MICHAEL'S MONTHLY MONEY MINUTE

January 2022 | Issue 2

What to Watch...

Hot Topics Worth Sixty Seconds of Your Time

Volatility.

Interest rates.

Diversification.

Money mindfulness.

Read The Full Transcript Here

2021 Snapshot & Perspective

Another year of double digit market growth is in the books, but it wasn't without some volatility from the third into the fourth quarter, giving investors an opportunity to increase their market share and experience some year end growth.

In spite of high inflation, we ended 2021 with a strong "Santa Claus rally" making up nearly half or more of the year's returns across seven sectors.

Predictions for 2022 are mixed with four or more interest rate hikes likely and a potentially volatile tech sector, as we are seeing the NASDAQ recently in correction territory. Keeping this time in perspective is important. Most of us are playing the long game. When looking at the last 94 years with average returns of 7% - peaks and valleys are to be expected. It is important to keep emotional decisions at bay and respond to the data available to us, rebalancing one's portfolio accordingly.

Planning Ahead

Quick Assessment:

How's that working for you?

The start of a new year is a good time to reasses your spending habits and accumulation goals. Here are a few good questions to ask yourself as you reflect and look ahead.

Do you have a tracking system that works well for you? If not, how can you decrease the friction and make your tracking habitual?

If you have business and personal accounts would it make more sense to hire a bookkeeper to save you time and keep you organized?

Were you able to achieve your accumulation goals in 2021? If so, do you have a clear strategy for how you will distribute your savings across various types of accounts?

If you weren't able to achieve your accumulation goals are you clear on why? How can that information help you determine achievable goals for 2022?

Taking time to reflect on strategies you adopted and their effectiveness, then reframing or revising them, is an important part of any financial plan.

Here's to a prosperous year ahead!

Your Values

Sustainable Strategies Outperformed in 2021

Read The Morningstar Article Here

According to this article from Morningstar, last year the most sustainable names outpaced the market. While volatility in 2022 is likely, as we have already seen at the start of this year, this trend of market and industry leaders aligning with Environmental, Social, and Governance metrics will likely continue. We have more control than ever over how we want our investments to impact the world around us.

If you are curious about adopting a strategy that aligns with the causes you believe in most and understanding how your current portfolio stacks up, start with this questionnaire.

Your Impact Assessment Here

Crypto Corner

Highly Rated Crypto Tracking Software

With tax time upon us it is important to have a simple way to track any buying and selling you are doing with digital currency. Cryptotrader.tax by CoinLedger seems to be the most comprehensive tax software out there. A complete list of compatable wallets, DeFi, and exchanges is found below. Your accountant will thank you and you'll save hours of time attempting to bookkeep your transactions.

List of Cryptotrader Platform Integrations Here

Retirement Planning

Tips for Your IRA Contributions

Taking advantage of the tax-free growth in a ROTH IRA is an ideal scenario for many investors. For now, Backdoor ROTH's and ROTH Conversions are still alive.

Paying the taxes on an a Traditional IRA today and converting it to a ROTH IRA may a be wise move for some.

You are not limited to the number of conversions nor the amount you can convert annually, as long as you have the funds to pay Uncle Sam the taxes you would owe on the money today.

A Backdoor ROTH is only for one's annual contributions, so limits apply, but the option to convert existing IRA's are unlimited.

It can all be a bit confusing from an asset location and tax planning perspective, so be sure to consult with your accountant and financial advisor before making any decisions.

For more details on constructing an effective retirement strategy, feel free to give my recent blog post a read.

Blog Post: The Broccoli of Retirement

For My Current Clients

Quarterly account reviews and plan check-ins begin in February.

Keep your eyes peeled for a scheduling email coming soon.

Bring your questions, life updates, work changes, and anything pertinent you have to share.

I'm looking forward to connecting with everyone this tax season!

Tax Time Tools

Adopt a Checklist from the

Beginning of the Year

This end of the year checklist from Ken Rogers and the team at My Fiscal Office, LLC is a phenomenal tool to keep handy throughout the year. If you file your taxes quarterly, those are great times to bring this list out and glance through it. This is a comprehensive reminder of all the issues to keep track of as the year progresses, including:

Assets & Debts
Tax Planning
Cash Flow
Insurance Planning
Estate Planning
New Tax Laws
Financial Planning

Get the Checklist Here

Financial Insight

Cocktail Party Risk

Let's say you've taken a look at your finances and set some goals for this year. You're not totally sure how you are going to do it all, but you've decide to give it a go. Slowly, but surely, you're making a little progress. You feel confident. You seem to be on track.

You open Instagram and the further you scroll, the less confident you feel. Something unnerving starts to creep in and you're feeling like you're back at square one while everyone else is miles ahead. Where did that feeling come from and why?

In this blog post Bryan Koslow, Principal of Clarus Group, explains what Cocktail Party Risk is and how to best manage it.

Read the Full Article Here

Michael Raimondi (He/Him)

Financial Planning | Investments | Insurance

Clarus Group, LLC

Office: 201.633.5737

Mobile: 646.872.1288

Email: [email protected]

Clarus Group LLC ("Clarus Group") is a Registered Investment Advisor ("RIA"), with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Michael Raimondi provides investment advisory and related services through Clarus Group for clients in the State of New York and other states. Michael Raimondi and Clarus Group are not affiliated with the firms in which links were provided above.