Olde Raleigh Financial Group

Inheritances: An inheritance can be a wonderful windfall for anyone. But it can also be a huge burden. Several things can go awry when receiving large sums of money, or property, all at once. For one, it can be spent as quickly as it came – it’s easy to get carried away and indulge in the things we have always wanted but didn’t have the funds dedicated to purchase. Second, it can be the reason for a lot of stress and loss of sleep. The fear of making the wrong decision (analysis paralysis) can cause some people to want to avoid it all together. And third, the residual responsibility could potentially cost you money in the long run. So, what is the best way to approach this dilemma? Before you do anything, speak to a professional. They will help you balance your wants and your needs, as well as making sure you get the most out of the inheritance. Here are 4 ways a professional can help: - Paying off debt. Debt incurs interest and then you end up paying way more than the original debt was worth. A professional can help you figure out which debt to pay off (and any potential tax benefits), so you have more money in your pocket in the long run. - Invest it. Having a rainy-day fund is really nice, but also very tempting. So, instead of letting money just sit in the account, why not let your money work for you? An advisor can help you invest your money so that down the road, some can turn into a lot, and it’s there for when you really need it or when you are ready to retire. - Taxes. Any time there is money involved the government will want its piece. There are strategies to help protect your inheritance from at least some of the taxes associated. - Real Estate inheritances can have a lot of moving parts. It’s rarely as simple as just getting the keys. A professional can help you navigate the laws that come along with real estate inheritance. They can also help you understand the pros and cons – like whether or not there will be a mortgage, taxes, etc. Too often in our industry we see people make silly mistakes that cost them thousands, all because they weren’t educated. That’s why we strongly suggest that before you make any decisions, you speak to a professional about all your options. We do this day in and day out. We are happy to help. We will be here when you need us.

Four Investing Do’s and Don’ts Recently, it seems like the markets have been dominated by news-driven storylines. Whenever we’re in a period like this, we think it’s handy to remind ourselves about some basic Do’s and Don’ts that apply no matter what the media’s talking about. 1. DON’T make emotional decisions. During times of uncertainty, fear, or excitement, humans are prone to make decisions based on their “fight or flight” response. And this is true of our financial decisions! When market volatility strikes, many people make knee-jerk decisions simply so they can feel like they feel “in control.” When the markets are on a tear, some people fall prone to the “fear of missing out” and take on more risk than they should. Knee-jerk, or emotional decisions, often tend to do more harm than whatever it is we’re reacting to! So, always ask yourself, “Why am I doing this? Do I have a specific reason, or is it just because I feel like I have to do something?” 2. DO think long-term. Investing, by its very nature, is a long-term activity. Even people who are close to retirement are still investing for the long-term. Markets fall over days, weeks, and sometimes, months. But history has shown that they rise over the course of years and decades, which is good, because you’ll probably be investing for years to come! When the markets are volatile, investors often get reactive. Instead of sticking to their long-term strategy, they sell, sell, sell at a time when everyone is selling, or buy, buy, buy when prices are sky-high because everyone is buying. This means they are selling low and buying high — the opposite of what you want to do. Remember you’re in this for the long term. The road to your goals stretches for miles. Sometimes, the speed limit is 75 miles per hour. Sometimes, it’s only 25. Trying to take shortcuts just leads to longer delays. 3. DO think about your current asset allocation and risk tolerance. Whenever you feel the urge to make a move, first look at your overall portfolio and how it’s constructed. Does it still represent your goals and needs? Does it still fit your current situation and your current goals? Determining that is almost always more important than choosing whether to buy X or sell Y. And remember: You can always ask a professional for a second opinion if you’re unsure! 4. DON’T look at your portfolio each day and stress about every dip in the stock market. One of the worst mistakes investors can make is to obsessively check how their portfolio is doing. The markets are like a person’s body temperature – they are constantly rising and falling. Just as you probably don’t take your temperature every day, you don’t need to do that with your money, either. Prioritize your overall financial health over the day-to-day. If you ever have any questions or concerns about the markets, please feel free to contact us. We are always happy to chat!

As a business owner, you’ve poured your energy into building a successful company. But what happens when it’s time to step away from the day-to-day? Have you planned for the financial resources needed to sustain your lifestyle and pursue your personal goals? Understanding your lifetime capital needs is essential. A financial advisor can help you: ? Clarify what you want your wealth to achieve for your family and legacy. ? Build projections to estimate the assets needed for future expenses. ? Develop your wealth through strategies like reinvesting, retirement planning, and tax efficiency. ? Adapt your plan as life and circumstances evolve. Your business is only part of the equation—take steps to align your personal financial future with your long-term goals. ???????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????? ???? ?? ???????????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????? ????????. ???????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????, ?????????? ???? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ???????? ??????????????????.

When it comes to your finances, luck has little to do with it—it’s about strategy, planning, and taking consistent steps toward your goals. This St. Patrick’s Day, let’s toast to smart decisions and building wealth with intention. ??

In your 60s, life brings a new set of opportunities and questions. Women often carry unique financial responsibilities—balancing personal goals with family priorities. Having a trusted advisor as a sounding board can help bring clarity and confidence to your decisions, seeing that your plan is as adaptable as you are. What’s on your mind as you look toward this new chapter? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????? ???? ?? ???????????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????? ????????. ???????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????, ?????????? ???? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ???????? ??????????????????.

During times of uncertainty or fear, humans are prone to make decisions based on their “fight or flight” response... Yes, this is even true of our financial decisions! When market volatility strikes, many people make knee-jerk decisions simply so they can feel like they are doing something. So they can feel “in control.” But think about when you’re driving a car, and you see an animal in the road. What happens when you jerk the wheel? Yep – you’ll probably overcorrect and increase your odds of crashing. The same is true with your money! Knee-jerk, or emotional decisions, often tend to do more harm than whatever it is we’re reacting to! So, when making a decision, always ask yourself, “Why am I doing this? Do I have a specific reason, or is it just because I feel like I have to do something?” If you are ever about the uncertain about the markets or have any questions, please feel free to contact us. We are always happy to chat.

At Olde Raleigh Financial Group, we take pride in mentoring the next generation of financial professionals. Private Wealth Advisor, Tyler Lamar, recently showcased his communication skills by writing and presenting this compelling speech at Toastmasters International. We celebrate Tyler’s achievement, and his growth through Toastmasters.?We are anxiously awaiting his next installment of “words of wisdom” and we look forward to sharing it with you! What If… Two simple words—yet they hold immense power. What if I had taken that chance? What if I was more competitive? What if I had done things differently? ? As humans, we often ask this question—not before we act, but after we don’t. It’s the phrase of missed opportunities, of regret, and of hesitation. By itself, "what" is just curiosity and "If" is just possibility. But together, they create a spiral—a mental loop of hypothetical scenarios, playing out endless versions of reality that never came to be. But what if… we flipped the script? What if we used those words not to dwell on the past, but to fuel the future? What if we saw them as a challenge instead of a burden? Because the truth is—our “what ifs” don’t have to be regrets. They can be beginnings. Don’t let hesitation or fear write your story—Take action now, so you do not have to wonder what if again. Because the only thing worse than failure is the regret of never trying at all.

Tax season is right around the corner. A little preparation now—organizing documents, consulting your accountant, planning for refunds or bills—can mean fewer surprises later and a smoother, more controlled filing experience. Don't forget to engage your financial advisor in the discussion as well. ???????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????? ???? ?? ???????????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????? ????????. ???????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????, ?????????? ???? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ???????? ??????????????????.

In your 50s, every financial decision feels more pivotal than ever. Balancing immediate goals—like supporting family or funding travel—with retirement plans requires careful thought. Are these questions on your mind? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????? ???? ?? ???????????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????? ????????. ???????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????, ?????????? ???? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ???????? ??????????????????.

When couples plan their finances together, it’s about more than just the numbers. By opening a dialogue and aligning goals, you're able to build the right financial future - together. Have you and your partner revisited your financial vision lately? ???????? ???????????????? ???? ???????????????? ???? ?? ???????????????? ?????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????? ????????. ???????????? ?????????????? ???????? ???????????????????? ????????????????????????, ?????????? ???? ?????? ?????????????? ?????? ???????????????? ?????????????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ???????? ??????????????????.