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.

Have You Written Your ‘Legacy Letter’ Yet?

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on November 1, 2019.

When you think about leaving a legacy for future generations, does your mind automatically associate this idea with financial assets? It’s normal to want to put an estate plan in place that will benefit your heirs, but you may want to think outside the box, too.

Why? Well, there are some things that money just can’t buy.

In truth, your legacy is about much more than just your hard-earned assets. You have a wealth of life experience and wisdom to share, too. A great vehicle for preserving this intangible type of asset is a Legacy Letter.

Was It Worth It? Advisors Reflect on Joys and Pains of Moving

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on October 14, 2019.

by: John Kimelman

Reading the trade press and the almost daily deluge of advisors jumping from firm to firm, you might think switching firms is a quick and easy task.

But regardless of whether you’re going independent, joining another wirehouse or shifting to a regional firm, moving presents enormous risks to advisors who want to preserve their book of business and transition assets while also avoiding legal trouble from their former firm or ending up at the wrong place.

Three advisors who moved since last summer and agreed to speak to AdvisorHub about their move generally report that the process has gone smoothly thanks to careful planning, patience in dealing with unexpected surprises and a loyal client base who was willing to follow.

Are You Getting the Most Out of Your 401(k)?

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on October 2, 2019.

If your employer offers a 401(k) plan, you likely know two things about it: 1) you can automate investment of a portion of each paycheck to make saving easy, and 2) whether or not your employer offers matching contributions (i.e. free money).

Outside of this basic information, 401(k) plans can be a bit confusing for the average investor. The financial jargon alone can be enough to deter you from investigating the best way to protect and grow your money over the long-term. This is one of the main reasons so many people leave their retirement accounts on auto pilot, failing to learn ways to enhance their earnings. If you’d like to avoid this fate, information is key.

How to Help Recession-Proof Your Life: 5 Tips

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on August 23, 2019.

It’s hard to watch the news and not feel a little concerned about your finances. Trade wars, stock plunges, interest rates fluctuating, combine that with stagnant wages and an inflating cost of living–it’s enough to get even the most stalwart savers wringing their hands. In fact, 25% of Americans report worrying about money all the time.[i] So, what can you do? In this article, we will outline 5 tips to help recession-proof your lifestyle so that, while the economy and markets may have ups and downs, you can feel secure.

Opportunity Zone Investments

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on August 2, 2019.

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) was the most sweeping tax legislation since the 1986 Tax Reform Act was signed into law. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made small changes to personal income taxes and significantly reduces income tax for corporations. It also increased alternative minimum tax (AMT) and estate tax exemptions. New tax deductions for owners of pass-through entities and changes to the taxation of foreign income were also part of TCJA. For investors, Opportunity Funds promote investing in low-income designated areas, called Opportunity Zones, by offering federal tax advantages.

The Making of a Successful Retirement Starts with Maximizing Your Contributions

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on July 26, 2019.

If you have been contributing consistently to your retirement plan, then you are already on your path to a secure retirement. But are you doing everything you can to build your retirement nest egg? Capitalizing on your company retirement benefits package now can help to make your retirement that much more care-free. Here are five tips to help you build your financial future.

How Can Your Child Benefit from a Roth IRA?

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on June 25, 2019.

When you think of a Roth IRA, you aren’t usually picturing a child as the owner. But, when you dig deeper, a Roth really is an ideal savings vehicle because they have more than a half-century to watch their contributions grow tax-free. Plus, there is a great deal of flexibility allowing you to withdraw your contributions at any time without tax or penalties (*subject to certain withdrawal guidelines noted below).

Impact Investing: Pros and Cons

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on May 1, 2019.

“SOCIETY IS DEMANDING THAT COMPANIES, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE, SERVE A SOCIAL PURPOSE. TO PROSPER OVER TIME, EVERY COMPANY MUST NOT ONLY DELIVER FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE BUT ALSO SHOW HOW IT MAKES A POSITIVE CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY.”- LARRY FINK, CEO OF BLACKROCK.

Recently, as Impact Investing has gained more attention in the investment world, we have received a number of questions from clients and prospective clients about what it is, whether it is a viable strategy, how it can be implemented into an existing investment strategy and whether we currently offer impact investing strategies to our clients. Given the frequency of these questions, we wanted to share this article to shed some light on the subject.

It should be made clear that we do not currently have a specific strategy dedicated to impact investing and it is not commonly a mitigating factor in the manner in which we make our investment decisions as a fiduciary to our clients. If in the future, there comes a demand for such a strategy, then we will consider incorporating impact investing and the values behind it into our portfolios.

Five Years Until Retirement: Countdown and Checklist

Written by Zachary Morris, CFP® on April 17, 2019.

Like the horizon line, retirement was always in view but seemingly far away. Now, that endpoint may be looking a lot closer and more real. Retirement is moving from a someday category to an in less than a decade category and you may find yourself panicking. For years you dutifully looked over your employer match paperwork, checked your savings balances, and maybe even had a financial advisor to help you out. But now the finish line is in sight and you may worry that you are not where you need to be. In this article, we will go over some checklist items to look over to get you on track and restore that peace of mind.