There is something better and you can be apart of that solution

This post is in response to my last blog. That is how I want to start my blog. By having one post that raises some questions and the following blog that answers some of those questions.

I hope that you have either started or added to your life's vision by writing down your goals, dreams, and desires. That will continue to be the guiding force throughout any type of financial planning for your life. When the word financial planning is said taxes always need to be brought into the discussion, as well. They serve a purpose but are always a downer when taken from your pay check. If you wrote down a list as I suggested or maybe even just thought about it, you saw the problem. Taxes are most likely going to go up in the near future. They will go up and so will interest rates. A Putting your savings into a 401k is not in it's entirety a bad thing at this point in history. It could very well be a bad thing depending on your short to mid term goals but there are two reasons why I think 401k savings is not all that bad. It's not bad if your employer gives a favorable match. I would not advise anyone to put into their 401k anymore than the match but if your goals allow you to lock up your money to get that match then do it. The second reason 401k savings is not all that bad is, you are saving money. So many American families don't save enough money. We are a consumer driven society that does not stop to think about the future and everything that is encompassed in that future. 

I believe there are better vehicles to put your savings. Instead of putting your savings for retirement in a tax deferred account I would suggest a pre taxed account with the future of taxes in America. Taxes are a huge "leak in the bucket" that get over looked! When in reality, taxes are the #1 wealth accumulation inhibitor. 

There is a case that I am working on at the moment where my client is losing over 1.5 million of his dollars to taxes. My joint partner and I have created a strategy to put over half of that money back into my clients pocket and lifestyle.

So many Americans think of retirement as an idea instead of an attainable reality. It is an attainable reality but it takes effort and strategy. My colleagues and I live in a world where SO many individuals and families never visit. When they sit down with us we try to open their eyes to the whole picture. My belief is that people in America keep their head down when it comes to their finances and try to survive the day to day while putting whatever savings they can into the most convenient savings vehicle they can. We all move so fast in America and don't want to get thrown off of our course. That course, in my belief, is surviving the day to day and hoping that there will be something down the road for retirement. 

My challenge to anyone who reads this blog is to sit down and really think about the decisions you are making. Every decision has an opportunity cost. If you don't know what opportunity cost is Google it. Opportunity cost is involved in every decision that you make in life whether that decision is to walk the dog in the morning or hiding your money under your mattress. 

I want to open your minds to financial facts and financial fiction because it will elevate your thinking to more of a beneficial level. Don't assume anything to be true until you investigate it and do all of the research until every stone is overturned and examined. Put some effort into this area of your life, your money, which in so many cases drives your very existence. Majority of Americans work a nine to five job to make money to spend, save, and/or give away. Don't let your toiling at work be in vain. Be apart of the solution and create a strategy with someone who has your best interest at heart. Someone who is going to ask you questions to create a plan specific to you.