Financial Insights Newsletter

Financial mistakes people make at different ages.

There's a saying that with age comes wisdom, but this may not always be true in the financial world. As people move through different life stages, there are new opportunities--and potential pitfalls--around every corner.

In your 20s

Living beyond your means. It's tempting to want all the latest and greatest in gadgets, entertainment, and travel, but if you can't pay for most of your wants up front, then you need to rein in your lifestyle. If you take on too much debt--or don't work diligently to start paying off the debt you have--it can hold you back financially for a long, long time.

Not saving for retirement. You've got plenty of time, so what's the rush? Well why not harness that time to work for you. Start saving a portion of your annual pay now and your 67-year-old self will thank you. 

Not being financially literate. Many students graduate from high school or college without knowing the basics of money management. Learn as much as you can about saving, budgeting, and investing now so you can benefit from it for the rest of your life.

In your 30s

Being house poor. Whether you're buying your first home or trading up, don't buy a house that you can't afford, even if the bank says you can. Build in some wiggle room for a possible dip in household income that could result from switching jobs, going back to school, or leaving the workforce to raise a family.

Not protecting yourself with life and disability insurance. Life is unpredictable. What would happen if one day you were unable to work and earn a paycheck? Let go of the "it-won't-happen-to-me" attitude. Though the cost and availability of life insurance depend on several factors including your health, the younger you are when you buy insurance, the lower your premiums will likely be.

Not saving for retirement. Okay, maybe your 20s passed you by in a bit of a blur and retirement wasn't even on your radar screen. But now that you're in your 30s, it's critical to start saving for retirement. Wait much longer, and it can be hard to catch up. Start now, and you still have 30 years or more to save.

I'm thinking about storing financial documents in the cloud.
What should I know?

Cloud storage—using Internet-based service providers to store digital assets such as books, music, videos, photos, and even important documents including financial statements and contracts--has become increasingly popular in recent years. But is it right for you?

Opinions vary on whether to store your most sensitive information in the cloud. While some experts say you should physically store items you're not willing to lose or expose publicly, others contend that high-security cloud options are available.

If you're thinking about cloud storage for your financial documents, consider the following:

• Evaluate the provider's reputation. Is the service well known, well tested, and well reviewed by information security experts?
• Consider the provider's own security and redundancy procedures. Look for such features as two-factor authentication and complex password requirements. Does it have copies of your data on servers at multiple geographic locations, so that a disaster in one area won't result in an irretrievable loss of data?
• Review the provider's service agreement and terms and conditions. Make sure you understand how your data will be protected and what recourse you have in the event of a breach or loss. Also understand what happens when you delete a file--will it be completely removed from all servers? In the event a government subpoena is issued, must the service provider hand over the data?
• Consider encryption processes, which prevent access to your data without your personal password (including access by people who work for the service provider). Will you be using a browser or app that provides for data encryption during transfer? And once your data is stored on the cloud servers, will it continue to be encrypted?
• Make sure you have a complex system for creating passwords and never share your passwords with anyone.

I've recently changed my legal name. Do I need to change my name on my Social Security card?

Whenever an individual legally changes his or her name, it is important to contact the Social Security Administration (SSA) as soon as possible. Failure to notify the SSA of a name change could prevent your wages from being posted correctly to your Social Security earnings record and might even result in a delay when you file your taxes. To obtain a new card with your new name, you need to provide the SSA with a recently issued document that proves your identity and legal name change.

Acceptable documents include:

• Marriage certificate
• Divorce decree
• Certificate of Naturalization showing new name
• Court order for approving the name change If the document you provide doesn't offer enough information for the SSA to identify you in their records, you must also provide an identity document in your old name (expired documents with your old name are allowed).

In addition, if you were born outside the United States or you aren't a U.S. citizen, you typically must provide documentation to prove U.S. citizenship or lawful noncitizen status.

Once you have gathered the appropriate documentation, you need to complete the SSA Application for a Social Security Card. However, Social Security card applications are not accepted on the SSA website. As a result, you need to take or mail your application, along with your supporting documents, to your local Social Security office.

For more information on applying for a new Social Security card or finding a Social Security office in your area, visit the Social Security Administration website at www.ssa.gov.

Five steps to tame financial stress.

Do you sometimes lie awake at night thinking about bills that need to be paid? Does it feel as though you're drowning in debt? If this describes you, you might take solace in the fact that you're not alone. A recent report released by the American Psychological Association (APA) showed that 72% of adults feel stressed about money at least some of the time, and 22% said the amount of stress they experienced was extreme.¹ The bad news is that stress can be responsible for multiple health problems, including fatigue, headaches, and depression. And, over time, stress can contribute to more significant health issues, including high blood pressure and heart disease.² The good news is that there are some simple steps you can take to reduce or eliminate some of the financial stress in your life.

1. Stop and assess

The first step in reducing financial stress is to look at your situation objectively, creating a snapshot of your current financial condition. Sit down and list all of your financial obligations. Start with the items that are causing you the most stress. For debts, include the principal due, the applicable interest rate, and the minimum payment amount. If you're not already doing so, review your bank account and credit-card statements to track where your money is going. The goal here is not to solve the problem; it's to determine and document the scope of the problem. You might find that this step alone significantly helps alleviate your stress level (think of it as facing your fears).

2. Talk to your spouse

If you're married, talk to your spouse. It's important to communicate with your spouse for several reasons. First, you and your spouse need to be on the same financial page; any steps you take to improve your situation are going to be most effective if pursued jointly. Second, not being on the same page as your spouse is only going to lead to additional stress. In fact, the APA report showed that 31% of spouses and partners say that money is a major source of conflict or tension in their relationship.³ Additionally, your spouse or partner can be a valuable source of emotional support, and this emotional support alone can lower stress levels.⁴ If you're not married, family or friends might fill this role.

3. Take control

First, go back and take a look at where your money is going. Are there changes you can make that will free up funds you can save or apply elsewhere? Even small changes can make a difference. And exerting control over your situation to any degree can help reduce your overall stress level. Start building a cash reserve, or emergency fund, by saving a little bit each paycheck. Think of the emergency fund as a safety net; just knowing it's there will help reduce your ongoing level of stress. Work up to a full spending plan (yes, that's another way of saying a budget) where you prioritize your expenses, set spending goals, and then stick to them going forward.

4. Think longer term

Look for ways to reduce debt long term. You might pay more toward balances that have the highest interest rates. Or you might consider refinancing or consolidation options as well. Beyond that, though, you really want to start thinking about your long-term financial goals, identifying and prioritizing your goals, calculating how much you might need to fund those goals, and implementing a plan that accounts for those goals. Having a plan in place can help you with your stress levels, both now and in the future.

5. Get help

Always remember that you don't need to handle this alone. If the emotional support of a spouse, friends, or family isn't enough, or the level of stress that you're feeling is just too much, know that there is help available. Consider talking to your primary-care physician, a mental health professional, or an employee assistance resource, for example.

A financial professional can also be a valuable resource in helping you work through some of the steps discussed here, and can help direct you to other sources of assistance, like credit or debt counseling services, depending on your needs.

The most important thing to keep in mind is that you have the ability to control the amount of financial stress in your life.

¹,³,⁴ American Psychological Association, "Stress in America™: Paying with Our Health,"
www.stressinamerica.org, February 4, 2015

² Mayo Clinic Staff, "Stress Symptoms: Effects on Your Body and Behavior,"
www.mayoclinic.org, July 19, 2013

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Content prepared by Broadridge Investor Communication Solutions, Inc. Copyright 2016

Investment and insurance products and services are offered through INFINEX INVESTMENTS, INC. Member FINRA/SIPC. Infinex and the bank are not affiliated. Products and services made available through Infinex are not insured by the FDIC or any other agency of the United States and are not deposits or obligations of nor guaranteed or insured by any bank or bank affiliate. These products are subject to investment risk, including the possible loss of value.