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.

5 Ways HSAs Can Bolster Your Retirement Plan

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on March 24, 2021.

Health Savings Accounts Offer Several Benefits to Your Retirement Strategy

If you’re maxing out your 401(k) and IRA contributions, you’re likely on the road to a comfortable retirement. If you’re saving in taxable accounts, too, you’re even further ahead of the game. However, you may be missing out on an incredibly tax-efficient savings vehicle. If you truly want to bolster your retirement plan, it’s time to look into a health savings account (HSA).

Health savings accounts are the only option for triple-tax savings, meaning you can contribute pre-tax dollars, pay no taxes on earnings, and withdraw money tax-free now or in retirement as long as it’s used for qualified medical expenses. Simply put, HSAs go to work for you in three ways and provide the ultimate tax-efficiency. Read on for five ways you can fortify your retirement plan by using an HSA.

Understanding the Pros and Cons of High-Risk Investments

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on March 10, 2021.

A Look at Seven High-Risk Investment Options for the Investor with High-Risk Tolerance

There is no one right way to invest. Smart investing takes into consideration the individual and their personal preferences, and these preferences include things like risk tolerance and overall comfort as an investor. This is because there is a broad spectrum of investment options available, and some are inherently riskier than others. As the level of risk increases, so too do the possible gains – and the potential losses. While some level of risk is a natural part of investing, high-risk investments aren’t a good fit for most people. Still, if you have tolerance for it, you may be able to reap great rewards by adding them to your investment portfolio.

Below we’ll discuss the pros and cons of seven of the most popular high-risk investments.

Tax-advantaged Savings Accounts for High-Income Earners

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on February 10, 2021.

Saving for retirement requires planning and, to some extent, strategizing on a multitude of levels, this is especially so if you’re a high-income earner. If you’re a high-income earner, in particular, one of the most important strategies you’ll need to implement is a tax strategy that maximizes the benefits provided by different types of retirement savings accounts.

These accounts encourage individuals and households to save toward their retirement goals. For more affluent households, however, there are more options available regarding which accounts to allocate savings to. So, the question becomes, how can you maximize the tax benefits of various retirement savings accounts when your high-income status allows you the ability to contribute to several different accounts simultaneously? We’ll discuss your options below.

Why Bankruptcy Can Sometimes Be the Right Option for Your Business

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on January 27, 2021.

If you can get past the stigma, bankruptcy can be a vital lifeline.

Running a business is always a challenge, and it’s been made more so in recent months as stimulus aid for COVID-19 begins to run out for many struggling small business owners. If you find yourself in this boat and you are unsure of your options for survival, know that there is a way forward. If you’re unsure how to stay afloat and avoid closing your doors for good, bankruptcy may be the right option for you.

Bankruptcy may seem like a frightening concept, but it can offer a struggling small business the opportunity to reorganize, oftentimes without the need to lay off employees or even close temporarily. In this way, it can preserve your relationships with vendors and customers, too. Of course, there’s a certain stigma around bankruptcy, which makes many business owners reticent to choose this option, but it could be key to your business’ survival during this pandemic.

How to Maximize Your Earnings Through Smart Career Moves at Any Age

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on January 13, 2021.

Steps to Bring You Closer to Financial Security in Any Phase of Life

Achieving financial security demands the cultivation of good money habits. These include saving regularly, sticking to a budget, and investing wisely. However, wealth management isn’t the only way to go about establishing a firm financial footing. It’s also critically important that you manage your career smartly. The choices you make at work can have a lasting and significant impact on your future financial comfort.

Here are some steps you can take to maximize your earnings at work no matter where you are in your career.

401(k) 101: Six Things You Need to Know Before You’re 50

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on December 31, 2020.

Considerations for Your 401(K) as You Approach Retirement Age

Contributing to your 401(k) is a habit you’ll want to start as soon as you enter the workforce. Likely, it will become a yearly or monthly contribution you don’t actively think about for the most part. However, as retirement approaches, it becomes even more imperative for you to understand your 401(k) and the best ways to access it. Here are six things to know about your 401(k) as you approach age 50.

Financial Tips for the ‘Sandwich Generation’

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on November 20, 2020.

financial tips for multigenerational families

Financial Tips for Those Who Juggle Caring for Aging Parents While Raising Kids.

Are you in the position of feeling you need to juggle your own financial needs with both your children and your aging parents (or another relative)? If so, you are a part of the “sandwich generation”. You are not alone; twelve percent of all parents fall into this category.

It can be a taxing and stressful situation to be in, not just financially but also emotionally. Your kids may need help with college and large expenses like a car or home, and your parents may be depending on you for extra security as they move further into retirement, and possible medical issues arise. With these added economic expectations, how are you to save for your financial health and retirement?

These tips are different strategies designed to help you, the sandwich generation, navigate the difficulties of caring for your children and aging parents. The most important thing is to have a plan, and if you do not have one, this will get you started on the right foot.

Business Loans: What You Need to Know to Get the Right One

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on November 4, 2020.

How to make sure you’re getting the best loan for your business.

If you’re an entrepreneur looking for a business loan to start or grow your business, you have your work cut out for you. While personal loans may be readily available and easily obtained, the same is not always true with business loans. There is a lot more that lenders have to take into consideration when assessing whether they think they’ll be repaid or not. They’re going to look to see if you or your business has a solid credit history, whether the bank can manage the risk, if you as a business owner are qualified and responsible to be running your business, and, ultimately, whether or not the loan makes good business sense.

Before you get started applying for a business loan, here are some things you should know.

Stay at Home Spouse: Considerations for a One Income Household

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on October 12, 2020.

There are Many Benefits to One Spouse Staying Home, but Don’t Neglect These Crucial Points

In the United States today, about 20 percent of households include one stay-at-home spouse. There are certainly many benefits to a one-income household on the childcare and housekeeping fronts, but there are important financial considerations for stay-at-home spouses that don’t often get the attention they deserve.

Here are four things to keep in mind if you have a stay-at-home spouse in your household, or you’d like to in the future.

The Cost of College: 5 – 10 – 15 Years from Now

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on September 7, 2020.

As Educational Costs Continue to Rise, Parents and Students Must Be Prepared

Saving for college can seem like an uphill battle, especially given that costs have risen an average of 5 percent annually for the last decade. Accumulated College Board data for the 2019-2020 academic year showed an average cost of $21,950 as an in-state student at a state school, and a whopping $49,870 for a private school. Doing the math easily reveals that four years at any school will cost a pretty penny, especially if your children aren’t close to college age just yet.

Assuming cost trends continue, parents and prospective students will face steep tuition bills in the future.