They say we don’t always appreciate what we have until it’s gone. That was one of the big lessons learned during the pandemic — but there are others. We learned a lot about the quirks and interests of family members — which tend to change as our children grow and we don’t always realize how much.

We also learned to never take good health for granted. For many who either didn’t contract COVID-19 or did so with mild symptoms, it’s hard to appreciate that one small change in a person’s health — asthma or diabetes — could be the difference between some people not taking the disease seriously and others dying.

We also may have learned a thing or two about financial security and the value of emergency funds and insurance safety nets. If it has occurred to you that your household finances could be in better shape, particularly if we have more pandemics and more shutdowns in the future, please give us a call. We can help you position assets for reliable income and emergency cash.

Family

Students switched to online classes. College graduates moved back home with no job in sight. Breadwinners either worked from home or risked their health to serve in essential positions or to keep their businesses afloat. With fewer entertainment venues available, we were either all living in close quarters or living alone with greater social isolation than ever before. As of last July, 52% of people ages 18 to 29 lived with a parent. That’s the highest number in more than a century, according to the Pew Research Center. While some households may have fared better than others, in the best-case scenarios families learned to spend days upon days together sharing (and negotiating) indoor spaces, preparing meals together, walking and working in the yard, and talking. One parent of a boomerang Millennial observed, “You raise your kids to grow up, and somebody else gets to meet them like this, as adults. But now I get to know her like this.”1

Education

The pandemic may be the catalyst to effectively evolve our nation’s higher education system. At least some form of hybrid classes (online and in-person) are expected to continue permanently. In addition, colleges are becoming more focused on how to better prepare students to work (and find) jobs when they graduate, including more for-credit internships with local employers. Perhaps the growing cost of education may begin to subside, since the fees universities charge for student services has grown four times as fast as those for instruction. With so many students graduating with student debt throughout the last two decades, today’s young adults are questioning the value of a college education altogether. Instead, they are focused on a higher return of investment for taking on that level of debt. Today, only 66% of students say they believe a college degree offers a good return on investment, compared to 78% last August.2

Jobs

COVID redefined the concept of an “essential worker.” It is no longer just fire, police, emergency and hospital workers. The category has expanded to include grocery store stockers and clerks, factory floor workers and delivery drivers. Meanwhile, employees at every income level began to question their career choices, some not just abandoning jobs but switching professions. With more people enjoying the work-from-home option, they are less focused on how much they can earn but how it provides for their quality of life. If they earn less but are happier working from home, many are willing to make that sacrifice. As of January, a Pew survey revealed that 66% of unemployed people have seriously considered changing occupations.3

Saving and Spending

Since we could go nowhere and do nothing, millions of Americans saved more money in the early months of the pandemic. The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis reported that in 2020, the personal savings rate grew from 8.3% in February to 33.7% in April. By January 2021, it still remained as high as 20.5%. The ability to work from home meant fewer people dressed for work or paid dry cleaning bills. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Americans spent $23.9 billion less on clothing and footwear in the fourth quarter of 2020 than in the fourth quarter of 2019. There was less driving in both business and commercial markets, reflecting $88.2 billion less spent on gasoline and other energy goods than in 2019. Additional savings resulted from preparing more meals at home and exercising at home in lieu of gym fees. 4

Health

The relatively quick onset of COVID-19 showed just how fast industries could adapt when necessary, particularly the health industry. Policy makers are driven to focus more on wellness, prevention and public health. Employers (and schools) have a greater appreciation of how precautionary measures can help prevent the spread of other airborne and infectious diseases (during cold and flu season). And while the U.S. has been debating health care reform for years, there is now a greater appreciation of how value-based payment models can create a more resilient health care system.5

We take pride in assisting our clients with incorporating all aspects of their life into their Retirement Roadmap 360®. Take control of your financial future and give us a call at (734) 769-1719 today to see how we may be able to help you! 

1 Soumya Karlamangla. The Los Angeles Times. June 9, 2021. “A pandemic love story you haven’t heard before: Parents and their adult children.” https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2021-06-09/adult-kids-parents-have-unique-covid-love-stories. Accessed June 12, 2021.

2 Bianca Quilantan. Politico. Jan. 25, 2021. “How the pandemic forever changed higher education.” https://www.politico.com/newsletters/weekly-education-coronavirus-special-edition/2021/01/25/how-the-pandemic-forever-changed-higher-education-792939. Accessed June 12, 2021.

3 Joanne Lipman. Time. June 1, 2021. “The Pandemic Revealed How Much We Hate Our Jobs. Now We Have a Chance to Reinvent Work.” https://time.com/6051955/work-after-covid-19/. Accessed June 12, 2021.

4 Stephen Schramm. Duke Today. May 5, 2021. “How We’re Saving Money During the Pandemic.” https://today.duke.edu/2021/05/how-we’re-saving-money-during-pandemic. Accessed June 12, 2021.

5 Laura Joszt. American Journal of Managed Care. May 17, 2021. “Building a More Resilient and Sustainable Health System.” https://www.ajmc.com/view/building-a-more-resilient-and-sustainable-health-system. Accessed June 12, 2021.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic retirement income strategies and should not be construed as financial advice.

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions.

Investment Advisory Services are offered by Imber Financial Group, LLC., a Registered Investment Adviser firm. Insurance services are offered through Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. Imber Financial Group, LLC. and Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. are affiliated companies

What's Ahead for the Stock Market?

 

In November, the Dow experienced its best month since 1987, while the S&P 500 and Nasdaq indexes enjoyed their best month since April of this year.¹

 

With the election behind us and a vaccine on the horizon, the stock market has plenty to celebrate. Many consumers used the pandemic period to shore up their savings, which bodes well for their prosperity in the coming year. There is a low chance of increased taxes or massive reforms given the divide in Congress, and while interest rates remain low, the home-buying market is poised to soar on renewed consumer confidence. All of these factors may be historically good news for investment markets.²

 

The stock market increases 82% of the time in the first year of new presidential terms,³ and the S&P 500 has averaged 11.7% returns in the first year of every presidential term since the end of World War II, regardless of party affiliation. Furthermore, the S&P 500 has averaged 15.6% returns with Democratic presidents compared 10% with Republican presidents. Industries like technology, health care, financials and industrials tend to thrive under a Democratic president.⁴

 

Despite jobs and economic growth taking a hit in 2020, that fortunately wasn’t reflected in the stock market. For more insight on how to plan for the coming year, feel free to reach out to one of our financial advisors for a review.

We take pride in assisting our clients with incorporating all aspects of their life into their Retirement Roadmap 360®. Take control of your financial future and give us a call at (734) 769-1719 today to see how we may be able to help you!  

 

¹ Matt Egan. CNN. Nov. 30, 2020. “Trump said the stock market would crash if Biden won. The Dow just had its best month since 1987.” https://www.cnn.com/2020/11/30/business/stock-market-dow-jones-trump-biden/index.html. Accessed Nov. 30, 2020.

² Jeremy Siegel. Knowledge@Wharton. Nov. 21, 2020. “Jeremy Siegel: What’s Ahead for the Stock Market?” https://knowledge.wharton.upenn.edu/article/siegel-markets-economy/. Accessed Nov. 30, 2020.

³ Mark Hulbert. Marketwatch. Nov. 28, 2020. “Opinion: Here are your odds that stock prices will be higher at the end of 2021.” https://www.marketwatch.com/story/here-are-your-odds-that-stock-prices-will-be-higher-at-the-end-of-2021-2020-11-24?mod=MW_section_top_stories. Accessed Nov. 30, 2020.

⁴ Savita Subramanian. Merrill Lynch. Oct. 8, 2020. “The Markets and Presidential Elections.” https://www.ml.com/articles/market-volatility-presidential-elections.html#financial-research-and-insights. Accessed Nov. 30, 2020.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values. The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

Investment Advisory Services are offered by Imber Financial Group, LLC., a Registered Investment Adviser firm. Insurance services are offered through Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. Imber Financial Group, LLC. and Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. are affiliated companies

 

 

Is it Time to Go Global?

 

Competitive edge is a real factor. Here in the U.S., we boast that capitalism is the key to our success. Unfortunately, that key has gotten a little rusty lately thanks to the rampant spread of COVID-19 throughout the country. Some areas have locked down or experienced slowed economic growth because of safety protocols that prevented business as usual.

The principles of capitalism – such as competition and supply and demand – have been crippled.¹ On the other hand, countries that were hit early on with the pandemic have managed to control the contagion and reopen their economies.² Market analyst Carl Kawaja believes this comparative advantage gives way to more global opportunities than the U.S. can currently pursue. In his words: “I like to compare it to basketball – a sport where the U.S. historically has been fairly dominant. But then Argentina started getting better, and Greece started getting better, and Spain started getting better. And, the next thing you know, the U.S. lost the Olympics.”³

The good news is U.S. investors can take advantage if international companies pull ahead in the near-term while we struggle to flatten the curve of contagion. If you would like to consider ways to incorporate more global equity opportunity within your asset allocation, we’re happy to work with you. Don’t hesitate to reach out to schedule a consultation.

Regardless of the state of the pandemic, it’s important to recognize that not all the best investment opportunities are in the United States. According to the World Bank, in 2018 the nation represented only 44% of world stock market capitalization.⁴

Investing internationally does have its risks. But there are ways to do it strategically, such as investing in global mutual funds or ETFs, leaving the day-to-day stock picking to a professional money manager, whose job it is to weigh those risks, such as currency fluctuation, lack of government regulation, economic instability and the disruption of civil unrest. This means professional market analysts do the research and move assets in and out of geographic regions on your behalf.⁵

In recent weeks, Blackrock commented Europe has a “leg up” over the U.S. as well as other parts of the globe, citing the EU’s health care infrastructure and policy response to the pandemic. The money manager noted the region’s monetary and fiscal support provided a cushion during the pandemic that left many countries able to recover faster economically.⁶

Investors seeking income may consider global bonds, which have historically outperformed during short-term periods of market turmoil. They also offer the opportunity for long-term diversification benefits to U.S. investor portfolios.⁷

At Imber Wealth Advisors, we help people in the Ann Arbor area plan for retirement. With a strong financial plan in place, we can help you prepare to leave the workforce and live comfortably. Take control of your financial future and give us a call at (734) 769-1719 today!

 

¹ Jim Chappelow. Investopedia. April 6, 2020. “Capitalism.” https://www.investopedia.com/terms/c/capitalism.asp. Accessed July 20, 2020.

² Ferdinando Giugliano. Bloomberg. July 6, 2020. “Why Europe’s in Better Shape Than the U.S.” https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2020-07-06/coronavirus-recovery-why-europe-s-in-better-shape-than-the-u-s. Accessed July 20, 2020.

³ Capital Group. June 24, 2020. “Midyear Outlook: International markets on the comeback trail.” https://www.capitalgroup.com/advisor/insights/articles/international-midyear-outlook-2020.html. Accessed July 20, 2020.

⁴ James D. Peterson. Charles Schwab. Nov. 13, 2019. “Why Global Diversification Matters.” https://www.schwab.com/resource-center/insights/content/why-global-diversification-matters. Accessed July 20, 2020.

⁵ Tinesh Bhasin. LiveMint. July 24, 2020. “What to keep in mind if you want to invest in global markets.” https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/what-to-keep-in-mind-if-you-want-to-invest-in-global-markets-11593015469209.html. Accessed July 20, 2020.

⁶ Callum Keown. MarketWatch. July 20, 2020. “Risks are mounting for U.S. stocks. Here’s where BlackRock says investors should look instead.” https://www.marketwatch.com/story/risks-are-mounting-for-us-stocks-heres-where-investors-should-look-instead-says-blackrock-2020-07-20. Accessed July 20, 2020.

⁷ David Wakefield. Pensions & Investment. July 13, 2020. “Investing during a pandemic: Three results a global fixed income strategy can deliver.” https://www.pionline.com/Mondrian_globalfixedincome. Accessed July 20, 2020.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

Investment Advisory Services are offered by Imber Financial Group, LLC., a Registered Investment Adviser firm. Insurance services are offered through Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. Imber Financial Group, LLC. and Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. are affiliated companies

 

Midyear Market Outlook from Wealth Managers

 

Lately, the economy has looked as volatile as the stock market: up for a few weeks and then back down again. This is generally attributed to the reopening of the country in early May, followed by what looks to be a gradual and sporadic reclosing due to an upswing in outbreaks of the coronavirus. In early July, Raphael Bostic, president of the Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank, observed that recent signals show the economic recovery is in danger of stalling.¹

This volatile economic environment makes it difficult for money managers who publish midyear market comments, because the outlook could change by the time those reports are published. As always, whenever you read advice and predictions from financial professionals, it’s important to view recommendations within the context of your own goals, circumstances and investment portfolio. If you’d like to discuss any potential midyear changes in your strategy, please contact us to schedule a review.

Like most industry analysts, T. Rowe Price cautions that the trajectory in the equity and credit markets will depend on containment of the virus. Most analysts agree that economic recovery is dependent on “flattening the curve” of contagion. The good news is that T. Rowe analysts believe tech companies have accelerated in both growth and market power by several years due to remote-work demands. However, much depends on how well some of our global partners respond to the health crisis. This variable could cause U.S. distributors to rethink their corporate finances and supply chains.²

Charles Schwab’s midyear outlook acknowledges that much of the market’s gains since the first outbreak of COVID-19 can be attributed to the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates and the fiscal stimulus passed by Congress. However, it is unlikely that we will see additional significant fiscal initiatives moving forward, so the market is likely to start pricing based on a real growth rate that represents lost output from consumer goods and services. With that said, high unemployment rates and low inflation are likely to continue driving quantitative easing by the Federal Reserve, which is currently increasing its balance sheet by $120 billion a month in treasuries and mortgage-backed securities.³

The chief investment officer at Merrill Lynch offers a bullish perspective for the immediate future. Their analysts believe that the markets are in the early stages of another long-term bull session with above-average valuations. They favor equities relative to fixed income and cash, as well as the prospects of global equities since many countries have rebounded from the pandemic and show signs of acceleration.⁴

Morgan Stanley also maintains a positive outlook. Based on recent market resiliency, their analysts believe a new cycle has started and that a U.S. recovery may be more “normal” than widely predicted. In fact, analysts maintain the economy will recover by early 2021, driven by global gross domestic product with 3% growth for the year.⁵

The Capital Group keeps its outlook simple: The markets will remain volatile through the rest of the year. However, it believes that investors are better off weathering the storm in the market than sitting on the sidelines, as recent downturns have demonstrated that when the market does rebound, it remains stronger, longer.⁶

At Imber Wealth Advisors, we help people in the Ann Arbor area plan for retirement. With a strong financial plan in place, we can help you prepare to leave the workforce and live comfortably. Take control of your financial future and give us a call at (734) 769-1719 today!

 

¹ Kanishka Singh. Reuters. July 7, 2020. “Fed’s Bostic says U.S. recovery may be ‘levelling off’: FT interview.” https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-fed-bostic-idUSKBN2480G0. Accessed July 16, 2020.

² Robert W. Sharps, Justin Thomson and Mark Vaselkiv. T. Rowe Price. June 30, 2020. “Managing to the Other Side.” https://www.troweprice.com/personal-investing/resources/insights/managing-to-the-other-side.html. Accessed July 16, 2020.

³ Kathy Jones. Advisor Perspectives. June 30, 2020. “2020 Mid-Year Outlook: Fixed Income.” https://www.advisorperspectives.com/commentaries/2020/06/18/2020-mid-year-outlook-fixed-income. Accessed July 16, 2020.

⁴ Merrill Lynch. July 2020. “The Reflation Triangle.” https://olui2.fs.ml.com/Publish/Content/application/pdf/GWMOL/Viewpoint_July_2020_Merrill.pdf. Accessed July 16, 2020.

⁵ Morgan Stanley. June 14, 2020. “2020 Midyear Investor Outlook: Unusual Times Conventional Playbook.” https://www.morganstanley.com/ideas/global-investment-strategy-midyear-outlook-2020. Accessed July 16, 2020.

⁶ Capital Group. June 4, 2020. “U.S. Midyear Outlook: From recession to recovery.” https://www.capitalgroup.com/advisor/insights/articles/us-midyear-outlook-2020.html?cid=p55731464801&ad_id=449175591351&ext_id=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhP_5lrLS6gIV5QiICR1QpQPREAAYASAAEgJ3UfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds. Accessed July 16, 2020.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

Investment Advisory Services are offered by Imber Financial Group, LLC., a Registered Investment Adviser firm. Insurance services are offered through Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. Imber Financial Group, LLC. and Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. are affiliated companies

 

How the Pandemic is Affecting the Real Estate Market

Research has found that over a 150-year period (1870 to 2015), owning a home has proved to be one of the most stable and secure holdings compared to other types of investments. While offering the added benefits of providing shelter and leaving it as a legacy, residential property is generally viewed as a financial asset able to withstand most crises — even a pandemic.¹

For years, homeowners in many areas of the country have benefited from sustained high prices in the residential real estate market, largely due to the low sales inventory of existing homes. In early March, the housing market appeared poised for a solid spring, particularly in light of high demand and low mortgage rates.²

But all that quickly changed once the coronavirus broke out in the United States. In almost no time, the busy spring season for purchasing and selling homes was cut short by buyers hesitant to venture out — or risk their savings should they lose their jobs — and homeowners not wanting strangers traipsing through their homes. Open houses were canceled, and virtual tours became virtually the only way to check out an occupied property. Some in the industry expect this disruption and its subsequent impact on the economy to shift housing prices into a downward trend.³

For retirees, or workers planning for their retirement, owning your home can be an asset. You can sell it if you need the equity for retirement, assuming you find a cheaper place to live. Or you can draw from that equity if need be while remaining in your home. During this complex time, you have options, and it’s important that you consider all of them before taking any significant financial action.

One of the biggest problems brought on by the pandemic is that business closings, bankruptcies and job losses mean that millions of Americans do not have the money to pay their mortgage or rent. To help provide relief, some states including California, Texas, New York and Florida have temporarily banned evictions. On the federal level, a provision in the $2.2 trillion coronavirus relief package passed in March allows homeowners with government-backed mortgages to defer payments for up to a year.⁴

However, that doesn’t help the long-term plight of renters — or their landlords, for that matter. According to the National Apartment Association (NAA), the profit margin for many landlords is very thin, around 9 cents for every $1. Furthermore, about two-thirds of residential rental properties don’t qualify for the federal mortgage deferral because they were purchased outright or through private loans. If landlords can’t make their payments, they may lose the property and tenants could still get kicked out. And in the end, cities and counties lose property tax revenue.⁵

On the commercial side, the real estate market could be impacted by shelter-in-place workspaces. After all, even if things do return to normal, now that employers and employees have sampled remote work as a viable option, it could become more commonplace. This means companies may need less office space. Is it possible we could see a glut of empty office parks and skyscrapers in the future? The same could apply to brick-and-mortar retailers, as quarantining has exposed the value and convenience of online shopping to even the most diehard mall rat.

But, as usual, where there are holes in the market, there are opportunities for investors willing to take a risk. Well-capitalized commercial real estate owners may look to acquire some of these distressed buildings at bargain prices.⁶

At Imber Wealth Advisors, we help people in the Ann Arbor area plan for retirement. With a strong financial plan in place, we can help you prepare to leave the workforce and live comfortably. Take control of your financialfuture and give us a call at (734) 769-1719 today!

¹ Ivan Anz. Utah Business. May 4, 2020. “Here’s what real estate investors should expect after COVID-19.” https://www.utahbusiness.com/real-estate-investors-covid-19/. Accessed May 29, 2020.

² Jacob Passy. MarketWatch. April 6, 2020. “America’s housing market is showing the first signs of trouble from the coronavirus pandemic.” https://www.marketwatch.com/story/americas-housing-market-is-showing-the-first-signs-of-trouble-because-of-the-coronavirus-pandemic-2020-04-02. Accessed June 2, 2020.

³ Ana Durrani. Realtor.com. April 29, 2020. “What Your Real Estate Agent Wants You To Know About the Housing Market Right Now.” https://www.realtor.com/advice/buy/real-estate-agent-wants-you-to-know-housing-market-coronavirus/. Accessed May 29, 2020.

⁴ Prashant Gopal and Oshrat Carmiel. Bloomberg. May 12, 2020. “If Landlords Get Wiped Out, Wall Street Wins, Not Renters.” https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-05-12/if-landlords-get-wiped-out-wall-street-wins-not-renters. Accessed May 29, 2020.

⁵ Ibid.

⁶ Ariel Maidansky. MarketWatch. April 29, 2020. “The future of commercial real estate – the weak get shaken out and the strong take over whole new markets.” https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-future-of-commercial-real-estate-the-weak-get-shaken-out-and-the-strong-take-over-whole-new-markets-2020-04-29. Accessed May 29, 2020.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference.

Investment Advisory Services are offered by Imber Financial Group, LLC., a Registered Investment Adviser firm. Insurance services are offered through Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. Imber Financial Group, LLC. and Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. are affiliated companies

The Perks & Pitfalls of Self-Employment

Sole proprietors in the U.S. caught a huge break in April. The Paycheck Protection Program, borne out of the economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, became available to solo entrepreneurs and independent contractors on April 10, 2020.¹

According to a 2017 survey, 36% of U.S. workers are part of the gig economy.² With so many sole proprietors contributing to today’s economy, it stands to reason that the federal government would recognize these contributions through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act’s small-business loans and unemployment insurance provisions.

Retirement planning can be difficult when you work for yourself, especially when it comes to navigating the various retirement plan options. If you’d like help creating a strategy for income in retirement, please give us a call. We’ll work with you to craft a plan that is designed to match both your needs and business model.

One of the silver linings of the recent crisis may be a greater focus on the needs of independent workers. Following the lead of recent federal government legislation, individual states are getting in on the act. California, New York and Washington already offer paid family and medical leave benefit programs in which the self-employed can participate. Meanwhile, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon and the District of Columbia also are working to establish family and medical leave programs.³

Given the recent rise in unemployment numbers, it would be no surprise to see more people consider self-employment once the economy recovers. Many people don’t like having to rely on government benefits to see them through hard times, but recent experiences have shown that traditional employment may not always be reliable either. However, there are a mountain of considerations when it comes to becoming a full-time sole proprietor.

For example, it takes a broader set of business skills. Not only do you provide the product or service that you’re good at, but you also have to learn to manage the administrative functions of your business, including accounting, marketing and sales. Some of the sad truths of self-reliance are that there are often no financial safety nets, you might work long hours — even if you are sick or caring for a sick family member — and may not be able to enjoy vacations since you are “on call” nearly 24/7, 365 days a year.⁴

There are perks to being self-employed, however, such as the opportunity to earn unlimited income. There are also tax deductions that self-employed individuals may qualify for and potential household budget savings on things like professional business clothes and commuting expenses.⁵

¹ Elaine Pofeldt. CNBC. April 10, 2020. “Paycheck Protection Program aid opens for sole proprietorships and independent contractors.” https://www.cnbc.com/2020/04/10/paycheck-protection-program-opens-for-sole-proprietorships.html. Accessed April 30, 2020.

² Lisa Hogan. Bloomberg Law. Sept. 17, 2019. “The Gig Economy Could Change How Employers Gear for Next Recession.” https://news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/insight-the-gig-economy-could-change-how-employers-gear-for-next-recession. Accessed April 30, 2020.

³ Michelle Andrews. Kaiser Health News. March 19, 2020. “Gig Economy Workers Hurt By Coronavirus Eye New Federal Funds For Relief.” https://khn.org/news/gig-economy-workers-hurt-by-coronavirus-eye-new-federal-funds-for-relief/. Accessed April 30, 2020.

⁴ Holly Johnson. The Simple Dollar. April 8, 2020. “Seven Truths About Self-Employment.” https://www.thesimpledollar.com/make-money/seven-truths-about-self-employment/. Accessed April 30, 2020.

⁵ Greg Johnson. Dough Roller. Dec. 2, 2019. “11 Financial Benefits of Being Self-Employed.” https://www.doughroller.net/small-business/11-financial-benefits-self-employed/. Accessed April 30, 2020.

Neither our firm nor its agents or representatives may give tax advice. Be sure to speak with a qualified professional about your unique situation.

We are an independent firm helping individuals create retirement strategies using a variety of insurance and investment products to custom suit their needs and objectives. This material is intended to provide general information to help you understand basic financial planning strategies and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. All investments are subject to risk including the potential loss of principal. No investment strategy can guarantee a profit or protect against loss in periods of declining values.

The information contained in this material is believed to be reliable, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed; it is not intended to be used as the sole basis for financial decisions. If you are unable to access any of the news articles and sources through the links provided in this text, please contact us to request a copy of the desired reference

Investment Advisory Services are offered by Imber Financial Group, LLC., a Registered Investment Adviser firm. Insurance services are offered through Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. Imber Financial Group, LLC. and Imber Wealth Advisors, Inc. are affiliated companies