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Temperatures are peaking and there’s no doubt that summer is here. With many parts of the US experiencing record temperatures this week and next, we hope you all are taking precautions to stay safe in the heat. No matter where you are, try to take in a bit of summer and make some memories with good company! | | |
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New Paraplanner – We are delighted to welcome Pavla Grover as our new virtual paraplanner. We are working with Pavla through an organization called Financial Services Outsourcing Solutions, based in Ohio. Pavla grew up in Czechia and moved to the U.S. in her teens. She holds a Bachelor degree in Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences from the University of Washington. Pavla spent 15 years working in municipal government providing customer service to residents of Bellevue, WA. For the last 6 years, she has been a paraplanner for financial professionals. Pavla currently resides in Phoenix, Arizona with her husband, son, and their dachshund. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and photography.
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No June Webinar – AFP will not be hosting a webinar this month. Stay tuned for more info about our July webinar.
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July: Mid-Year Investment Update
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August: Life/Disability Insurance
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Click below to read our June 2024 Blog edition.
The Golden Rules of Retirement Travel
We would enjoy receiving your feedback on our Blog. Please share any comments or suggestions for future topics with us via email.
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June seems to be flying by. After three weeks in the body shop, I got my car back. Someone had hit it parked next to my house. All good. My plants at the community garden are doing well and I am willing to share! Zucchini will be in the office next week. I had a wonderful trip to the West Coast attending a Certified Financial Transitionist program with other financial planners around the world. This is a growing area in our industry that has developed tools and processes to help clients navigate significant changes in their lives. I then drove up the coast hiking and spending time with clients and family. Looking forward to spending time with my grandsons over the next few weeks. | | | |
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Summer has been in full swing for us this month. Ellie went to her first summer camp last week and had a blast – lots of fun activities like zip lines and rock climbing, along with little sleep, made for a memorable week. Ainsley started piano lessons this month as well and is really enjoying them. She really seems to have a creative gene that is unique in my family, and it’s been really fun to watch her develop her creativity. In between there have been many trips to the library, while the pool pass has gotten a lot of use as well. Summer has gotten off to a great start and we’re looking forward to the next couple of months as well. | | | |
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Cayleigh’s Grad Party and Commencement Ceremony marked an appropriate end to one amazing journey and the beginning of another. Our schedule is booking up with travel, birthdays, OSU Orientation, and preparing for the move to campus. To kick off our summer fun, we attended the Rolling Stones concert in Cleveland last weekend. This weekend we’re visiting the Schnormeier Japanese Gardens in Gambier. The gardens are open to visitors on specific June dates including this weekend and next. Visit schnormeiergardens.org for details. Maybe I will see you there! | | | |
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I have spent a lot of time working outside this month. My garage has needed the vinyl siding replaced for a while now and we’ve finally had the time to address it. Unfortunately for us, that means being out in the 90+ degree heat. We’re about halfway done at this point, but one of the remaining sections has a number of rose bushes that are going to make it difficult to finish. | | |
Current Economic and Investment Information | |
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UNEVEN QUARTER – While the S&P 500 was up 3.17% QTD through 6/12, just 38.6% of the index’s components were up while 61.4% were down. The average market cap of the stocks that were higher was $163.8 billion compared to just $60.71 billion for the stocks that were down. (source: Bespoke)
TOOLBELT GENERATION – Student enrollment in vocational colleges rose 16% in 2023 compared to growth of just 0.8% across all four-year institutions. The median annual pay for new construction hires rose 5.1% in 2023 to $48,089 compared to a rise of just 2.7% to $39,520 for new hires in professional services. (source: National Student Clearinghouse, ADP)
OFF THE RECORD – The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) proposed a new rule to remove medical bills from credit reports beginning next year. The CFPB estimates that the rule will improve the credit scores of 15 million Americans and result in the approval of 22,000 additional mortgages each year. (source: CFPB)
DOES YOUR STATE TAX S.S. BENEFITS? – West Virginia lawmakers passed a law eliminating state taxes on Social Security benefits, with a 35% reduction for 2024 and full phaseout by 2026. Missouri and Nebraska also ended taxes on these benefits in 2024. There are now only 10 states, including WV, that still tax S.S. benefits (MT, MN, UT, CO, KS, NM, VT, RI, CT, & WV). (source: AARP)
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What Older Drivers Should Look For in a Vehicle | |
Click here to view the source. | |
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Best Tips For Navigating Pet Insurance
and Estate Planning Costs
We love our family pets. And despite the rising cost of veterinary bills, want them to live healthy lives, even after ours is over. Learn more about the personal-finance aspects of pet insurance and pet estate planning.
By Alyssa Enright
Source: The Street
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Whether fur, fin or feather, Americans dearly love their pets. And despite the rising cost of veterinary bills, also known as “Big Vet,” we want Tessie or Dexter to live their best lives -- even after their owners pass away. Enter the personal-finance aspects of pet insurance and pet estate planning.
A Human Animal Bond Research Institute survey of 16,000 dog and cat owners said that 95% consider their pet a part of their family and 86% would pay whatever it takes if their pet needed extensive veterinary care. The average cost of owning a pet can range from $700 to $1,100 per year, depending on the type of pet and its size, according to the ASPCA. Bigger animals typically eat more food. Older ones develop more medical issues.
Though nearly all pet owners would do anything for their pet’s care and well-being, sometimes there may be financial and other roadblocks. There are still many household animals without pet insurance or estate plans. Retirement Daily explores the latest on both to ensure a long and happy life for family pets.
Click here to read this article.
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How Your Car Can Keep You Safe
Modern vehicles are filled with tech to avoid a crash - here's what to look for
By Rick Debruhl
Source: AARP
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It’s been a quarter century since airbags became mandatory in new cars and light trucks sold in the United States. Frontal airbags alone have been credited with saving more than 50,000 lives, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says.
But the engineers behind automotive design didn’t stop there. As technology has advanced, so have safety features. And that’s good news for older drivers, says Josh Dunning, an AARP vice president and national director of AARP Driver Safety. “Technology in vehicles has significantly improved safety over the years and when used properly can offer strong additional protection,” he says.
Click here to continue reading this article.
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“In early June the world of leaf and blade and flowers explodes, and every sunset is different.”
- John Steinbeck
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Alexander Financial Planning | |
3600 Olentangy River Rd, Ste. C2
Columbus, OH 43214
614-538-1600
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Registered Investment Advisor
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This material is distributed by Alexander Financial Planning, Inc., (AFPI) and is for information purposes only. Although information has been obtained from sources we believe to be reliable, we do not guarantee its accuracy. It is provided with the understanding that no fiduciary relationship exists because of this report. Opinions expressed in this report are not necessarily the opinions of AFPI and are subject to change without notice. AFPI assumes no liability for the interpretation or use of this report. Financial planning, investment conclusions, and strategies suggested in this report may not be suitable for all investors and consultation with a qualified advisor is recommended prior to executing any investment strategy. No portion of this writing should be construed as legal or accounting advice. All rights reserved. | | |
© Alexander Financial Planning, Inc. | |
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