Natalia Kimberg, Financial Advisor with Raymond James

The markets responded with enthusiasm to lowering inflation and the potential end of the Fed's rate hikes, nearing or exceeding many headline indices' year-to-date highs. Read more in our November market recap.

Equities rebound in November, ending a three-month slide www.raymondjames.com

Even amid a volatile month, the strength of seven high-flying tech stocks has hidden how challenging the market has been for everyone else. Read more in the October market recap.

Markets haunted by looming uncertainty and volatility www.raymondjames.com

Research conducted by The Centre for Economic Policy Research indicated that companies navigating remote or hybrid workstyles are cutting office space to save money on empty space and calibrate for new ways of working that don't revolve around centralized offices

Remote work and its effect on real estate www.raymondjames.com

Structural problems in China. An inflation tick in the wrong direction. U.S. creditworthiness downgraded. These stories and others drove the markets in August. Read the recap to see how things shook out.

Market still in an uptrend despite cool August performance www.raymondjames.com

What is ESG / Sustainable / Impact investing?
It is the process of incorporating IMPACT information into decision-making by a money manager or institutional investor

Why incorporate this information?
1. Practical risk management element - impact information is used to identify longer-term risks to complement corporate earnings information (tends to be shorter-term in nature)
2. Alignment with personal ethos of the investor

How is this information obtained by money managers?
To incorporate impact information, we must first OBTAIN this information. This is a big challenge and one with a rapidly developing set of solutions. There are commercial rating agencies, third-party interest groups, first-hand research by fund/money managers and sustainability reports that the corporations themselves put out. It's not perfect yet, but the industry is working to make it better.

Does it make a difference?
☑By requesting information we are already affecting change. The simple act of shining a light on a corporate practice with a negative impact, that has been previously kept out of the public eye, can be enough to spur action to change it.
☑Many fund managers engage in direct dialogue with companies in which they invest. They also propose and vote on shareholder resolutions regarding changes they want to see (proxy voting).
☑Investor money continues to flow into sustainable funds, increasing the incentive for corporations to report their sustainability practices and incorporate sustainable practices into their business

What do you think?
I would love to hear from you in the comments section.

Understanding your risk profile is an important component of managing wealth.

Nobody wants to financially erode the portfolio they've built by making risky choices at the wrong time. Taking on investment risk can feel uncomfortable. As vital as wealth preservation is, especially when nearing retirement, returns are still an important consideration.

So how do you get over the risk hurdle? Research shows your financial advisor can help. Those who work with an advisor perceive potential higher-risk investments with less negativity. They're also more apt to recognize the importance of holding thoughtfully selected risk within an investment portfolio compared with wealthy investors who don't partner with an advisor.

But how risky is too risky when it comes to wealth preservation and generating returns for investors? You might be surprised

Identify the connection between net worth and risk tolerance www.raymondjames.com

Gone are the days of staying at the same job with the same company for decades. In fact, people aren't even staying in the same line of work for a whole career anymore. According to research from the U.S. Department of Labor, the average American worker will change careers five to seven times throughout their life, and approximately 30% of the workforce now changes jobs every 12 months.

People are changing jobs for one reason or another – more money, less stress, more opportunity, more stability – and often their employer retirement account is not what's top of mind. But when you're switching jobs, you should always understand the status of your retirement account. Where is it held? How is it invested? What are the rules for transfers or withdrawals?

Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you embark on your new opportunity and leave the past in the rearview (except for your retirement account, of course).

Navigating employer retirement plans www.raymondjames.com

Preparing your heirs for sudden wealth can help prevent unwise spending.

If you have wealth to transfer, you may worry about the sometimes adverse effect of sudden wealth and the squandering of assets within a generation.

There is a good reason to be concerned: 70% of family money disappears by the second generation, and 90% by the third generation, according to the Williams Group wealth consultancy. The cautionary tales of families like the Vanderbilts also feed into this worry.

The result? Around 60% of parents think their children aren't prepared to receive a large inheritance, a study by U.S. Trust shows.

If you're in this position, you have a number of options to help ensure your legacy lasts.

For a full article, click on the link or visit: https://bit.ly/3NICpDk

Tips for creating an inheritance that lasts generations www.raymondjames.com

Sustainable Investing is not just for women and millennials - more than 25% of global assets have some basis in sustainable strategies, driven by institutional and individual investors.

72% of US Investors surveyed in 2019 expressed at least moderate interest in sustainable investing, with NO statistically significant preferences by gender or age.

Sources: Raymond James 2021, US SIF's 2018 Global Sustainable Investment Review; Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment;
The Investment Integration Project; Money Management Institute; Journal of Sustainable Finance & Investment;
Global Sustainable Investment Alliance; Morningstar, "The True Faces of Sustainable Investing," 2019

Investing involves risk and you may incur a profit or loss regardless of the strategy selected. Because SRI criteria exclude certain
securities/products for non-financial reasons, investors may forego some market opportunities available to those who do not use
these criteria. Investors should consult their investment professional prior to making an investment decision.
© 2021 Raymond James & Associates, Inc., member New York Stock Exchange/SIPC. © 2021 Raymond James Financial Services, Inc.,
member FINRA/SIPC. Investment products are: not deposits, not FDIC/NCUA insured, not insured by any government agency, not bank guaranteed, subject to risk and may lose value. Raymond James® is a registered trademark of Raymond James Financial, Inc.

Financial planning is a way to take control of your finances and work towards a better future. It starts by understanding your current financial situation, including your income, expenses, assets, and debts. Many of us avoid doing this because it can feel uncomfortable and daunting, especially when it comes to dealing with debt.

It's no secret that debt can come in many forms, from student loans to outstanding credit card bills. To simplify your life – especially later life – you may benefit from consolidating your debt, which works by merging all your debt into one loan. This could ultimately help you streamline your finances, reduce the number of payments and allow you to access more favorable interest rates.

I have put together three considerations for your long-term financial plan.

(1) Carefully consider your position before breaking down any debt.

Debt consolidation is only one strategy that might help you alleviate debt-related struggles. Accept that there's rarely ever a perfect solution – every option has its downsides. Take an honest look at any debt you owe and where it came from. Recognize your spending habits so that new problems don't appear when trying to solve old ones. And understand the consequences of breaking down your debt – for example, the impact it might have on your credit score or the difference between long-term interest rates and lower introductory interest rates.

(2) Calculate a realistic budget.

There's never a bad time to revisit your financial budget. To work out if debt consolidation is possible – let alone advantageous – you need to have a strong sense of how much your monthly outgoings are, the total payoff period for any long-term debt owed and how much you stand to pay in interest or other charges. When calculating your budget – which should include any debt payments – start by categorizing your expenses based on how essential or important they are to you. As you consider your long-term financial goals, having a budget to refer to will make it clearer if debt consolidation methods like a loan or balance transfer credit cards will lead to more affordable monthly payments.

(3) Seek support to improve your credit score.

Debt consolidation typically requires applying for a new loan or credit card. With that comes a hard credit inquiry that might cause your credit score to dip. But if consolidating your debt helps you to meet your monthly payments, pay off revolving lines of credit or even make early lump sum debt payments, your credit score may gradually improve over time. And if you're able to find a credit card to consolidate your debt with a zero-percent introductory APR, you can eliminate the interest you pay for a time.

Do you have any questions about debt consolidation or other financial topics? I want to help make sure you're on track to reach your financial goals! DM me with your questions

Love and money can be complicated. According to research by Ramsey Solutions, money is the number one reason married couples fight and a leading cause of divorce. These tips will help you no matter your marital status.

Your Guide to Marriage and Money www.raymondjames.com

As our lives become more digitally integrated, our data becomes more valuable. This makes data privacy more vital than ever to protect against fraud. Here are a few precautions that you can take to manage your personal information safely,

Make data privacy a priority in 2023 www.raymondjames.com

To mitigate risk, separate your personal and business assets

To mitigate risk, separate your personal and business assets www.raymondjames.com

When talking about sustainability in fashion, the industry is encompassing everything from packaging to sourcing eco-friendly materials and increased diversity, equity and inclusion at every rung on the corporate ladder. Learn more here:

Sustainability is more than a trend in the fashion industry www.raymondjames.com

You'll be required to go through an extensive process to verify your identity and create an Identity Protection PIN through the IRS secure site – an additional layer of protection for you against tax fraud and identity theft

5 tips to avoid getting scammed at tax time www.raymondjames.com

When it comes to your long-term care, it's important to get to know those who are there for you. Check out this list of the most crucial members in your "circle of care." https://www.raymondjamesconnect.com/aMNl8N

There are many different types of family trusts. Which is best for you? Learn about the most common trusts.

What Is A Family Trust, And How Do You Set One Up? www.forbes.com

Increasingly, consumers are demanding more sustainable products and services. When it comes to these demands for sustainable alternatives, finance is no exception.

Overall, this trend is encouraging. But consumers need to be cautious. With the rising demand for ESG products, there have been more and more concerns about "greenwashing" within the financial industry.

Greenwashing, for those unfamiliar with the term, is using exaggerations or false claims to market a product or service as sustainable.

So, for the consumer who wants to invest in funds that align with their sustainable values — what's the right path forward?

Because ESG investing is becoming so popular among investors, there is an increasing number of people who are starting to question whether certain players attempting to mislead and profit from an increasingly conscientious consumer base.

As a result, doubt is surfacing about the true impact of these funds. This is where accusations of greenwashing come into play.

"If companies want to present themselves in the best light, they are free to pick and choose the
data that works best for them. Greenwashing is tempting because a positive message can be
made without risk of repercussion. A company may claim to be ‘clean', but what does that
mean?" notes John Leemhuis, owner and founder of Leemhuis Legal, PLLC.

Because of the lack of standards when it comes to ESG ratings, Leehuis says, it's tough for investors to really see what's going on.

HOW TO NAVIGATE ESG INVESTING

So, as a conscious consumer, how do you navigate the complicated landscape of ESG investing and greenwashing? Unfortunately, it's not always easy.

Read this article in full, including my suggestions on how to navigate ESG investing by clicking on the link below.

If you have questions about ESG investing or simply want to learn more, please reach out to me at [email protected] or leave a comment below. https://www.raymondjamesconnect.com/aPL3jw

Advanced technologies like DNA testing and IVF can create new issues in estate planning. Are your docs in a row? Learn more.

How DNA testing can change more than just family dynamics www.raymondjames.com

LA's water department offers residential customers rebates of up to $15,000 to replace their grass turf with California-friendly plants, as well as free online classes about yard transformation

‘The American lawn feels irresponsible’: the LA homes ditching grass for drought-friendly gardens www.theguardian.com

How to prepare the rising generation to manage the family estate plan? Click below to learn more from this Family Wealth Report article written by Ella Chase

How to Prepare Rising Generations to Manage the Family Estate - Family Wealth Library (MTM Month 4) www.familywealthlibrary.com

Values are caught, not taught." Click below to learn how to pass on values from this
Family Wealth Report article

How To Pass On Your Values to the Next Generation- Family Wealth Library (MTM Month 3) www.familywealthlibrary.com

Find out why there has been a recent spike in discussions surrounding Roth IRA conversion, and if it's something that you should consider for yourself:

To convert, or not to convert to Roth IRA – tax is the question www.raymondjames.com

When you own multiple homes, there are potential income streams and overall tax considerations to think about. Learn more about the options to make the most of your home ownership.

The appeal and reality of multiple home ownership www.raymondjames.com

Designated beneficiaries (heirs who are not one of the following: a spouse, minor child, disabled, chronically ill or not more than 10 years younger than the original IRA owner) who inherited an IRA from 2020 to 2021 and are subject to the 10-year rule will not face any RMD withdrawal penalties until 2023

IRS suspends missed RMD penalty for certain inherited IRAs www.raymondjames.com

In a broad sense, sustainability is the ability of a system — organizational, economic, and environmental — to maintain itself indefinitely. We don't often think about sustainability as a way to combat inflation, but it can be a strategy do just that.
When inflation rises quickly, it's tempting to stop thinking about the future – instead, you're concerned about the present.

But are there better ways to combat inflation than penny-pinching and deprivation? How can you make wise investment choices now and give yourself more opportunities and purchasing power in the future?

Consider the following 4 sustainable thinking ideas - borrowed from the business world - as strategies for combating inflation.

1. Think sustainable and long-term

Picture your household as a sustainable business, every decision should start with your mission statement. Your mission statement should include:

*Your values: What's important to you?
*Your goals: what do you want?
*Your why: why do you want it?

2. Spend with purpose

Now that you have a mission statement to work with, you can start making better financial decisions. First, you can confidently spend with purpose on things that matter to you while cutting back on less important expenses.

When you do spend, spend with purpose. This means reframing "spending" as investing in a better life. Invest in products or services that will improve your life by saving you time, money, or both.

3. Invest in yourself and future opportunities

If your job didn't exist tomorrow, would you have the confidence to pivot in your career? Could you invest in a new certification or degree that would give you more opportunities or earning potential? Could you work on improving your mental health to improve your resiliency during difficult situations?

For example, prioritize in "me time" to fill your cup or network within and outside your organization to expand your opportunities.

4. Shift the risk

The final critical strategy for combating inflation is to manage your risk as much as you can. Inflation might be your current stressor, but managing risk is something you should do to help withstand any future obstacles you might encounter — like the loss of a job, for example.

Here are a few ways to manage your household's economic risk:

*Insure yourself and your household
*Build an emergency fund
*Invest in multiple income streams
*Have a "Plan B"

Once you take a look at how and why you're spending, you can create an investment plan based on your goals and values. Saving, spending, and investing in alignment with your mission statement will help you weather any challenge — financial or otherwise.

If you want to partner with an advisor who can help you align your values with your wealth-building plan, please contact me by visiting my website: https://raymondjames.com/nataliakimberg. https://www.raymondjamesconnect.com/a9eZ5_

There are quite a few key deadlines between now and New Years. Mark your calendar, and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

Add important financial deadlines to your year-end calendar www.raymondjames.com

This fall, all eyes will be on the Fed as it continues to push its offense against inflation. Can it prevail without kicking the economy into a recession? Read more in the latest edition of Investment Strategy Quarterly.

Investment Strategy Quarterly: A Time for Finesse grapevinesix.s3.amazonaws.com

Virgin Atlantic announces an update to its gender identity policy and removes requirement for its people to wear gendered uniform options.

Virgin Atlantic commissioned research that revealed what we all suspected to be true: "research finds that allowing staff to embrace their individuality at work increases mental wellbeing (49%), feelings of happiness (65%) and creates a better experience for staff and customers (24%)"

I applaud this change in policy. I work in an industry where dressing a certain way is expected - primarily being "business formal" in dress style.

The corporate/business look is comfortable for some, but it leaves little room to express our true personality through appearance - especially for men.

Please let me know your thoughts - does "corporate" equal "professional"? In a job where trust is extremely important, does it make us more trustworthy if we dress like our true selves at work? Fellow advisors, what do you think?

Virgin Atlantic updates gender identity policy corporate.virginatlantic.com

Kickstart your tax season planning with this list of important deadlines, relevant documents and strategy considerations.

Your year-end tax planning checklist www.raymondjames.com

Between 80% - 90% of women will, at some point in their lives, be solely responsible for all household financial decisions.

Women stand to inherit the majority of $30 trillion in intergenerational wealth transfers in the United States over the next decade.

At the same time… 69% of women do not consider themselves to be investors.

Let's change this narrative.

Please join us for a 30-minute webinar. We will talk about unique financial planning considerations and ways to feel confident about investing.

Register via this link: https://bit.ly/3AK4Nyf

Sources: BlackRock; McKinsey & Company, "Women as the next wave of growth in US wealth management", 2020; BCG, "Managing the Next Decade of Women's Wealth", 2020 https://www.raymondjamesconnect.com/asM_my

Soaring inflation, a tightening Fed and geopolitical strife made for a challenging start to 2022. CIO Larry Adam looks beyond the daily headlines in the latest edition of Investment Strategy Quarterly.

Investment Strategy Quarterly | July 2022 ISQ July 2022.pdf

With inflation in the driver's seat, it may be a bumpy road ahead for equity markets. Read more from Michael Gibbs, Managing Director, and Joey Madere, CFA, Senior Portfolio Analyst, Equity Portfolio & Technical Strategy.

How will equity markets weather inflation fears? www.raymondjames.com

The Fed has changed its tone with a 75-basis point rate hike. The more assertive policy stance may increase the probability of a recession in late 2023.

Fed gets aggressive on inflation with 75 basis point rate hike www.raymondjames.com

The strongest and shortest bull market on record has officially ended, fueling investor frustration and fear. While volatility can make it difficult to envision a brighter future, CIO Larry Adam offers three dynamics that can keep things in perspective.

3 things to remember in manic markets www.raymondjames.com

Part of building a tailored financial plan is matching your unique goals with strategies to support them. Take a look at different approaches geared toward wealth preservation, long-term care and legacy planning.

Annuity strategies aren't one-size-fits-all [INFOGRAPHIC] www.raymondjames.com

As the sustainable investing space evolves, investors of just about any net worth have more opportunities to create positive social or environmental impact and achieve long-term financial goals

The benefits of investing with intention www.raymondjames.com

If you're able to use the funds for qualified expenses, there will not be any penalty or income tax associated with the withdrawal

Which education expenses are considered qualified? www.raymondjames.com

Inflation. It's making economic and market headlines, but its impacts are also very personal - retirees in particular are feeling the effects of rising healthcare costs. Learn how to prevent unexpected medical expenses from derailing your long-term plans.

How to Combat Healthcare Cost Inflation in Retirement www.raymondjames.com

For high-net-worth families, the scheduled December 31, 2025, sunset of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's favorable estate tax changes may cause concern. Here are a few things to think about.

As the tax law sunset nears, review savvy gifting solutions www.raymondjames.com