Financial Tips For First Time Snowbirds Heading South For The Winter

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

As temperatures start to decline, we know some of you may be preparing to head south for the winter in order to escape the cold that Long Island and the surrounding areas experience. But, before you can get back to enjoying the warm weather, there are several things that need to be taken care of - the house needs to be locked up, the post office should be notified, you may even need to turn off some utilities. However, in addition to these very important tasks, there is one other item that must be checked off of your to-do list in order to have a relaxing few months where the sun continues to shine, and that's to look over your finances. Below, we've outlined tips that can help you when you get to this part of the preparing process:

Find a nearby bank: Since you'll need to access your bank account at some point during the few months that you're down south, you should know where your bank's nearest chain is located. In the event that there isn't one where you're headed, you should then give your local bank a call to find out how you can access your money and account should the situation call for it.

Locate health care professionals: In addition to finding a bank, first time snowbirds should also be on the lookout for health care professionals that they can turn to should they require their services. That means it's time to start researching doctors, dentists, pharmacies and hospitals in your area!

Speak to a neighbor: Installing a high tech security system that allows you to monitor your home from a different state can be pretty costly, so you may want to speak to a neighbor that you trust about watching your home for you. Additionally, since you'll still be responsible for clearing your walk-way in the event of a snowstorm, you may want to ask if someone on the block can lend a helping hand so that you don't have to hire an expensive snow removal team.

Alert credit card companies: Just because you're in a different state doesn't mean you aren't responsible for monthly expenses! Unless you pay online, you should let your credit card companies know about your new address so that you can be sure your bills arrive at the right place. After all, you wouldn't want to be responsible for late fees simply because you didn't know certain statements arrived!

Although getting ready to head down to warmer states is an exciting time for those of you who are planning to, it's important not to overlook any money related matters before you go - that's why we at American Investment Planners LLC suggest taking care of the above now so that the day of your departure is a breeze!

American Investment Planners LLC offers tax planning, estate planning, retirement planning and more to generations of families throughout the United States. More information about the services offered is available at www.americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Ways To Save For The Holidays

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

Can you believe that Halloween is just one week away? With the holiday season approaching very quickly, we wouldn't be surprised if you've already started to think about the shopping that must be done. However, being that this is one of the more expensive seasons of the year, you might be thinking more along the lines of how you can cover holiday costs rather than the items you anticipate needing to purchase. Before the big Black Friday shopping frenzy hits, here are four ways that you can start to save:

Limit your spending: Although there are some monthly payments you just can't escape, there are certainly ways that you can limit your spending over the next few weeks. For example, you don't need to eat lunch or dinner out multiple times a week, and you can probably live without that new pair of shoes (and if you really want them, put them on your own holiday wish-list!).

Create a change jar: What do you do with all of the change you find in your wallet or pockets? If you usually just fling it anywhere when you get home, find a jar that you can use to begin collecting it all. While it may not seem like much at first, you'd be surprised how quickly a few quarters and dimes can add up.

DIY: It's only natural for your home to have some bumps and bruises that need to be repaired, but that doesn't always mean you need to call in a team of professionals. Should something come up that needs fixing, see how much you can do on your own to reduce the amount of money that comes out of your pocket.

Utilize coupons: Coupons aren't just valuable during the holiday season - they're great year round! Whether it be for groceries, gas, clothes - whatever it is you need at the time - utilize any coupons you have while they are still valid. Even if the savings are small, every little bit counts!

The holidays are meant to be a time of joy and cheer, so don't let yourself get stressed out over the costs associated with the season - start saving now instead! Sound like a plan?

Aside from the holidays, we at American Investment Planners LLC know that there are other circumstances where money can cause a bit of a headache, which is why we strive to reduce the amount of stress our clients feel from their finances. Through our retirement planning, estate planning and tax planning services (just to name a few), we can develop a strategy that sets you on a path towards financial success.

For more information about our financial planning services, please give us a call at (516) 932-5130.

Where Should Snowbirds Retire To?

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

If you're a native Long Islander, then you are certainly no stranger to the harsh weather that our winters can bring. And between the cold, snow and ice, even a mix of all three, we wouldn't be surprised if your post retirement plan is to pack up and leave! But where should you go, exactly? While most people might say "Florida," you'll need to start thinking a bit more specifically if relocation is really in your future; here's where U.S. News and World Report suggests:

1. Key West: Did you know that Key West is known to be one of the hottest places in the mainland? If cold temperatures are the last thing you want to experience later in life, you may find comfort in this part of the Florida Keys.

2. Fort Myers: Another Florida favorite for retirees is Fort Myers. Geographically located near the Gulf of Mexico, this particular area may be the perfect destination for those who want their winters to reflect warm summer temps.

3. Orlando: You don't have to be a Disney fan to enjoy this sunny spot! (But if you are, it's definitely a plus.) Recording an average temperature of about 73 degrees for the past 30 years, Orlando is an area you'll definitely want to consider if you just want to sit back and relax.

Aside from Florida, where else can you go if you'd like to escape the cold? When you think about heading south, you may also want to consider moving a bit towards the west:

4. Brownsville: Situated on the southern-most tip of Texas, Brownsville is referred to as the hottest city in the state. Also located near the Gulf of Mexico, this particular city tends to be known for its high humidity levels, which may make it feel even warmer on certain days.

5. Phoenix: Moving even further west, Arizona is another popular destination for snowbird retirees. Similar to Brownsville, Phoenix is known as the hottest city in its state - it's also one of the sunniest! Therefore, if you want to escape the cold and the clouds, this is one location you won't want to overlook.

Once you figure out where you want to relocate during retirement, the next step would be to start planning for it! To begin preparing for this next stage of your life, we hope you'll contact the team here at American Investment Planners LLC! We can be reached by phone at (516) 932-5130 or via email at info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Payments To Take Care Of Before You Retire

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

If you are a soon-to-be retiree, then you already know that there is a lot that needs to be taken care of before you leave the office for the very last time. But if you're not, then you may not be so sure of what will be required of you when the time comes! Since the transition from being an active employee to a retiree is quite a large one that signals a huge turning point in your life, it's important to make sure you are completely prepared for the change to minimize the potential for problems where your income and money is concerned. But where should you start? One thing's for sure, you should take care of these payments first:

1. The Mortgage: As one of your greatest expenses, your mortgage is one payment that should be completed or near completed by the time you retire. Even if your income is projected to be similar to what it was while you worked, to maximize your retirement funds this is one particular bill that you'll want to have for only very few months, if any, during the retirement phase.
2. The Car: Are you known to lease cars? If you're due to trade in your lease and you know that retirement is in the near future, you may want to reconsider and purchase a vehicle instead. This way, you can work on paying off your car loan before retirement sets in! Even if you've gotten a great deal and your monthly payments aren't too high, the less expenses you have each month when retirement comes, the better.
3. The House: Aside from your mortgage, it's best to take care of any other home-related expenses, such as a new roof, prior to retirement. If you suspect that you'll need repairs or replacements completed around your home a few years down the line, you're much better off paying for them now so that they don't consume your entire monthly savings should your income slow down.

Although you may feel ready financially for retirement, it's always best to prepare even more by eliminating as many expenses as possible while you're still out in the working world. If you have additional questions about retirement planning and what you should take care of in order to get ready for this change in your life, please don't hesitate to contact American Investment Planners LLC. After all, retirement planning is one of our specialties, and we have all of the tools and resources needed to develop a strategy for you and your family.

To speak with a member of our team about getting started, please call (516) 932-5130 today.

Meet Danette Gramegna: Client Services

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

At American Investment Planners LLC, we work as a cohesive unit to develop and deliver the most beneficial solutions to each of our clients. We pride ourselves on the fact that our firm is built on a group effort, and since it is so, we invite you to become a part of our team by getting to know each of our experts individually. Today, we would like to feature Danette Gramegna, who is a part of our Client Services team!

Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Danette has been working in the financial planning field since 1985. Prior to joining the American Investment Planners LLC team in February of 2007, Danette first stepped into our industry when she worked for Merrill Lynch as a fill in for an employee who was out on maternity leave. While she was there, she realized just how exciting a career in this field could be and decided that this was where she saw her future! As a member of our team for over eight years now, Danette has shined and continues to do so day in and day out by assisting with client related matters.

However, although she excels in her position today, a career in financial planning was not exactly where Danette thought she would wind up. As a child, she dreamed of being a nurse and hoped that she would be able to help those in need. But, right out of high school she found herself working at the Lincoln Savings Bank in Brighton Beach, New York instead, and from there the rest is history!

When not assisting the clients we have here at American Investment Planners LLC, you can find Danette on a walking trail, and she probably won't be alone! Not only does Danette love taking her dogs out for a walk, but she also enjoys spending time with her husband, two daughters and five grandchildren. And when she isn't out on a trail, you can most definitely find Danette somewhere in New York City.

Danette - we are so thankful to have you as part of our client services team. Your dedication to your work and our clients makes you very valuable to us and we appreciate all of your efforts!

For more information about Danette Gramegna, be sure to check out her employee bio on our website!

What To Do Before Your First Student Loan Payment Is Due

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

For those of you who graduated from college this past spring or summer (either from undergraduate or graduate programs), the due date of your first student loan payment is likely approaching rather quickly. And with that, we know, comes a lot of questions regarding how to best tackle repayment. While you may not have had a need to think too deeply about student loans following graduation due to a grace period offered by your lender, now is the time to start planning for a successful repayment experience and get the answers to those questions you have.

To help you out to some extent, here are three tasks we encourage you to complete prior to the first due date:

1. Organize yourself: Most importantly, you must get organized. After all, with potentially thousands of dollars in student loans in your name, you want to minimize any chances of missing a payment - the consequences aren't always nice! Before your first payment is due, make it a priority to put together some sort of folder that details all loans, including lenders, loan amounts and future due dates. 
2. Develop a budget: Now that you have a new payment to make each month, you may need to adjust your budget to make room. Since putting this off until after you start repayment could make your finances a bit messy, it's best to take care of this well in advance. This way, you can start cutting back where necessary if needed and get yourself into a new routine.
3. Learn about repayment plans: If after creating a budget you realize your current minimum payments are not affordable, you may be able to speak with your lender about other options that work in your favor. Should this be the case, you'll want to have this discussion as soon as possible to avoid the potential for defaulting if the payment hasn't changed.

Although paying back your student loans can be a bit of an intimidating experience, it definitely doesn't have to be! By staying on top of it and keeping communication open with your lender, it can be a seamless process that leaves you with no concerns.

Aside from the process of paying back student loans, do you have other questions about your finances as they relate to college, such as what the best approach to saving for tuition is? For information on this topic, please contact American Investment Planners LLC at (516) 932-5130. As a team of financial planners who have experienced this ourselves, we know what it takes to make the entire process a success!

Job Search Tips For Students Graduating College This December

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

Graduating college may just be one of the most exciting milestones in a person's life, but it can also be pretty scary! After spending years in a routine that involves the classroom, having to transition into the working world can be rather challenging, especially if you aren't sure where to start.

Knowing this, we'd like to help by offering a few job search tips for students who will be receiving their diploma this December; check them out below:

Update your resume: First things first, your resume must be ready for graduation day. In fact, it should be ready before then as you should start your search before you complete your degree. But if it isn't, take this time to update it with all of your relevant coursework and professional experience. And don't forget about LinkedIn! With social media continuing to prove its worth, it's important for job seekers to also have their LinkedIn profile completed for potential employers to view.

Don't be afraid to network: While your ability to complete certain tasks is one of the main reasons you'll land a job after college, something else to remember is that who you know matters. That's why it's so important to network! Both online and in person, you must begin to connect with other students, alumni, professors and professionals in your field - getting your name out there is key!

Practice interview responses: Of course not every question is going to be the same in interviews at different companies, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't prepare for more generic inquiries; a quick Internet search can give you some insight into what many employers are asking! Additionally, you can also practice by coming up with questions you think each employer may ask depending on the position you are applying for.

Take advantage of career services: Don't shy away from your school's career services center - it's one of your greatest resources! As experts in the job search field, they can certainly point you in the right direction when it comes to finding open positions that you're qualified for.

Though it may not happen over night, finding a job can be easier than you think when you update your resume, network, practice and use your resources wisely. To all of you graduating in the next couple of months, all of us at American Investment Planners LLC would like to wish you the best of luck!

American Investment Planners LLC offers tax planning, estate planning, retirement planning and more to generations of families throughout the United States. More information about the services offered is available at www.americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Ways To Save Money On Your Heating Bill This Year

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

Just like that it's time to shut down our air conditioners and flip on the switch for our furnace. However, if you're a homeowner, then you know just how costly it can be to stay warm when temperatures start to drop; heating your home is quite the expense! But there is some good news. You can easily make your heating bill one less thing to stress about by making a few changes around your home; below are a few ideas that you can use to get started:

Adjust your ceiling fan: Did you know that you can use your ceiling fan for heating purposes too? Although most of us probably view it as something that helps out in the summer, it can do a world of good in the fall and winter as well. To take advantage of its heating powers, simply rotate the blades so that they are spinning in a clockwise motion - this will help circulate the warm air that has risen up towards your ceiling.

Add insulation: Having the proper insulation is key to saving money on your heating (and even cooling) bills throughout the year. When your home is poorly insulated, it becomes much easier for the heat your home has produced to escape, which ultimately means your system has to use more energy and work harder. Additionally, a poorly insulated home can make it easier for cool air to seep in, which once again means your furnace will be put to work. To prevent your home from using more energy than it should, take a quick peek to see if there are any places where insulation needs to be added.

Clean or change your furnace's filter: Most of the time, something as simple as your furnace's filter is the reason why your savings are going out the window. Before your system really kicks in, take a few minutes to inspect your furnace's filter and clean or change it if needed.

Repair weather stripping: When the weather stripping around your windows and doors starts to age, it is more likely that a draft will be felt in your home. Therefore, if you have been in your home for a while or simply haven't paid much attention to this before, take some time this fall to make sure the spaces around your windows and doors are all sealed up. If you notice any signs of wear and tear, your best bet is to repair or replace the weather stripping in its entirety.

Now that you know how you can start to save, we hope you'll utilize these tips before the cold weather really sets it - this will ensure that you are saving the maximum amount of money possible from the start!

American Investment Planners LLC offers tax planning, estate planning, retirement planning and more to generations of families throughout the United States. More information about the services offered is available at www.americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Financial Documents To Keep During Your Fall Clean-out

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

It may not be spring - in fact, it's quite the opposite - but that doesn't mean that you can't do a little "spring cleaning" in the fall. Whether you're cleaning things out to give yourself a fresh start for the end of the year or tidying up your home to prepare for the holidays, one task you may come across is figuring out what to do with all of those financial documents you've let build up for so long. But which ones are okay to toss? Below, we've put together a checklist of items you definitely want to keep:

1. Outstanding bills: This one's obvious - any outstanding bills you have yet to pay must be kept. Even if you have digital copies of your statements online, it's worth holding onto a physical copy for your records.
2. Paid bills: Just because a bill has been paid doesn't mean it can go right in the trash (unless it's a bill you've paid years ago). Although these may only be needed in the short term, hang on to the statement itself and make note of how you paid it (whether by cash, check or electronically) in case you need to reference it in a few months.
3. Recent bank statements: Rule of thumb is that you should file away all bank statements from the past seven years. If you find any that are older than that you are likely safe in throwing them away, but any within this time period should be kept.
4. Major receipts: Have you completed a large-scale home improvement project recently? If you've made any changes to your home, you'll want to keep a record of it practically forever - unless you sell the home, of course. If you are unsure if your project or other major purchase qualifies, tuck it away neatly with your files just to be sure.
5. Paychecks: While the money may have already been spent, paychecks are another set of documents that should be kept for at least seven years. One reason in particular? These documents can certainly help when it comes time to do your taxes! 

Aside from these documents, do you have others that are still pending? If you're unsure about which documents should be kept and which are okay to part with, just ask American Investment Planners LLC for advice! We can send you a detailed guideline of which documents should be kept and for what length of time when you contact us here (just make sure to reference the guideline check list in the subject of your message!).

In addition, don't forget that you can also contact us for help with any financial planning need - from retirement planning to estate planning, tax planning investment management and more, we do it all! To speak with a member of our team, please call (516) 932-5130 today.

Above information courtesy of MFS Heritage Planning.

Tips For Saving Money During The Fall

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

(516) 932-5130 / (866) 932-5130

The season of pumpkin spice and spooky nights is officially here! We can't believe how fast the year has gone - can you? Now that we're entering the time of year where the holidays are approaching quickly, it's about time we talk about ways you can start to save this fall. See below for a few ideas:

Eat in rather than out: After a long day at work we know it can be a treat to have someone else do the cooking for you, but every time you step out of the house and into a restaurant, you're spending money that you could be saving. This fall, celebrate the season at home instead by whipping up your own meals that include flavors like pumpkin and apple cinnamon!

Decorate DIY style: Decorating your home for both fall and Halloween can be one of the most exciting parts of the season, but purchasing such decorations can get pretty costly. This year, consider taking a DIY approach and make fall wreaths, spider webs and other traditional decorations with materials you already have at home!

Spend time outdoors: Why stay inside when you can enjoy Long Island's fall foliage for free? If you're looking to make plans for you and your friends and/or family on any given day, think about taking a stroll at your local park or finding a nature walk nearby - not only can this save some money in the budget you've set aside for recreational activities, but it also gives you the opportunity to enjoy all that the season has to offer!

Inspect your home: Air leaks are an easy way to let your savings slip right out of your hands, so you'll want to make sure that your home is all sealed up before the cold weather takes over. When you have a chance, check the areas surrounding your windows and doors to make sure there is no place for the heat your home produces to escape.

Shop wisely: Need to update your wardrobe to fit in with the latest fall fashion? While shopping for new clothes may be a necessity this season, do so wisely - that means take advantage of all sales you come across and do your research to figure out which stores are offering deals and when.

As you fall into savings by using the above ideas this autumn, don't forget to think about saving for the future too. If you haven't thought about retirement or estate planning yet, now is a perfect time to get started. To learn how American Investment Planners LLC can help with various financial planning needs, please call (516) 932-5130 today.