6 Creative Ways to Give Cash as a Gift

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

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

Everyone loves receiving cash as a gift during the holiday season, but let’s be honest: it’s a little anticlimactic. No guessing the gift based on the size of the box; no dramatic suspense of unwrapping the present; just a standard envelope that leaves nothing to the imagination.

If you are looking to spice up the holiday season, think outside the box and give your cash in one of these creative ways…

Make them work for it.

Luckily, retailers have already solved this problem for you. Lock your cash in one of these unique money puzzles, give it to a friend or family member, then watch the look on their faces as they try to crack the code.

Make a money notepad.

A notepad made out of paper is boring. A notepad made out of money, on the other hand, could be the highlight of someone’s holiday. They are easy to make, too. Click here for full step-by-step instructions.

Disguise the bill as a bookmark.

This is a great idea for the reader in your family. Give them a book for Christmas (which they may or may not even want) and tuck a crisp bill in between the pages, making sure to stick out the top as if it was a bookmark.

A sweet treat.

Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you are going to get. Imagine the look on your recipient’s face when they open what they think is a box of assorted chocolates, and all of the candy has been replaced with cold hard cash.

Know when (and how) to fold ‘em.

What’s better than a crisp $100 bill? A $100 bill folded into a wreath, snowman, christmas tree, or snowflake! Click here to learn how how you can make festive cash origami.

In case of emergency…

Break the glass! All this idea requires is a picture frame. Simply put the money on display in the frame, and label it with the words, “in case of emergency, break glass.” A simple and humorous way to contribute to a loved one’s emergency fund.

American Investment Planners offers financial planning services to individuals and families across the country. Whether you are starting your first job, planning for retirement, or both, we can help you achieve and exceed your financial goals.

To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.

5 Reasons Why Everyone Needs a Financial Planner

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

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

Think you don’t need a professional financial planner? Think again! Whether you are just starting your first job or on the brink of retirement, everyone can benefit from having a trusted financial advisor by their side.

Don’t believe us? Here are five reasons why you should consult with one if you haven’t already:

1. It’s never too early (or too late) to start planning.

For young professionals at the beginning of their careers, retirement might be the last thing on their mind – but it shouldn’t be. The earlier you can lay out a well-defined financial road map, the better chance you have of retiring on time. On the other hand, it’s never too late to make a plan, either. People 50 years or older may be discouraged that they have no plan for retirement, but that should just be extra incentive to make one.

2. Financial planners aren’t just for the rich.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to be in the upper 1% to take advantage of a financial advisor. In fact, it is quite the opposite. Every penny counts when you are living on a modest income, and a professional advisor can make your pennies go further with smart financial planning.

3. A financial planner offers objective advice.

Chances are, you aren’t an expert in finance. Managing your own finances with little-to-no experience is like attempting to perform surgery on yourself; it’s just better to trust someone else. Even if you are well-versed in the world of money, a financial advisor can bring a fresh perspective and years of vast experience to your situation.

4. Assess your current goals.

What are your current financial goals? When do you expect to retire, to pay off your auto loan, or to purchase your first home? No matter what your expected timeline is, you might not be as close as you think you are. Working face-to-face with a personal advisor can help you determine your current progress towards your goals, and what you can do to get there quicker.

5. Identify risks you hadn’t thought of.

One of the most important components in any investment is risk. For many people, this is a hard concept to understand, and even harder to accurately gauge. Luckily, financial advisors are seasoned in this facet of investing and can offer their professional advice.

If you are looking for a financial planner to help you meet your short- and long-term goals, look no further than American Investment Planners, LLC. Families all over the country trust us to help them manage their stocks, bonds, retirement funds, college savings accounts, and more.

To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.

How to Holiday Shop on a Budget

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

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

‘Tis the season to spread holiday cheer – more times than not in the form of gifts. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to cross everybody off your shopping list without breaking the bank. Just follow these smart shopping tips from your friends at American Investment Planners, LLC:

• Start saving early. Many banks offer holiday savings accounts that allow you to deposit money year-round specifically for holiday shopping. It may be too late to take advantage of this holiday season, but it is never too early to plan ahead for future years.

• Make a list, and check it twice. The best way to stay on budget is by making a detailed list for all of your gift recipients. Your list should include a strict spending limit for each family member and friend. Keep a running log of your expenses to make sure you stay within your budget.

• Take advantage of all the deals. There is no shortage of savings during this time of the year. From Black Friday doorbusters to Cyber Monday markdowns, make sure you are taking advantage of the best deals available.

• Shop online. Save time, effort, and gas by doing your holiday shopping online. Many retailers even offer free shipping during this time of the year, allowing you to be as cost-efficient as possible.

• Don’t fall for store credit cards. Many retailers offer their own credit cards, and entice consumers to sign up by offering 10% off their initial purchase. While this may seem like a good deal, resist the urge. These perceived savings will quickly disappear if you do not pay your balance in full each month.

• Do it yourself. Tap into your inner creativity and take the DIY approach to your gifts. They may take a little more time, but they will save you money and are sure to be appreciated more than a store-bought product.

American Investment Planners, LLC helps families all over the country better manage their finances. From college savings, to estate planning, to retirement planning, and more, we can help you meet your short- and long-term financial goals.

To schedule an appointment with one of our advisors, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.

Why is Diversification Important?

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

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

Investing is a financial strategy that many people choose to help them achieve their short and long term goals, and the people who experience great success with doing so don't just become pros over night - there's a lot of research to be done and a lot to understand about the process, especially when it comes to risk.

Put simply, nearly every investment out there has some kind of risk associated with it - this is only natural, as the stock market rises and falls all the time. With that said, regardless of what you decide to invest in, you have to consider what kinds of risks are associated with that investment in particular.

This is where diversification comes in. In order to be a successful investor, you must be able to manage your risk while also maintaining your potential to experience returns. To do so, one thing that is often recommended is to diversify.

Ultimately, diversification is an investment strategy that is geared towards managing risk by spreading your money across various investments, such as stocks, bonds, real estate and cash alternatives. By having a diverse portfolio, you aren't putting all of your eggs in one basket, which helps in situations where you experience loss in a particular investment.

So why is diversification important?

Overall, diversification really helps to offset any negative experiences you have with any one investment. For example, if you have one investment that decreases really quickly but another that increases at the same rate, you'll likely have much more peace of mind and you may not even be too impacted by the decrease if another investment improves significantly. Additionally, having a diverse portfolio really helps in riding out market fluctuations, and can provide you with a more steady performance regardless of the current economic conditions.

With all that said, no matter where or how you choose to invest your money, we think it's important that you always keep diversification in mind - at the very least, it will probably make you feel much more comfortable with your efforts!

Here at American Investment Planners LLC, we are staffed with some of the top investing professionals and would love to work with you on your portfolio to ensure it's designed to meet your financial goals. To set up an appointment with an advisor, please call (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com today.

Above information courtesy of Emerald Connect.

There is no guarantee that a diversified portfolio will enhance overall returns or outperform a non-diversified portfolio. Diversification does not ensure against market risk.

Smart Uses for Your Holiday Bonus

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

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

If you're one of the lucky ones whose company hands out holiday bonuses, we know just how tempting it can be to want to use it towards all of your holiday gifts. However, while it can certainly help you cover the cost of the holidays, as your trusted financial planner, we don't want you to spend all of your earnings at once - instead, we suggest you do this:

Build your emergency fund.
If you've ever needed cash on the spot for something unexpected, then you know just how valuable some emergency savings can be. Now, you don't have to dedicate your entire bonus to this, but it's certainly a good idea to donate a portion of your bonus to your emergency savings to help you prepare for the future.

Donate to your favorite charity.
It is the season of giving after all! If you have a charity that's close to your heart, one of the most beautiful gifts you can give this holiday season is a donation - no matter how much, your contribution will be so, so appreciated by the charity and who it helps.

Get ahead with your mortgage.
Wouldn't it be awesome to lessen the amount of time it takes for you to pay back your mortgage? If you can send more than one payment a month (or just more than your minimum payment), you can start to cut back on how long it will take for you to finally pay down your debt - we can't see why any homeowner wouldn't consider doing this!

Learn something new.
Is there a class you've been dying to take or something new you've been wanting to try? If so, consider using part of your holiday bonus towards it! It's always a good day to improve upon your skills, especially if you're looking to learn something for your career - and who knows, maybe next year's holiday bonus will be even bigger as a result!

Save it for retirement.
Whether retirement is three years away or 30 years away, you can never put too much towards your savings account. The more you contribute early on the more chances you have of watching your money grow, so if you have an account all set up that you contribute to, a portion of your holiday bonus belongs in it.

Again, while this isn't to say that you can't use your holiday bonus for recreational purposes or holiday shopping, we just hope you'll keep in mind how important it is to act super smart with any additional money you get your hands on!

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.

3 Surprising Expenses You May Be Able to Negotiate

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

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

Ever hear the saying, "if you never ask, the answer is always no?" If so, have you ever actually tried to ask for something even when you already thought the answer was no? Especially when it comes to money, many people are hesitant to try and negotiate things for their own benefit, but you'd be surprised at how many things you can be successful with just by taking a leap of faith and asking.

Below, let's take a look at some things you've probably never tried to negotiate before, but can:

Groceries. 
Even if you're already spending hours clipping coupons and searching for all of the "buy one get one free" deals on the shelves, you may be able to negotiate your groceries even more. One way you can try to do this is with your meats - if you see something that is nearing its expiration date, it's worth asking for a discount since the store is going to lose money on them anyway once they're no longer good to sell! 

Interest rates.
You just applied for a credit card and they send you back all of the card's details, including interest rates - you have to accept what it is, right? Not all the time! If you have a great credit score and an excellent history of paying back your debts, its always worth contacting the credit card company (or other lender) to see if they'll work with you (hint: try saying that you're shopping around so that they know they have to work to earn your business). 

Major appliances and electronics.
With the holiday season right around the corner you can bet that major appliances such as washers and dryers, as well as major electronics such as TVs, are going to be on sale. But what if you miss those sales? The first place to start is with asking about the floor models, any returns and potential overstocks - purchasing these could work in your favor when it comes to price! Additionally, if you know you'll be buying more than one expensive item from the same seller, it's worth asking if they can do anything for you price wise.

Remember, the only way to find out if you can actually negotiate is by asking, so the next time you're in the market for something (with the holidays coming now is the perfect time!), don't hesitate to ask - the worst anyone can say is no.

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 can be found by visiting www.americaninvestmentplanners.com. 

The Key to Having a Great Credit Score

American Investment Planners LLC

500 North Broadway, Suite 260, Jericho, NY 11753

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

Having a great credit score is certainly something you want to accomplish for your own peace of mind and success, but truth is, you need a great credit score for a lot more reasons than that - one of the biggest reasons is to get the best offers when shopping for a mortgage. Now, while building credit does take time and requires hard work and patience, there is one strategy in particular to focus on immediately (according to time.com's Money, 3 out of 4 people with excellent credit do this). And what is that strategy? Paying your balance in full.

Despite the fact that many people believe you should carry a balance from month to month, research suggests that when you pay your balance in full instead, you're likely to see better results - data explains that 73% of consumers that boast a FICO credit score of 800 do, in fact, pay off their credit cards in full each month. 

So why is paying your balance in full the best approach?

Well, the amount of money that you owe plays a pretty significant role in determining your FICO credit score - in fact, 30% of your score comes from this. When coming up with that aspect of your score your credit utilization ratio is looked at, which would be the percentage of credit that you're using - keep in mind that the key is to really have access to open credit, rather than actually using that credit. Tip: try not use more than 30% of your available credit, as your credit score will typically drop when you go above this threshold.

If you're looking for ways to improve your credit score and are someone that usually carries a balance each month, now is the time to start paying things in full. However, since we know this can be difficult, here are two easy tips you can follow as you begin:

1. Stop using that credit card. It would be pretty hard to get your balance to be $0 if you continue to charge things each month, so while you work on paying down your debts, avoid using that card in its entirety.
2. Re-evaluate your budget. When was the last time you really analyzed your spending habits? If it's been a while, chances are you can find a ton of places where you can cut back on spending, which would give you extra money to use towards your debts.

Have more questions about achieving a great credit score? As a trusted financial planning firm, we can assist you with various aspects of financial planning, as well as answer any other questions you may have on financial topics.

To speak with one of our advisors, please give us a call at (516) 932-5130 or email info@americaninvestmentplanners.com.