We realize how quickly the world is changing, and with the lightning fast technologically-driven world in which we live, we understand the desire to have information in a quicker, more relevant way.
In response to this, we want to describe how we are expanding our initiative of sharing the content you’ve found useful on our blog through our social media networks.
What We Will Be Sharing
As many of you know, FSI has been sharing our ideas and commentary through our blog posts since 2007. We’ve written about everything from how to not worry about a falling stock market to the most commonly missed opportunities in your 401k.
Some of the more popular posts deal with the most asked questions we receive like, whether to take a lump sum or an annuity income stream for a pension or who should pay for college?
We also enjoy sharing views that you might not read elsewhere to provide a viewpoint that is slightly different than you are hearing from the financial celebrities in the mainstream media.
In the last few months we have been actively using Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin and Google+ to share new articles we are writing as well as other interesting pieces from others we follow. You might even find yourself in a recent photo from one our client appreciation events or charitable outings.
By keeping up with us on these networks, you’ll also see the latest areas we are being mentioned in media publications like Money Magazine and InvestmentNews.
It’s Not All About Us
In addition to sharing, we are discovering these networks are a great way to learn as well. Whether it’s following the thought leaders in our industry, interesting research sources, or mutual fund companies, there are enlightening ideas and fascinating charts being shared daily. Communicating this way also allows for conversations that you might not normally be able to have with people all over the world.
Just this weekend one of the organizations we are involved in, the Financial Planning Association, began the 2014 national conference in Seattle but thanks to the common hashtag, #FPABE, we are able to follow the ideas being shared within the presentations. Just in that sentence is a great example of how fast things are changing as the word “hashtag” was just added to the Oxford dictionary in June 2014.
So not only will we be sharing compelling news articles and our opinions on popular topics, but we’ll also be engaging in conversations with other thought leaders who are sharing relevant topics.
You can find or follow us on the following social media channels:
Twitter – Chad Smith (@csmithraleigh)
Twitter – Grace Kvantas (@GraceKvantas)
Twitter – Cameron Hendricks (@Cam_Hendricks)
In the weeks ahead, we will be creating new ways to share updates on our activity online as well as some of the more noteworthy ideas from others we are finding.
How We Are Getting Involved
In addition to sharing our new blog posts, we’ve started participating in financially-focused Twitter conversations sponsored by Experian over the last few weeks. They’ve dealt with questions from how to choose the best financial advisor to how best to plan and set goals. We’ve summarized some of the messages that FSI has shared during these conversations below.
Thanks to @mikedelgado at @Experian_US for facilitating these #creditchat conversations.
Topic: How to Choose a Financial Advisor
- Understanding Credentials helps to choose a financial advisor.
- There are no stupid questions when looking for an advisor. Here are a few of the most common questions to ask a financial advisor.
- Fee-only financial advisors, like FSI, are paid directly by clients, so they can give honest, unbiased advice.
- To find a fee-only financial advisor, visit the NAPFA “Find an advisor” link at www.napfa.org
Topic: How to Plan & Set Financial Goals
- Having a financial plan made is a great way to see if you are on track to meet your financial goals.
- Fear creates worry. Worry creates doubt. Doubt creates fear. Connect the three and it’s a Bermuda Triangle for goals.
- Because we are all unique, the best goals help you to become a better version of yourself.
- Accomplishing goals is easy. If you define easy as staying disciplined and modifying behavior.
- Daily steps toward the financial life you desire will bring more opportunity in the future.
- Welcome failure and learn from it. Set new goals, and eventually success will come.
Topic: How to Juggle Debt & Retirement
- It’s important to tackle saving and debt pay down simultaneously. But debt interest rate vs. expected future return is a key factor.
- Setting reasonable targets for your spending allows for spending freely within those boundaries.
- Waiting until things look better can be a big mistake when investing.
- If you’re stuck with a debt load with high interest rates, focus on paying that off.
- Monitoring finances can take as little or as much time as you want; just remember that you get out what you put in.
- We need more impulse saving.
Topic: How to Strategically Manage Debt
- What would you go back and tell yourself 10 years ago? Use that as motivation for where you will be 10 years from now.
- Best way to pay off and avoid debt is to plan your finances and set realistic goals
- 5 Steps to pay off credit card debt
- Pay off highest interest rates first
- Create a budget, and stick to it
- Find ways to save money on expenses
- Mint.com is a free budgeting tool
All images are courtesy of Experian News Blog
