FMI Financial

Considering a big financial move? Today’s uncertainty means extra decisions and it’s hard to sort through the options. Don’t go it alone. I’m offering a FREE Financial Clarity Session. Just click to sign up.

Get a FREE Financial Clarity Session Not sure which option is best? Here's what to do

Why do corrections happen? When will the next one strike? Check out this month’s Visual Insights Newsletter to arm yourself with the information you need to make smart decisions during a correction.

How Corrections Work & Why It Matters to Investors If you know the facts, corrections aren't that scary.

Today’s environment is more uncertain than ever. Considering a big financial decision? Don’t go it alone. I’m offering a FREE Financial Clarity Session. Just click to sign up.

financeinsights.net

Smart investors don’t make knee jerk decisions when markets slide. Prep yourself before the next correction strikes. Click here to learn more.

What You Need to Know About Market Corrections Don't let the frenzy guide your choices in corrections.

Not sure how to kick off a big financial move in today’s uncertain world? Get clarity and the steps toward the optimal strategy in a FREE Financial Clarity Session. Just click to sign up.

What's Your Next Big Financial Move? Get a FREE Financial Clarity Session for help

A lot of things can make markets tumble: bubbles, the economy, pandemics, and good old investor psychology. Unfortunately, a lot of folks make precisely the wrong decision with their investments when one strikes. Check out this month’s Visual Insights Newsletter to arm yourself with facts.

Why It's a Mistake to Worry About Market Corrections Panicked investors tend to make these mistakes.

Facing a big financial decision? I’m offering a FREE Financial Clarity Session to help get clear on your options. Just click to sign up.

Get a FREE Financial Clarity Session Get clear on your options and next steps

Are market corrections gut-churning? Learn the critical facts so you can avoid the most common (and costly!) mistakes when the next one strikes.

What Smart Investors Know About Corrections Get the facts about corrections so you don't panic.

Are you smarter than the average bear when there’s a bull market? Do you know how to sift through the noise, and separate fact from fiction when the markets go crazy? Take this quick 2-minute quiz to find out how prepared you are to deal with these crazy market cycles. Check it out!

Can You Get 100% on a Simple Bear vs. Bull Market Quiz? If not, you could learn a new fact about the markets

Your investment strategy is important, but it’s just one piece of the money puzzle.

✅ Cash - How much cash should I have? Where should I keep it?

✅ Debt - Should I pay down my mortgage or invest?

✅ Taxes - Should I make Pre-Tax or Roth contributions?

✅ Employer Stock - How do I maximize my stock options and RSU grants?

✅ Insurance - What kind and how much life insurance do I need?

✅ Kids - Which accounts should I use for education savings?

✅ Estate Plan - What do I need for a proper estate plan?

When you make sure that all of these pieces are working in the best way possible, you can reach your goals that much faster.

When the markets get crazy, people get emotional. Even the smartest investors can get impulsive and make short-sighted decisions. How well do you know the market? Test your knowledge on market basics with this quick 2-minute quiz.

How much do you know about bear vs. bull markets? Test your knowledge with a 7-question quiz!

Today's the one day it's okay to put all of your eggs in one basket. Happy Easter!

To all of our friends celebrating, we hope you have a very Happy Passover.

Instead of going down the Google rabbit hole, contact us the next time you have a question.

What's your most pressing question?

Being in the 32% tax bracket does not mean you paid 32% in taxes.

Marginal vs. Effective tax rates.

You have to know the difference for effective tax planning.

In the U.S., your income is taxed at different rates (brackets) as you earn more income.

The tax rate paid on the last dollar you earned is your marginal tax rate.

Taxes paid / Taxable income = Effective tax rate

As shown, these can be very different numbers.

Most people know their marginal tax rate.

But you need to know your effective tax rate for a solid tax strategy.

Rebalancing your portfolio helps you keep your eye on the big picture.

Over time, your strategy can become more aggressive or conservative than you originally intended.

Rebalancing will bring you back to your original targets and avoid bigger potential swings to your balance.

How much do you know about bull vs. bear markets? People who know more about market behavior are less likely to make hasty decisions based on emotion and misinformation. Click here to take a quick, 2-minute quiz and find out.

Do You Know the Basics About Bear & Bull Markets? Take a 2-min. quiz & see if you really know the basics

Filing your tax return isn’t a tax plan.

Your tax return is like your report card on taxes.

Did you pay what you should and avoid where you could?

You need to:

✅ Understand the taxes you pay
✅ Pay for long term benefit (ex. tax-free growth)
✅ Maximize other deductions
✅ Find eligible tax credits
✅ Make sure your investments are tax-efficient

Other big benefits of having a tax plan?

No tax bill surprises and your money is working year-round instead of tied up in a future refund.

How’s your tax plan looking?

When markets get volatile, it can be easy to let emotions take over your judgment and decision-making. Even the smartest investors can get impulsive and make rash decisions when dramatic market changes happen. Do you know enough about bear and bull markets to make a sound decision - no matter how the market is behaving? Test your knowledge with this quick 2-minute quiz.

Bear vs. Bull Quiz: How Much Do You Know? Test your brain on the fundamentals with a fun quiz

Amazon announced a 20-for-1 stock split.

Hold your excitement. No one’s getting rich.

The value of your position stays exactly the same.

1 share @ $3,000 = $3,000
20 shares @ $150 = $3,000

So, what’s the point in doing a split?

The real value is in the optics.

Stock splits are a marketing strategy.

The stock price goes from about $3,000/share to $150/share to attract more retail investors into the stock.

THAT is where the value is.

Stocks are down big. Get excited!

Don’t react emotionally. Think strategically.

There are opportunities in every market pullback.

Here are a few strategies to consider when stocks are down.

IMPORTANT! Recent tax changes introduced new wrinkles to be aware of. Download this FREE guide to take control and help make the most of these opportunities to save money on taxes BEFORE laws change again.

FREE GUIDE: Act before rules change again You could pay more in the future unless you take action

Tax-free savings opportunities are rare, but we found them!

Here are 5 ways for you to maximize .

https://www.fmifinancial.com/post/5-tax-free-growth-opportunities

5 Tax-Free Growth Opportunities When it comes to retirement savings, the accounts you use are just as important – if not more important – as how much you’re saving and investing. It's all about maximizing your keep, and taxes are a big part of that.

Feeling the heat of the market? Let's create a plan.

Schedule your free consultation today.

https://www.fmifinancial.com/bookings

Looking for ways to reduce your 2021 tax bill?

You have until April 15th to max out your IRA and/or HSA contributions.

Could tax rules change next year? Maybe! Download this FREE guide to take control and help make the most of these opportunities to lower taxes BEFORE you file. Want advice now? Call 630.645.3828 to get questions answered in a complimentary 1-on-1 appointment.

These may be the lowest tax rates you'll ever see [FREE GUIDE] TIME-SENSITIVE: Act now to take full advantage of these potential tax savings

“How do I make work optional?”

Minimize your opportunity costs.

In other words, make every dollar count.

Cash
🔹️ Enough to avoid debt and sell investments
🔹️ Not too much because it guarantees you a loss

Debt
🔹️ Use it strategically
🔹️ Assess benefit of paying off debt first

Investing
🔹️ Get started ASAP
🔹️ Use the right accounts (prioritize tax-free)
🔹️ Don’t time the market

Taxes
🔹️ Avoid big refunds and tax bills
🔹️ Pay less taxes, period - not just this year

Life Insurance
🔹️ Know how much you need
🔹️ Buy the right policies (hint: shouldn’t be expensive)

Most people don’t love their day jobs.

Some would just like to do it part-time.

Follow these tips and you’ll be living life on your terms.

What’s the biggest financial mistake people make?

Not having a purpose.

Knowing why you wake up and do what you do every day.

Your purpose drives why you:
- spend the way you spend
- save where you save
- invest the way you invest
- pay the taxes you pay
- have the insurance you have
- have the estate plan you have

When all of these decisions are designed to support your why, then you’re more engaged, confident, and likely to stick with your plan.

What’s your purpose?

I’ll trade you $2,300 a month for $500,000.

Doesn’t sound too appealing right?

A couple had a lot of extra cash and no plan.

YouTube “experts” and family were saying to pay cash for their house.

“No debt, and you’ll save $2,300 a month!!” they said.

Let’s look at the numbers.

$500,000 / $2,300 = 217 months

So, it would take 217 months of saving $2,300 to get their $500,000 back.

That’s 18 years.

Let’s look at it from an investing perspective.

Time is your most valuable asset. ⏰

Would you rather have $500,000 invested for the next 18 years or $2,300 a month invested over the next 18 years?

This one decision could have set them back years on their goals.

Moral of the story?

Money with no plan is worthless.

“Is college really worth it?”

YES, but don’t just follow the herd.

Thinking “This is what everyone does” or “It is what it is” is the wrong mentality.

Student loans became a crisis because most borrowers lack a strategy.

Do you know what you want to be?

Yes ➡️ Don’t borrow more than the average starting salary.
No ➡️ Go to community college or be an apprentice.

If you’re likely to change majors, spend $5k on your first year instead of $40k.

Education is priceless but spend intentionally.

If you don’t, your degree will be worthless.