Lazetta & Associates

This month of KNOWvember, we’re sharing what to KNOW and what to say NO to about money and life! ?? ?KNOW What You Bring to the Table? As you gather around the table to share a meal this Thanksgiving???, reflect on the value you bring to the tables you sit at professionally. Just like every dish at Thanksgiving brings its own flavor to the feast, your unique skills and contributions add value to your workplace. Here’s how to ensure you’re recognized—and compensated—for what you bring: ?? Be clear on performance expectations. Do you know exactly what success looks like in your role? Requesting a written evaluation and scheduling check-ins before your official review fosters transparency and collaboration, strengthening your case for higher pay or a promotion. ??? Document your impact. Keep track of measurable wins, like projects you’ve completed, money you’ve saved the company, or goals you’ve surpassed. This evidence shows your contributions are worth every dollar (and then some!). ?? Research salary ranges. Know the market salary of your position, considering your industry, experience, and location. Websites like Glassdoor or Payscale can give you a starting point. Knowledge is power when negotiating. This Thanksgiving, remember: knowing your value is the first step to demanding what you deserve. Let’s make this a KNOWvember to remember!?

This month of KNOWvember, we’re sharing what to KNOW and what to say NO to about money and life! ?? ?KNOW I appreciate your birthday wishes!? In this age of technology, I had the unique gift of seeing a reflection of my life as I celebrated my birthday this week.?? The outpouring of birthday love, prayers, and wishes from so many people across my journey reminded me of a profound truth: it truly takes a village to experience a life well-lived. From birth to death, the dash between these dates on a tombstone reflects the story of our lives, shaped by what we choose to give, receive, accept, and release. It’s about finding the balance between simply being and actively doing, all while walking this journey within our chosen communities. This journey is as messy as it is beautiful. I’m grateful for the community that has shaped my life and our #realwealth journey together. Thank you, my beloved community, for making this birthday and my life so special and meaningful!??????? Let’s continue to make this a KNOWvember to remember!?

This month of KNOWvember, we’re sharing what to KNOW and what to say NO to about money and life! ?? **KNOW the value you share with the world??** As the daughter of blue-collar workers, granddaughter of sharecroppers, and a direct descendant of enslaved ancestors, I heard, witnessed, and experienced “working your fingers to the bone”—whether in scorching hot tobacco fields of Virginia, pungent construction and factory sites, or overseer-designed, open office spaces. These work environments demanded every ounce of your talent, energy, health, and self-worth—your human capital—in exchange for no pay, low pay, or unequal pay. Despite horrid working conditions, my grandparents, parents, and, therefore, I, knew we are worthy of fair treatment and respect. We carry ourselves with dignity and grace even as our physical and economic existence constantly remains threatened. We know that we represent assets, who are no longer on the balance sheets of slaveowners and corporations as our ancestors once were. We own our worth, decide how we desire to share our value with the world, and advocate for being paid for our worth. ? What is your generational wealth story? ? What value have you and your family shared with the world? ? How have you and your family advocated to receive fair compensation for your contributions? Let’s make this a KNOWvember to remember!?

This month of KNOWvember, we’re sharing what to KNOW and what to say NO to about money and life! ?? Say NO to financial distractions. ?? In a world full of noise, it's easy to be sidetracked by distractions that pull you away from your financial goals. When you say 'no' to these temptations, you’re saying 'yes' to staying on track with your financial life and legacy." ??Chasing Quick-Fix Investment Strategies: Focusing on hot tips or speculative investments you don’t understand can derail your investment plan. ?? Impulse Spending: Overspending and overindulging in your lifestyle plan delays saving and investing goals. ?? Relying on Debt: Maintaining uncontrolled debt balances reduces your financial stability and flexibility. ?? Neglecting Your Emergency Fund: Failure to consistently save and rebuild your emergency fund often forces you to rely on high-interest debt when emergencies arise. ?? Ignoring Retirement Planning: Delaying retirement contributions or not diversifying retirement investment holdings and accounts can limit your future financial security. ?? Trying to Keep Up with the Joneses: Comparing your financial situation to others can cause stress and lead to decisions not aligned with your values or goals. ???? Desiring Immediate Gratification: Avoiding the bigger picture of wealth accumulation for short-term pleasures can lead to irreversible regret. ?? Trusting Untrustworthy Advice: Relying on unproven and unaligned sources of advice could lead to avoidable missteps and missed opportunities. Let’s make this a KNOWvember to remember! ?

This month of KNOWvember, we’re sharing what to KNOW and what to say NO to about money and life! ?? Do you KNOW your WHY? Your Real Wealth journey is about finding true alignment between your mission ?? (your goals and values ), your mind ?? (beliefs and habits), and your money ??. At the heart of this journey is the wise use of your human capital ????(your essence and talents), social capital????????(your network), and financial capital ?? (your resources). So, is your capital in sync with your Real Wealth journey ? Maybe it’s time for a WHY Audit ?? ? Why do you share your time, energy, and money with the people you do? ?Why do you work where you do? ?Why do you spend money the way you do? ?Why do you incur debt the way you do? ?Why do you save and invest the way you do? ?Why have you protected you and your assets the way you have? ?Why do you partner with the mentors and professionals you do? ?Why do you define success in the way that you do? ?Why do you seek the kind of legacy you envision leaving? Understanding your "WHY" brings clarity and purpose, empowering you to make choices that support your #realwealth journey. Let’s make this a KNOWvember to remember!?

This month of KNOWvember, we’re sharing what to KNOW and what to say NO to about money and life! ?? Do you KNOW if your business has met the federal 2024 FinCEN BOIR requirements to avoid penalties? Starting January 1, 2024, specific businesses are required to file a Beneficial Ownership Information Report (BOIR) with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). The report includes details such as your business’s identification, formation, and key individuals who control it. Failing to file or providing inaccurate information can lead to severe penalties—daily fines up to $500/day with a maximum of $10,000 and imprisonment up to 2 years. Refer to the official website for more information: https://www.fincen.gov/boi Let's make it a KNOWvember to remember!

This month of KNOWvember, we’re sharing what to KNOW and what to say NO to about money and life! ?? Say NO to retail therapy! ??? While it might feel good in the moment, shopping as a stress relief can leave lasting financial dents. Instead, try shifting your focus to healthier ways to manage stress that don’t drain your finances. Invest in experiences, save toward a bigger goal, or set aside a small budget for ‘treat yourself’ moments that won’t derail your financial plan. When you’re mindful of spending, you’re saying YES to long-term financial wellness. Let’s make this a KNOWvember to remember! ???

This month of KNOWvember, we’re sharing what to KNOW and what to say NO to about money and life! ?? Say NO to family financial sabotage?? It’s not always easy, but protecting your financial well-being sometimes means setting firm boundaries with loved ones. Saying NO isn’t selfish—it’s essential for building a secure, lasting financial future for yourself and future generations. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when a family member asks for financial assistance: ?? Size up the situation: Choices or charity Is the financial request due to the individual’s choices, or is charity necessary because of circumstances beyond their control? ?? Set financial boundaries Earmarking how much you will lend or give allows you to confidently say no. ?? Think twice about debt funding Taking on debt such as a home equity line or cosigning for a loan can turn you into a charity case with no one to rescue you. ?? Comply with Internal Revenue Service gift-tax requirements For high-net-worth families, gift taxes must be considered when giving funds to a family member. Let’s make this a KNOWvember to remember! Full Blog: https://lnkd.in/gPnm5dCb

This month of KNOWvember, we’re sharing what to KNOW and what to say NO to about money and life! ?? Do you KNOW how the IRS annual limit changes for 2025 could impact your retirement contributions and tax strategy? For 2025, the IRS has announced new limits for contributions to 401(k)s, IRAs, and other qualified retirement plans. Many retirement plans offer Traditional (tax-deferred) and Roth (after-tax) contributions, as do IRA accounts. Traditional contributions allow you to reduce your taxable income and benefit from tax-deferred growth until retirement. Roth contributions are taxed now, and if you satisfy the IRS rules, your Roth distributions will be tax-free in retirement. Here’s what you need to KNOW: ??401(k) Contribution Limit: The new maximum contribution for 2025 has increased to $23,500. ?? 401(k) Catch-Up Contribution Limits: If you’re 50 or older, the catch-up contribution limit above the annual limit remains at $7,500. Starting in 2025, if you’re age 60 - 63, your catch-up limit is $11,250. ?? IRA Contribution Limit: Remain at $7,000 for qualified individuals based on IRS rules. ?? IRA Catch-Up Contribution Limit: Remains at $1,000 for qualified individuals based on IRS rules. Here are some next steps for your tax and retirement planning: ? Review your pay stub to determine your DOLLAR amount contribution and determine if you’re on track to reach the limit in 2024. This is important if your 401k election is based on a percentage of your pay. ? Whether close to or far from the 2024 limits, challenge yourself to increase your contributions for 2025. ? Look for instructions from or contact your HR department regarding changes to your 401k election for the remainder of 2024 and for 2025. ? Work with your tax professional and financial planner to determine your tax-friendly options and strategy for funding your retirement plan. Let’s make this a KNOWvember to remember! IRS Reference: https://lnkd.in/g-K8q_tc

This month of KNOWvember, we’re sharing what to KNOW and what to say NO to about money and life! “Do you KNOW what ‘enough’ looks like for you financially? For some, ‘enough’ means the peace of a paid-off home, the joy of taking three meaningful trips each year, and the deep satisfaction of knowing you’ll leave a legacy that supports your children, nieces, nephews, and generations to come. I’ve worked with individuals across the wealth spectrum, from ultra-high net worth to negative net worth. An interesting theme among those grappling with Real Wealth is the persistent feeling that what they have will never be ‘enough.’ This mindset can be consuming and can shift focus away from the financial goals and habits that create stability and fulfillment. Instead of appreciating how money can support their life and legacy, they fall into a cycle of scarcity and fear, leading to behaviors that undermine wealth and well-being. Here are some tips for defining your ‘enough’: ?Reflect on Your Values: Identify what truly matters to you and how money plays a role in those areas. Is it security, travel, family support, or freedom? ??? Set Clear, Realistic Goals: Outline specific financial goals that align with your vision of ‘enough,’ and create actionable steps to reach them. ?? Adopt a Growth Mindset: Shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance by celebrating progress and achievements, no matter how small. ?? Find An Accountability Partner: Share your dreams with a trusted individual, group, or professional to keep you true to your values, goals, and progress. Let’s make this a KNOWvember to remember!