A gift idea for your loved ones, Market updates and the Holidays (Monthly Newsletter, December 2020)

Happy Holidays!

If you're like us, it's a busy time of year with all the running around, shopping and preparing for the holidays, and for some, winding down the year with work. What a year it's been and for many, they can't wait to put this year behind and look forward to 2021.

In this edition, we want to remind you that we're in this with you.  We'd like to share a great gift idea for your loved ones with our recently-released Robo-Advisor Platform, along with other timely articles that hopefully will give you some helpful tips as you go thru all the hustle-and-bustle this time of year.

Lastly, we'd like to wish you a wonderful Holiday Season.  We are excited to wind down a challenging year, spend time with family, enjoy the Christmas Season and look towards the New Year.

Peace and Blessings,

Chad and Nicole

Tired of just giving 'more stuff' that might not be as meaningful?

Looking for another way than just giving cash or writing a check?

How about a gift that can keep on giving?

How about a gift that they'll appreciate for years to come?

Do what we did for the kids in our life

(our niece, our nephew and of course, our kids:))

Open an account on our NEW Robo-Advisor Platform and Give the Gift of Investing Wisely to those you care about.

This simple infographic explains how it works.  For more information, click anywhere on the image to be taken to our dedicated page.

Does Main Street Need a Wall Street Strategy?

As Wall Street pushes higher, a pandemic-weary Main Street is relearning how to manage cash flow with the hope of keeping its retirement dreams alive.

Self-employed Americans, and the people working for them, account for roughly 30 percent of the nation’s workforce.¹

In the best of times, putting aside money for retirement was a challenge for this group. Before the pandemic, just 13 percent of people who run a single-person business set aside money in a workplace retirement plan. By comparison, 72 percent of people in large companies participate in retirement plans.²

In recent weeks, the Dow Jones Industrial Average crossed 30,000 for the first time. And this year, the Standard & Poor’s 500 index has picked up more than 10 percent through November. But some self-employed Americans are just reading about the rally, not participating.^3,4

There’s no shortage of retirement plan choices and programs. But the uncertain outlook has forced many to build larger-than-normal cash reserves to help manage through any operating restrictions or shutdowns.⁵

If you’re a self-employed business owner who’s struggling with managing cash flow while keeping an eye on your future, please give us a call. We may offer some guidance on how to set priorities so both goals can be within your reach.

<sup>1. Pew Research Center, August 29, 2019
2. CNBC.com, September 12, 2019
3. The Wall Street Journal, November 25, 2020
4. Yahoo Finance, November 30, 2020
5. CNBC.com, September 4, 2020</sup>

^{This article is for informational purposes only and is not a replacement for real-life advice, so make sure to consult your tax, legal, and accounting professionals before modifying your retirement strategy.}

This year has been like no other and stress has sadly become more of the norm for many.  

Here is an article from the Mayo clinic that shares how we can improve our health and minimize stress, anxiety and depression during one of the busiest times of year: The Holiday Season. 

Click here for the article: Stress, Depression and The Holidays: Tips for Coping

While you are home and taking some time during the holidays, it may be a good time to rest, reflect and research your 2021 health plan for restoring and maintaining your immune systems and addressing many of the main causes (inflammation, stress, etc.).  

If you have some extra time over the holidays and want to read more about health and taking care of your immune system, check out this WebMD Article: 6 Immune System Busters & Boosters

Let's kickstart the new year by improving our health while we take care of your wealth!

Year-End Tax Tips

2020 is almost over, which means it’s time to start wrapping up those taxes for the year! There are lots of things to do to prepare for 2021. Here are some year-end tax tips to consider:

• If you think you will be in the same or a lower tax bracket next year, it may be beneficial to defer income until 2021. This could include self-employment income or year-end bonuses.
  
  
• You may be able to take some last-minute tax deductions, such as controlling when you contribute to charity. 
  

The end of the year is the perfect time to talk with your tax professional on how to position yourself for 2021. 

^{* Tip adapted from Turbo Tax7 
This information is not intended to be a substitute for specific individualized tax advice. We suggest that you discuss your specific tax issues with a qualified tax professional.}

Ways to Give Back This Season

The holiday season is a time to give back to our community. There are many service opportunities available, whether you seek out ones in your community or give back on your own. Here are some ideas:

• Bake cookies or casseroles and pass them out at the local fire departments, police stations, hospitals, or to elderly neighbors or those in need.
  
• Pack stockings for homeless people in your community. Include helpful goodies like water bottles, granola bars, hand sanitizer, toothpaste and a toothbrush, or warm gloves.
  
  
• Clean out the toy box with your child or grandchildren and donate some toys or games that they don’t play with anymore. This is a great learning lesson for little ones!
  
  
• “Adopt a family” during the holiday season and help them out with gifts or necessities. Churches and other local organizations often have a program where you can find families in need and help them out.
  
  
• Donate to a food bank. You can either shop for nonperishables or donate your time!  For us here in the Milwaukee Area, every Holiday we purchase a number of dinners for our homeless community through one of the local missions.  It's very humbling to be reminded, in the midst of celebrating with friends and family, with the abundance of food and company that for many people just become routine, that there are still many in need.  This has been a way for us to share. 
  

^{Tip adapted from US News and World Report8}

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Until next time, please stay healthy and be blessed during this Christmas and Holiday Season.  We will catch up with you in the New Year!

Chad and Nicole Albano

^{Investing involves risks, and investment decisions should be based on your own goals, time horizon, and tolerance for risk. The return and principal value of investments will fluctuate as market conditions change. When sold, investments may be worth more or less than their original cost.}

^{The S&P 500 Composite Index is an unmanaged group of securities considered to be representative of the stock market in general. The Nasdaq Composite is an index of the common stocks and similar securities listed on the Nasdaq stock market and considered a broad indicator of the performance of stocks of technology and growth companies.}

^{The content is developed from sources believed to be providing accurate information. The information in this material is not intended as tax or legal advice. Please consult legal or tax professionals for specific information regarding your individual situation. This material was developed and produced by FMG Suite to provide information on a topic that may be of interest. FMG Suite, LLC, is not affiliated with the named representative, broker-dealer, state- or SEC-registered investment advisory firm. The opinions expressed and material provided are for general information and should not be considered a solicitation for the purchase or sale of any security.}