Enjoying Summer On A Budget

Enjoying your summer with family and friends can be great during the warmer months — packed with beach days and bbq’s! But sometimes, those weekly trips and extravaganzas can get rather expensive, and in a time where money is an important aspect, it’s a good idea to think about how you can cut back on costs. For those looking to still have fun but on a budget, there are a number of ways to do so — check them out below!

Potluck BBQ’s

Everyone loves grilling food and drinking with friends on the weekend, but those costs can get pretty high for the host! Instead of taking on the cost yourself, consider a potluck bbq! You handle some of the meat, and the rest can be brought by guests! Other meats, salads, desserts and drinks are all acceptable to be brought, and at a few dollars per person, it’s an easy savings for everyone!

Beach Days

Instead of everyone taking separate cars to the beach, try carpooling for those who fit! Whoever drives can forego the cost of the beach entry, while the passengers cover that cost! This makes the process easier, while also reducing emission output during a time where it’s crucial.

Create Your Own Fun

It’s not hard to come up with your own fun outside, and especially for the kids! DIY slip n’ slides, sprinklers and more are easy and cheap ways to enjoy the warmer days without breaking the bank for park passes.

Consult A Professional Planner

For future summers to come, it’s important to make sure that your finances are in check. This way, you can enjoy your life worry-free and take in everything life has to offer during the summer. A financial planner at American Investment Planners LLC can help you decide how you should be planning for the future years.

If this is something you’re thinking about, make sure to sit down with the careful and professional financial planners at American Investment Planners LLC. From investments to estate planning, we’re here to help with anything you may need. To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Investment Terms You Should Know

When it comes to investing in something, the more you know the better — and this spans across all types of investments too! Life is full of opportunities in which you can better educate yourself, which can only help you later on. Of course, when it comes to your finances, this is extremely important. Because of this, we’ve gathered a few of the key investment terms you should at least have a basic understanding of before you start thinking about it. Check them out below!

• Ask. This is considered to be the lowest price a seller is willing to accept when he/she is talking about a stock.
• Bull Market. This term is usually describing the market over the course of several months, and indicates that most stock prices have been on the rise.
• Blue Chip. This is describing a company that has a track record of both solid earnings, increasing dividends, and a great balance sheet.
• Dividends. This is a portion of the profits that are paid to the shareholders on either a quarterly or annual basis. It is not required to declare dividends on common stock, however.
• Mutual Fund. This represents an investment company that combines the money from a large group of investors to buy both stocks and other investments.
• Securities. This is the word that carefully outlines stocks, bonds, and bank deposits all as one.
• Yield. When a company is to pay a dividend, a yield is a percentage of the dividend over the current stock price. For example, If a stock is $10/ share and pays a dividend out of $1, the yield is 10%.

Of course, putting these terms to good use is always another great idea for your future. If this is something you’re thinking about, make sure to sit down with the careful and professional financial planners at American Investment Planners LLC. From investments to estate planning, we’re here to help with anything you may need. To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Home Buying During Retirement

Retirement is a beautiful thing for many, which includes a number of leisurely trips, and well-deserved relaxation. With the right planning, retirement can also be full of a ton of things. Things such as cars and homes are usually on the list for many — but those usually require a bit of planning. Of course, the luxuries of life are sometimes unattainable without planning, and that’s an important aspect. Below are a few things to remember to do before jumping into an investment that might be harder to maintain than you might think.

Future Budget

You’ll never know what life throws at you, until it does — and that calls for an emergency relief fund. This is something that you should always put some extra away for, just in case. Because life can throw curveballs (and expensive ones at that), you’ll need to make sure you’re prepared for them when it happens. This is especially important if you’ve just taken on a huge bill such as a new home or vehicle.

Financial Planning

Just because you have money put away, doesn’t mean it’s time to buy a house. It’s important that before anything, you take a look at and discuss your finances with a professional at American Investment Planners. Now that you’re thinking about a large purchase like this, it’s time to look at the big picture and make sure that it’s a feasible task.

Buy What You Can Afford

There’s something for everyone, and if your budget doesn’t allow for a million dollar home, it’s probably not best to buy one. Again, it’s important to consider everything from your liquid funding to total investments. Make sure that you’re speaking with the right group of people to be going over everything with before taking the plunge.

If buying a home during retirement is something you’re looking into,  make sure you contact the professional team at American Investment Planners, LLC We are here to make everything as simple as possible and discuss all options you may be considering. To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Financial Mistakes You Don’t Know You’re Making

Throughout your life there will be a number of different situations that shape the way you conduct your day to day tasks. From these, it’s important to learn from everything you do in order to improve your own life, and set yourself up for a comfortable future. The great part about these experiences is that more than just you can learn from them! Financially, there’s always a way to improve, and the mistakes you might be making aren’t as clear. We’ll outline a few below.

Food Expenses

There’s nothing wrong with spending a bit of money on you and others every once in awhile, but everyday might be more of an issue. This includes paying for coffee and breakfast, down to buying lunch a few times per week. These expenses can quickly add up to hundreds of dollars per month, which financially, doesn't make much sense. Instead, consider buying these foods at the store and preparing them for each day!

Saving Money

It might not seem like a huge deal to put away as much money as possible, but it’s important. From saving your change, to investing in your personal 401(k), there’s an answer for everyone who wants to stockpile a bit of money away for the future. Sit down with a professional at American Investment Planners to learn more

Wasting Energy

We know you like the house to be cool during the summer and warm during the winter, but the expenses can be pretty hefty if your machines are constantly working. By tweaking the settings and turning them off when you’re not in the house, you can reduce your use by a significant number, and save yourself a bit of money!

There are a ton of ways to set your finances up to work for you and benefit your future. Looking into the specifics of this might seem difficult, which is why hiring a professional is your best bet! American Investment Planners has everything you need to begin your journey of a new financial path, and we’d love to be able to help.

If you’re interested in learning more, make sure you contact the professional team at American Investment Planners, LLC We are here to make everything as simple as possible. To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Financial Tips Every Parent Should Know

The joy of parenting is something that while it can be tedious, is an extremely rewarding part of life. What comes with the reality of children is the responsibility one must take on in order to be financially stable during the long-term. Traditional methods can be considered, but we’re not talking about just stocking all of your money away for college just yet — there are other ways to be smart with your money! Check them out below to see what else you can be doing!

Encourage Cooking

When the kids are old enough to do a bit of help around the house, one way to get them involved is to have them help with dinner. Not only does this create bonding time with your kids, but you save money on what would be an expensive night out, have leftovers, and they learn to cook simple foods as well. This can save everyone money in the long run.

Save More Than You Want To

While you might not be the saving type, this is one of those experiences in life that you’d rather be prepared for. A good way to do so is to not go into debt over the small things. By saving a bit as soon as you want to start trying, you can put away that cash for the times when it’s needed.

Invest Your Extra Money

It’s a joy to be able to fund someone’s college experience, and that can only begin with saving in the beginning. One of the best things you can do during your working years is sit down with a financial planner at American Investment Planners to discuss your options in preparation. Here, you can discuss every angle of your finances and how stability can be achieved through a professional!

If you’re looking for someone to help you plan for finances as a parent, the professional team at American Investment Planners can assist with everything you need from 401(k) planning to future estate planning. We are here to make everything as simple as possible. To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Job Searching Tips For College Grads

Job Searching Tips For College Grads

Graduating college is one of the best achievements young adults can make today, and the reality of the real world can be an exciting one — and also a bit scary. Entering the jobforce can be one of the difficult aspects, but it doesn’t have to be. As someone with less experience, your main focus should be to do everything you possibly can to be offered an interview. From there, it’s all on your charm and qualifications. In the meantime, here are some must know job-searching tips that can help you potentially land a job quickly.

Polish That Resume. It’s important to understand that you’re going to need a near flawless resume that will make people want to look at your qualifications, rather than toss the paper aside. First impressions matter, and it’s extremely important to make yours the best it can be from the very moment your resume is submitted. This includes checking over every detail for relevancy.

Begin Searching With Keywords. Sometimes, job posting websites aren’t the best at finding you the best match for jobs that you’re suited for, and this can be a big help. Make sure you’re scouring the site for keywords that relate to your field, both in the job title and search description. This is helpful in finding jobs that one might look over that could, in theory, be a great fit.

Widen Your Radius. You might already know this, but the best thing to do is not limit yourself to a small and confined area when looking for employment. This is because, while maybe a bit farther than you’d like, you may have better luck finding a job in a more densely populated area in comparison to one that is not. Without a ton of commitments such as children, spouses and more, it’s also sometimes easier to take a job farther away now, to build credibility for that great job a bit closer to home.

Of course, once you’re involved in the job force and begin planning for your future, there are a number of things you should be focusing on in order to preserve your financial stability when retirement and other events come up. The professional team at American Investment Planners can assist with everything you need from 401(k) planning to future estate planning. We are here to make everything as simple as possible. To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Things To Consider Before Opening An IRA

When it comes to your retirement planning, there are a plethora of things you’re expected to consider, apply to, and implement to ensure a safe and happy retirement. Of course, there are also a number of different things that should be considered before beginning a specific retirement plan. In terms of your options, a Roth IRA is a popular choice for many, and for a number of reasons. Though before beginning this type of retirement account, it’s important to look at some of the important aspects of what it entails and what it might mean for you.

What Is A Roth IRA?

In short, a Roth IRA account is a nondeductible IRA that permits a tax-free withdrawal, pending specific conditions are met. Most of the time, the contribution limits are similar to a normal IRA, the lack of need to pay taxes on the earnings is a huge upside to opening this type of account up.

Your Employer Might Offer This Option

A number of companies are adopting the idea of a Roth IRA within their 401(k) plans. This after-tax money goes into the Roth, so immediate tax savings aren’t seen just yet. The upside here is that your contributions will grow tax free. It’s important to note that these contributions must be made by December 31st to count for current tax years.

You Must Pass A Few Tests

To be tax and penalty free with withdrawals, you must be over the age of 59 ½. If you’re not, you could be looking at a 10% penalty for early withdrawals, if done before then. Additionally, you must have one Roth open for at least five years. Alternatively, if you open a Roth at 58, you can tap the earnings penalty-free at 59 ½, but can’t tap anything tax free until five years from the open date.

If you’re interested in learning more about Roth IRA’s and retirement planning, make sure you contact the professional team at American Investment Planners, LLC We are here to make everything as simple as possible. To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.