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Author: Zachary Morris, CFP®

Having traveled to over 35 countries, Zach is a believer in Ralph Waldo Emerson’s statement that Life is about the journey, not the destination. Being a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ provides Zach the opportunity to help clients define and realize their journey, and co-founding Paces Ferry Wealth Advisors, an independent firm, allows the freedom to define the client experience along the way.

Don’t Make These Mistakes When Hiring a Financial Advisor

When it Comes to Your Hard-Earned Money, It’s Crucial to Find the Right Advisor for You

Hiring a financial advisor can be the best way to develop a strong financial plan and achieve your long-term financial and life goals. Too often, however, people hesitate to seek out the assistance of a professional when it comes to helping them manage their finances – even if they’re struggling. In fact, research on the subject shows that even though 71% of adults need improvement with their financial planning, only 29% take the step of hiring a financial advisor. Some are too nervous to put their money in someone else’s hands or simply don’t feel that an advisor would be beneficial, yet research suggests those who work with a financial advisor have significantly more money for retirement than those who don’t.

So, how do you take this critical step and choose the advisor who is right for you? With something as important as your hard-earned money, you’ve got to find someone you can fully trust. As you consider hiring a financial advisor, keep these common mistakes in mind to avoid them as you begin your process.

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10 Tips for a Happy Retirement

You Worked Hard to Get Here and Now it’s Time to Enjoy the Fruits of Your Labor

We spend most of our working lives striving toward the ultimate goal of enjoying a happy retirement. But what exactly does that look like? And how do you achieve it? The answers to those questions depend a lot on YOU. Every retiree is going to have their own definition of what a fulfilling retirement looks like. For some, a happy retirement might look like getting to spend more time on hobbies, while for others it might look like finally getting to travel to all those destinations they’ve dreamed about. It might even be simply about spending more time with your kids and grandkids. Whatever a happy retirement looks like to you, you’ll have to be intentional to achieve it.

Below are 10 habits that can help you find happiness and fulfillment throughout your retirement.

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Zachary Morris CFP® Guest Speaker at Kiwanis Club of Northside Atlanta

Zachary Morris CFP® was the guest speaker at the weekly Kiwanis Club of Northside Atlanta meeting on Thursday - July 14, 2022 - from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM. The speaking engagement, sponsored by Fahed, was held at the 2nd Ponce de Leon Baptist Church - 2715 Peachtree Road NE, Atlanta, GA 30305. The Kiwanis Club of Northside Atlanta is one of the oldest and most respected Kiwanis Clubs in Georgia and they remain committed to the Kiwanis mission of changing the world, one child and one community at a time.

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CPE Lunch & Learn

We were honored to host the CPE Lunch & Learn at the Atlanta office of Hancock Askew & Co., LLP alongside our friends & partners at Clarity Capital Advisors, LLC. The Lunch & Learn included a fantastic discussion regarding the important role CPAs and accountants play in helping their clients sell their businesses. Special thanks to Steve Keaveney, John Stanier, Mary Roberts, and the entire Clarity Capital team.

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Does More Money Equal More Happiness?

It’s Not About the Material Goods, but Rather Financial Stability

Does more money equal more happiness? Well, you’ve probably heard the age-old adage, “Money can’t buy happiness,” but how true is that statement, really? When we think about it, we tend to focus on the luxuries that money can buy, like lavish vacations or expensive cars. However, an influx of cash provides something else that’s often overlooked – financial stability. When it comes to day-to-day happiness and peace of mind, financial stability goes a long way in decreasing our overall stress and freeing us from common worries.

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Estate Planning Tips for Small Business Owners

What You Need to Know to Protect Your Greatest Asset

Estate planning for small business owners isn’t always at the top of the to-do list, but it’s one of the most important steps you should take to set up a legacy of success. It may feel overwhelming to think about what happens when you pass on, but it’s critical to have conversations now to ensure all your hard work doesn’t go to waste.

If you don’t have an estate plan, then your local state law will likely dictate where your business goes after you die. There are many things you can do now to prepare, from focusing on tax efficiencies to drafting up a solid will and estate plan, that will help you secure the proper transition of your company.

Read on for six smart estate planning tips for small business owners.

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Tax-Smart Strategies to Help Your Kids Pay for College

In the Face of Skyrocketing Education Costs, it Pays to Prepare

Even if they’re still quite young, it’s never too soon to begin planning strategies to help your kids pay for college in the future. Higher education is already expensive, and because college costs increase at about two times the rate of inflation each year, it will only get pricier as the years go by. Currently, it’s estimated that today’s toddlers – who will start college around 2038 – can expect to spend around $35,592.339 each year on tuition, fees, room, and board for an in-state public school. For kids who want to go to a private school, they can expect to spend around $81,470.95 yearly for the same.

Luckily, there are many financial aid opportunities, scholarships, and grants that can help your child cover college costs. In addition to these, there are also some key financial planning strategies that can make college costs a bit more manageable.

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5 Small Business Tax Credits to Know

Are You Using All the Tools Available to You?

If you’re a small business owner, you should be using every tool in your arsenal to grow and protect your business. This includes taking advantage of the many federal tax credits available. Since this can be a confusing topic, I’m going to share a primer on how tax credits work, which ones you should be aware of, and the forms you need to file in order to capitalize on them.

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8 Benefits of Your Health Savings Account

When Used Correctly, HSAs Can Be a Great Financial Planning Tool

It’s no secret that healthcare costs are on the rise and there are no signs of prices falling anytime soon. In the face of skyrocketing costs, many people are turning to their Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) to help pay for current and future healthcare costs. Often, these accounts are offered through an employer, but they can also be opened individually. To qualify, you must be covered under a high-deductible insurance plan, and if you are, you can take advantage of an impressive array of benefits.

If you have an HSA but you aren’t sure you’re optimizing it, read on for eight important benefits.

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Retirement Savings vs. Your Kids’ Education Fund: Which Comes First?

Putting Your Retirement Savings First Isn’t Selfish – It’s Smart

Saving for the future can seem like a herculean task, especially for young families who are still settling into careers and are burdened with an abundance of competing financial demands. It can be difficult to see the big picture, let alone plan for it, when you’re raising children, paying off a mortgage, staying on top of household bills, and the countless other expenses that come with living life. So, if you’re having an internal debate about retirement savings versus college savings, you’re not alone.

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