The stock market continues to rally and unemployment is at an all time low. If ever there was a time to take advantage of a booming economy, it’s now.
While we celebrate 10 years of economic growth and a bull market that has continued to perform through 2019, it’s time to start planning the financial moves you’ll make in 2020 and beyond.
If things have been going well for you, long-term planning is imperative to protecting your financial gains.
(Not interested in making plans on your own? Here’s a step-by-step guide to finding a great financial planner.)
Here are the moves you should be making now to to protect your prosperity in 2020 and beyond.
Open a high-yield savings account
If you’re parking your family’s emergency savings in a regular savings account, you’re leaving money on the table.
A high-interest money market account (also called a high-yield savings account) will help you reach your savings goal faster than a traditional account.
If you’re not currently using this type of account or are simply unfamiliar with it, there are a few factors you should weigh when deciding which company to do business with.
Things like deposit requirements, interest rates, minimum balances, and maintenance fees will be at the forefront as you make your decision.
Here’s the full list of considerations:
• Initial deposit amount required to open the high-interest savings account;
• What is the agreed rate of interest that your account is eligible for and will there be any change in future?;
• Compounded interest on your savings (the more frequent the better);
• The minimum balance required to be maintain your high interest rate;
• Fees applicable on your account;
• Additional account requirements the bank may need;
• Deposit options and transactions permitted to your account;
• Accessibility to your money.
Looking for a shortlist of the best high-yield accounts? CIT Bank currently has one of the highest interest rates on the market at 1.85% (please note that rates fluctuate).
Another great option is BBVA. Their current rates stand at 1.5%. Make sure to review all of your options before making your choice. But don’t take too long, or these rates will surely go away.
Ask for a Raise
The unemployment rate in America has declined drastically and currently stands at an all time low. But as companies rake in tax savings and record profits, real wages have actually declined.
If you’re at a big enough company, look for a new role that comes with more responsibilities and more money.
Have you implemented new systems or closed new business? Set a meeting and make your pitch for a 5–10% increase. Use language like “imagine if I hadn’t been there to acquire that new account”. This helps your employer clearly see your impact without being overly aggressive.
Or Plan a Career Move
Ready for a counterintuitive approach to getting ahead? If you’re super comfortable in your current role and happy with the amount of money you’re making — go on an interview.
It might seem like the worst idea in the world or the last thing you want to do, but Conrad Woody, a successful Talent Management Consultant, advises his top clients to do just that.
“Sometimes, we can be so deep into our jobs that we stop exercising those competitive skills that helped get us there in the first place,” says Woody.
“Even if you’re very happy in your role, it’s important to focus on continued professional development and keep tabs on industry trends within your profession. While you’re ingrained in a challenging role, it’s possible to miss things changing right before your eyes in your profession.”
On the other hand, if you’ve been passing around your resume and not getting through the abyss, you may need a resume refresh.
Whether you’re starting from scratch, need an update, or want a “done for you” option, I recommend working with the extremely affordable and quality resume writers at TopResume or finding an industry-tested template at Resume.io.
Take a Real Estate Leap
If you’ve always wanted to own real estate assets, it may just be time to take the plunge. Whether you’re interested in physical rental properties or REITS, with interest rates declining, owning assets with higher returns becomes a good financial strategy.
Although investing in physical real estate takes lots of upfront cash, options abound.
REITs, or real estate investment trusts, allow investors to pool their money so an individual can invest as little as $500 into a larger real estate deal. That’s less than some of us spend on a paid of shoes.
Trusts like DiversyFund do all the upfront work of finding the right investment properties so you don’t have to. Things like finding properties, analyzing them for cash flow, and manage any remodeling needed is done by the trust in-house.
Because of this hands on approach, they save on lots of outside services and pass those savings on to investors like you.
Launch a Side Hustle
Owning your own business is one of the most impactful financial strategies you can employ.
There are a number of business ideas you can launch with little to no money. From starting a blog to selling physical or digital products on Amazon, barriers to entry are at an all time low.
If you’ve been itching to start something, the time to do it is now.
