It’s OK to ‘Treat Yo’ Self’ WHY RETIREMENT PLANNING SHOULD INCLUDE FUN!
An excerpt from my Amazon best-selling book “The Generational Wealth System” highlights a commonly forgotten element in financial planning: the fun of enjoying what you’ve earned! “’Treat yo’ self!’ is one of my favorite lines from the television series ‘Parks and Recreation.’ Characters in the series repeatedly use this line to justify a day of unbridled pampering and spending. Sure, it was reckless to watch, but at the same time, it was therapeutic for the characters experiencing it. Despite the comedic element, there is some sound wisdom behind the phrase. You’ve probably earned the right to ‘treat yo’ self’ occasionally, and it should be part of the plan.” This was pulled from one of the chapters I most enjoyed writing, “Celebrate Abundance”! (If you don’t have a copy already, see the website Wealth-Book.com for more info.) Many traditional financial and retirement planning elements focus on expenses, long-term care, and emergency preparedness. While these are valuable and a large part of building security for your future, financial planning should also provide an opportunity for you to live your lifestyle — with all the treats and indulgences you want — without feeling guilty about it. It must be a process designed to fund your life, whatever that may look like.
As I write about in “The Generational Wealth System,” I encourage clients to plan for a “play”
check, which is money they can spend as they please, whenever they
want! Use this money to fund a day trip or an expensive date
night with your spouse. Take your grandchildren to the zoo, buy the item you have been eyeing for months, spend a few afternoons on the golf course, or spoil yourself with a spa day. Whatever the “fun” of life looks like for you, your financial plan can be built to include it. Remember, finances don’t always have to be serious. When you create a plan that is designed to protect your goals, provide you with support in an emergency, and supply a few funds for something fun each month, that’s how you know you’re planning with the right mindset.
If this article sparked a concern about your plan, please schedule a consultation with my team today.
Protect Your Identity and Kick Scammers to the Curb 5 Ways to Deal With Annoying Robocalls —Krista McBeath
According to the latest data, scammers and telemarketers make 1,528 robocalls to Americans every single second . No wonder they’re driving us all crazy! Some of these calls are legitimate reminders about doctor’s appointments and payment plans, but around 55% of them are just nuisances — and we can’t rely on the government to stop them. If you’re sick of hearing about “your car’s extended warranty” or the “student loans” you paid off 40 years ago, try these five tips to cut down on robocalls and outwit scammers. 1. Explore your carrier’s free tools. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon all offer services to cut down on scam calls. Some of them are free and/or come with your phone, but others you have to pay for or activate. If you have Verizon, for example, you can download the “Verizon Call Filter” app from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Visit your carrier’s website or call them to learn about the tools they offer. 2. Download an ad blocker. For extra protection, you can download a separate ad blocker from the Apple App Store or Google Play. Hiya is a free app that will give you caller ID and block spam calls,
and Nomorobo is an award-winning option that’s free for landlines and costs $1.99 per month for cellphones.
3. When in doubt, let it ring out. If you don’t recognize the number calling, don’t answer. You can always call back if they leave a legitimate voicemail. 4. Suspect spam? Hang up. So, you accidentally answered a spam call. Whether it’s a person or a robot on the line, hang up immediately! Even saying your name or the word “yes” could set you up for identity theft. 5. Handle voicemails with care. If you get a suspicious voicemail, never call the number or visit the website given by the caller. Instead, Google the company or agency they claimed to be with and call that number. If the real agency has no idea about the call, you’ve just escaped a trap. By taking all five of these steps, you can protect yourself and your wallet from Ponzi schemes, identity thieves, and annoying telemarketers. For even more specific advice, visit AARP.com and search “The Definitive Guide to Reducing Robocalls.”
2 McBeathFinancialGroup.com
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