As people get older and near retirement, many start looking for ways to make their finances easier. After retiring, most folks have a set income each month, so they prefer knowing in advance what their costs will be. This is particularly important if you’re thinking about moving into assisted living. 

How can you best handle loans and debts? One option that seems appealing is a fixed-rate loan because it’s steady and helps with budgeting easily, but the question arises, “Is this always the best way?” Let’s dive deeper into all aspects that could sway your decision.

Understanding Fixed-Rate Loans

A fixed-rate loan means you have the same interest rate for the entire term. In simple terms, your monthly payment stays steady because both the principal and interest parts don’t change. This is great if you like things to stay consistent. 

For seniors with a set income from sources like Social Security or pensions, this can be ideal. There are no nasty surprises in budgeting due to changing rates every month. But here’s something important. These loans typically start out pricier compared to variable ones on initial costs alone, which need consideration as well.

Evaluating Personal Financial Stability

Seniors need to think about whether a fixed-rate loan fits into their financial plans. They have to look at how secure their finances are right now. Those with lots of savings might manage variable loans better, but for many on set incomes, future interest hikes can be tough. 

It’s also key that these fixed rates help when planning long-term because they keep you safe if the rates go up over time. However, seniors should really consider if they could handle any increase in costs down the line, especially since there may not be much wiggle room financially speaking.

The Role of Market Conditions

The state of the market is key when deciding on a fixed-rate loan. If the interest rates are low, it makes sense to lock in that rate. However, if they’re high or likely to drop soon, now may not be the best time for this type of loan commitment. 

Seniors have to keep watching what’s happening with market trends and economic forecasts, which can sometimes throw you curveballs. It’s necessary to wisely weigh out present conditions against how things might shape up economically over your course of repaying.

Long-Term Planning and Flexibility

Seniors need to plan for the long haul if they’re thinking about a fixed-rate loan. With this type of loan, you can relax knowing your payments won’t change over time, which is really handy if you’re living on a set income. But don’t forget that these loans usually last longer and may not suit everyone’s needs. 

Seniors should think about what lies ahead financially, such as any healthcare bills or how their savings stack up against future costs that might pop out from nowhere unexpectedly. A characteristic thing with fixed rates is that it’s stable but could tie borrowers down into an extended financial promise.

Conclusion

A fixed-rate loan could be just the ticket for seniors wanting to pair their steady incomes with predictable finances. But it won’t work perfectly for everyone! 

Your own financial health, what’s going on in the market, and your long-term money plans are all crucial when deciding if this type of loan fits into your economic game plan as you age. Seniors should really think about these things before choosing any sort of loan, especially one that is a fixed rate, making sure whatever they choose actually helps them during retirement.

You should know that a gold individual retirement account will allow you to hold precious physical metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. The main idea is that a standard account will not allow you to make such investments, so you should open a self-directed one.

That is why a custodian must store and handle the metal you purchase, which is the IRS regulation. We recommend you check here, which will help you understand more about investing in precious metals.

Although it is highly convenient, choosing it comes with higher expenses, while you will not take entire advantage of the tax benefits that every retirement account features. 

Still, one of the most attractive physical investments is in gold because it is a durable, tangible, and valuable asset that increases value during plummeting stock markets, political issues, and inflation. 

Although the problems are not happening nowadays, most investors wish to diversify their portfolios by adding a percentage of gold, which prevents complete loss. 

It is one of the several commodities you can put in a retirement account. Still, before you purchase bullion, the main goal is to understand everything about gold IRA. Let us start from the beginning. 

Things to Know About Gold IRA

As mentioned above, if your goal is to own physical gold and use it for long-term retirement investment, you cannot use the regular account. Instead, you should create a unique or separate option known as a gold IRA. 

Of course, you can place other precious metals inside, while it comes with the same distribution and contribution limits as a regular account. Instead of using paper assets such as bonds and stocks, precious metals IRA is perfect for holding physical commodities in the form of bars and coins in different sizes and purities. 

The main goal is to find gold IRA companies that will allow you to start the process. We recommend you research online beforehand, which will help you search and choose.  

You can also invest in mining and production companies, mutual funds, and ETFs, which will diversify everything. However, before you make up your mind, it is vital to open a self-directed IRA, meaning you can manage it directly with a certified custodian. They must be IRS-approved institutions meaning brokerage, trust company, or bank. 

At the same time, other mutual funds or financial companies that handle regular accounts will not deal with self-directed options, meaning you should start from nothing. Besides, it would be best to find a professional and licensed dealer who will make purchases on your behalf. 

Generally, each self-directed individual retirement account custodian will offer you specific investment offers, meaning you should learn about them before opening an account. At the same time, you can set it as traditional, meaning you will get tax-deductible contributions or Roth, which comes with tax-free distributions. 

Besides, it would help if you funded it by using a contribution, a rollover from a qualified plan such as 401k, and transferring money to it. It is vital to remember that you cannot purchase any coin or bar. Instead, they should pass IRS standards regarding weight and purity, while you must store them in pre-approved depositories. 

Suppose you wish to purchase coins. In that case, we recommend choosing the ones from government mints, which will provide you peace of mind.

Advantages

• Tax Benefits – You should know that IRAs come with specific tax treatment. Therefore, contributions are deductible, while qualified withdrawals do not undergo taxation.
• Long-Term Investment – Since physical gold is not as liquid as other options, it is a buy-and-hold investment that will protect your funds in economic turmoil. As a result, you do not have to think of it for decades until you reach a certain age where you can qualify for retirement. 
• Additional Control – You should know that gold individual retirement accounts must be self-directed. Therefore, you will manage investment decisions and holdings, which is vital to understand beforehand. 

Enter this site: https://www.thebalancemoney.com/guide-to-investing-in-gold-coins-357974 to learn everything about buying coins. 

Disadvantages

• Income Does Not Feature Tax Advantages – Compared with mutual funds, stocks, and bonds, you should know that bullion will not pay you dividends, interests, and significant returns. Therefore, you cannot use the tax-free growth of investing. You can get capital gain when you decide to sell it and make a profit.
• Significant Expenses – You cannot keep gold in a bank’s safe deposit box or home. Instead, you must pay a custodian to insure, store, transport, ship, purchase, and handle the physical commodity you wish to get. As a result, fees are more significant than regular retirement account management expenses. 

When trading stocks in Singapore, there are some risks you’ll need to avoid. You can place a few different types of stock orders to help mitigate these risks. Try this out yourself via this link.

Limit Order

A limit order is to buy or sell a security at a specified price or better. Your broker will only execute a buy limit order at the limit price or lower and a sell limit order at the limit price or higher. There is no assurance that your broker will execute your limit order.

Market Order

A market order is buying or selling a security at the best price. Market orders are usually executed quickly, but the exact price is not guaranteed.

Stop Order

You can place a stop order to buy or sell a security when it reaches a specific price, known as the stop price. When the stop price is attained, it becomes a market order. Stop orders are typically used to limit losses or lock in profits.

Stop-Limit Order

You can place a stop-limit order to buy or sell a security at a specified price or better after the stop price is attained. After attaining the stop price, the stop-limit order becomes a limit order and will only be executed at the specified price or better.

Trailing Stop Order

You can place a trailing stop order to buy or sell a security when it reaches a specific price, known as the trailing stop price. The trailing stop price is automatically adjusted as the stock price moves up or down. When the stock price reaches the trailing stop price, the order becomes a market order.

Fill-or-kill order

You can place a fill-or-kill (FOK) order to buy or sell a security that your broker must execute immediately and in its entirety, or it will be cancelled. This type of order is typically used in fast-moving markets where a stock price can change rapidly.

Good-til-cancelled order

A good-til-cancelled (GTC) order is an order to buy or sell a security that remains in effect until the trader cancels it. GTC orders are often used when a trader wants to buy or sell a stock without entering a market order.

Immediate-or-cancel order

You can place an immediate-or-cancel (IOC) order to buy or sell a security that your broker must execute immediately, but only partially, if necessary. Any portion of the IOC order your broker cannot fill immediately will be cancelled.

Limit-on-close order

A limit-on-close (LOC) order is an order to buy or sell a security at the end of the trading day at a specified price, known as the limit price. LOC orders are only executed if the stock’s closing price is at or below the limit price for a buy order or at or above the limit price for a sell order.

Why use orders when trading stocks?

Price protection

When you place a limit order, you know the maximum price you’re willing to pay for a stock or the minimum price you’re willing to sell it for. It protects you from sudden price changes in a fast-moving market.

Time savings

A market order may be the best choice if you’re trying to buy or sell stock quickly. Market orders are typically executed more quickly than other types of orders.

Reduced risk

A stop order protects you from losses if a stock’s price falls below a certain level. You can limit your losses by placing a stop order and exiting the trade if necessary.

Stop-limit orders can also help reduce risk by allowing you to specify the exact price at which you’re willing to buy or sell a stock. This type of order can help prevent you from overpaying on a stock or selling it for too low of a price.

Better execution prices

In some cases, limit orders can help you get a better price for your shares than a market order. If you place a limit buy order for a stock trading at SGD10 per share, and the stock’s price falls to SGD9.50 per share, your broker will execute the order at SGD9.50 per share.

On the other hand, if you place a market order to buy the same stock, you may end up paying SGD10 per share. So, in this case, a limit order saved you SGD0.50 per share.

Wellman Shew Discusses 5 Reasons Why Someone May Need Life Insurance

FRESNO, CA / 2022 / Many people think life insurance is unnecessary until later in life. Agency manager and owner of Shew & Company, Wellman Shew, recently discussed five reasons why someone may need life insurance earlier in life. 

“Life insurance can put your mind at ease and save your family during a time of crisis,” Shew said. “Unfortunately, these situations can happen at all ages — not just when we’re old.”

Shew explained five common reasons why a person may benefit from purchasing life insurance now.

1. Marriage 

A lot of financial discussions take place before a couple gets married. Life insurance should be one of those conversations. 

Joint life insurance policies are designed for married couples. They can help lessen the burdens of estate and inheritance taxes on beneficiaries. A life insurance policy should also be considered if one or both parties are bringing children into the family from a previous relationship.

2. A Growing Family

The expectance or birth of a child is a common reason individuals and families purchase life insurance policies. Life insurance can cover education, a home mortgage, or other expenses if a parent dies. Experts suggest considering life insurance while planning a future family or once the first child is born.

3. Business Ownership

Business ownership is a major reason to consider a life insurance policy. The owner of a business typically plays a major role in its success. 

A business-owned disability insurance or life insurance policy will name the business as a beneficiary so that it can stay afloat. 

4. Private Student Loan Holders

Private student loans create a large amount of debt that can be a major burden to others if the loan holder dies. Wellman Shew explained that a life insurance policy could prevent this debt from being left behind to cosigners, spouses, or others.

5. Thrill Seekers

Extreme sports are more popular than ever, and they put individuals at a higher risk of disability or death. Individuals who work high-risk jobs also have a higher chance of dying or becoming injured from unnatural causes. 

Individuals seeking life insurance for these reasons may pay a higher base premium or annual fee, but they can also live with the peace of mind that their lifestyle choices won’t leave the ones they love with crippling debt. 

Wellman Shew and Life Insurance

Wellman Shew is a business and insurance specialist with more than 40 years in the industry. He is President and Agency Manager at Shew & Company Insurance Services Inc. He was named the Member of the Year for the CCAHU local health underwriter underwriters association and has received countless other industry awards.

Shew enjoys using his life insurance knowledge to save families from potentially devastating financial situations.