Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Ever get a nagging feeling you’re not doing enough to secure your financial future? These anxieties are common, especially in today’s uncertain economic climate.
Most people focus on creating wealth, but it’s just as important to safeguard everything you’ve worked so hard to build. Leaving your finances to chance or relying solely on accumulating assets might expose you to unforeseen risks. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do ensure your wealth stays safe over the long term.
In this article, we’ll share five strategies to preserve your wealth.
A well-defined financial plan is the cornerstone of wealth preservation, guiding you towards your financial goals. Keeping a comprehensive budget is crucial, so track your income and expenses meticulously. This will also help you uncover unnecessary spending and find areas for potential savings. But a making a good budget goes beyond just cost-cutting. It helps you understand your spending patterns, revealing where your priorities truly lie. Having a clearer understanding allows you to align your spending more congruently with your goals.
Your wealth is vulnerable to market fluctuations if your portfolio is concentrated on just one asset class. Diversification across different markets is the key to mitigating this risk, allowing your portfolio to better weather the storm. This means allocating your investments across different asset classes like stocks, bonds, real estate, and even alternative investments.
Each asset class has its own risk-return profile. For example, stocks offer the potential for high returns but come with higher volatility, while bonds offer lower risk and steadier returns. A financial advisor can help you craft a diversified portfolio tailored to your individual risk tolerance and long-term goals.
Wealth preservation isn’t just about safeguarding your finances during your lifetime. It’s also about ensuring a smooth transfer of your assets to your loved ones. Estate planning allows you to determine how your assets will be distributed after your passing. It typically involves you creating a will, appointing beneficiaries, and potentially setting up trusts.
Expert financial advice can help you minimise inheritance tax liabilities and ensure your wishes are carried out efficiently. This will give you peace of mind, secure in the knowledge that your loved ones will be financially secure after you’re gone.
Unexpected life events like a job loss or a medical emergency can wreak havoc on your finances. That’s why it’s important to keep a robust emergency fund that covers at least 3-6 months of your living expenses. This will act as a financial buffer, protecting your wealth from unforeseen circumstances. By having a readily available safety net, you avoid dipping into your long-term investments to cover emergencies, keeping you on track to reach your financial goals.
Taxes are an inevitable part of life. But with savvy planning, you can reduce their impact on your wealth. Consider utilising tax-advantaged accounts like ISAs and pensions, which allows your money to grow faster. Additionally, explore tax-deductible expenses and strategic investment choices that can further reduce your tax burden. A qualified tax advisor can help you navigate the intricacies of tax laws and minimise the impact on your wealth.
Securing your wealth for the future
We often hear about aggressive wealth-building strategies, but wealth preservation offers a different kind of satisfaction – security. By implementing the strategies outlined in this article, you can protect your hard-earned money and live life to the fullest, knowing your financial future is secure.
The good news is that you don’t need to be a high-net-worth individual to benefit from wealth preservation strategies. Regardless of your income level, you can start building a secure financial future today. By adopting these practices early and letting them compound over time, you’ll be well on your way to preserving your wealth for the long haul.
Disclaimer: MoneyMagpie is not a licensed financial advisor and therefore information found here including opinions, commentary, suggestions or strategies are for informational, entertainment or educational purposes only. This should not be considered as financial advice. Anyone thinking of investing should conduct their own due diligence.