pollen counts are highest on warm and breezy mornings and lowest when it is cool and rainy. Plan your outdoor pursuits accordingly. Tackle Allergies THIS SPRING WithThese 3 Strategies
Change immediately after spending time outdoors. If you suffer from seasonal allergies but still love to exercise outdoors, build a habit of showering and changing immediately after coming back inside. While you were out crushing that 30-mile bike ride, pollen was slowly accumulating in your hair and on your clothes. And while 30 minutes of outdoor exercise will, according to WebMD, completely coat your nasal membrane with allergens, showering and laundering your clothing will limit your exposure while indoors. Medicate, medicate, medicate. Depending on the severity of your allergies, medication, not prevention, will likely provide the best relief available. Every person is different, so ask your doctor about the best medicine for you, and make sure you understand how you’re supposed to use it before dismissing its efficacy. Some allergy medicines can take as long as three weeks to reach their full effectiveness.
4 • CampbellWealth.com
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4Made with FlippingBook Learn more on our blog