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Featured 07.11.2018

"Cash flow is like the water in the moat surrounding a successful retirement."

Dreaming of a Royal Retirement?

Cash flow is king when thinking about your financial future

Cash flow is like the water in the moat surrounding a successful retirement. It ís an essential element of financial planning that can help you defend your castle against unexpected expenses, coffer-raiding or overspending. Cash flow planning combines five interdependent activities: setting goals, establishing an emergency fund, calculating your net worth, recording expenses and communicating your wishes to your loved ones — the five elements of cash flow planning.

 

  • 1

    Look from the Tower: Set Goals

    It’s impossible to plan without having a goal in mind. When it comes to your future finances, start with the basics, whether it’s to pay down school loans or to establish a three-month emergency fund.

     

    For example, if you were faced with a $500 unexpected bill, would you be able to cover it? Nearly six in 10 Americans don’t have enough savings to pay a $500 or $1,000 expense, according to Bankrate.1 Without having a cash cushion, emergencies can cause you to tap funds earmarked for other purposes, such as your retirement. An emergency fund not only can help you manage a car or home repair, it can tide you over in the event of an unforeseen illness or job loss.

  • 2

    Survey Your Realm: Calculate Your Net Worth

    Your ability to project your future income needs depends on the clarity of your financial picture today. Your best snapshot for that is your net worth — the total value of what you own minus what you owe. Here’s a simplified worksheet to give you a rough approximation of your personal or household net worth.

     

    Net Worth Worksheet

    A. What You Own (Assets) Value
    Cash on Hand $
    Cash in checking, savings accounts $
    Market value of your home and household items $
    Stocks, bonds, mutual funds $
    Market value of vehicles $
    Current value of 401(k), IRA $
    Other assets $
    TOTAL ASSETS $
    B. What You Owe (Liabilities) Value
    Mortgage $
    Home equity loan or line of credit $
    Auto loan and credit card balance $
    Student loans $
    Other liabilities $
    TOTAL LIABILITIES $
    NET WORTH (A minus B) $

     

  • 3

    Summon the Scribe! Record Your Expenses

    Many people who struggle with not knowing where their money went don’t have a firm handle on their expenses. If this fits your description, consider buying a small notebook and recording what you spend every day. Add it up at the end of the month. You may be surprised to see where all your cash is going!

  • 4

    Sound the Trumpets: Communicate with Your Household

    Spouses or significant others often disagree about the role of money in the household. One may see cash as a license to shop and spend, the other for saving. The important thing is to communicate these views and resolve disagreements well before financial stress enters the picture.

     

    Cash flow planning is at the core of financial planning, because cash flow can give you the freedom and flexibility to rule your destiny. That’s a worthy goal any king or queen can champion.

     

     

     

    1     “Six in 10 Americans don’t have $500 in savings,” CNN Money, January 12, 2017.
    http://money.cnn.com/2017/01/12/pf/americans-lack-of-savings/index.html
    Disclosure: This material was created for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as ERISA, tax, legal or investment advice. LPL Financial and its advisors are providing educational services only and are not able to provide participants with investment advice specific to their particular needs. If you are seeking investment advice specific to your needs, such advice services must be obtained on your own separate from this educational material.
    Kmotion, Inc., 412 Beavercreek Road, Suite 611, Oregon City, OR 97045; www.kmotion.com
    © 2018 Kmotion, Inc. This newsletter is a publication of Kmotion, Inc., whose role is solely that of publisher. The articles and opinions in this newsletter are those of Kmotion. The articles and opinions are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Nothing in this publication shall be construed as providing investment counseling or directing employees to participate in any investment program in any way. Please consult your financial advisor or other appropriate professional for further assistance with regard to your individual situation.

     

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