JJ Burns & Company

If you're like us, you've been indulging in glorious re-watches of a long list of holiday movies. Some of them offer more than magic, meet-cutes, and cherished memories. There may be some (hard-earned) money lessons to learn, too! Like the ones from this treasure of absurdity: National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. (Source: The Ascent)

The holiday season is a time of year that reminds us of what matters most: family, friends and human connection. The challenges have been real, but there are some teachable moments to be found as well. In other words, it’s still possible to find good things and uncover hidden silver linings in whatever life throws our way. And, it’s an idea that’s echoed in the holiday classic, A Christmas Carol. Self-serving workaholic Ebenezer Scrooge values money and profits over the well-being of family and co-workers. This shortsighted view ultimately leads to him missing out on life’s greatest treasures—love, friendship, and true joy. This movie has a lot to teach us about personal growth and authentic living—two important factors that drive effective wealth management. Here are some key takeaways that apply directly to our financial lives: https://lnkd.in/gdF82Eyp — JJ Burns, CFP®

Spending quality, healthy time with family is an ideal holiday scenario; but for some, it may be fraught with stress. Setting boundaries is a necessary ingredient to keeping those relationships alive—while honoring your mental health.

While talking about estate planning isn't quite as exciting as opening presents, the holidays are one of the few times when family members are all together, and it often comes with plenty of downtime. Having these sensitive discussions in person is a good way to help your family feel more comfortable. Here are some tips for handling these conversations in a way that is productive—and won’t take away from all of the festivities. Of course, life isn’t static—and neither is your plan. At times you’ll need to reevaluate and make adjustments, especially during life transitions. At JJ Burns & Company, we can help create a long-term plan to keep you focused for when life throws its inevitable curveballs: https://lnkd.in/e9bVRvzJ (Source: Kiplinger)

By recognizing and prioritizing long-term financial goals, it’s possible to make smart, intentional decisions about your year-end bonus—whether that means spending, saving, investing, or a little of each. ❄️ Rather than seeing your bonus as "extra money," consider treating it like a form of planned income. For example, a $6,000 bonus can become an extra $500/month throughout a whole year. ❄️ Consider ways to leverage your bonus to free up monthly cash flow. Paying down high-interest debt, building up an emergency fund, or contributing to a retirement/college savings account are all smart ways to make your bonus work for you. ❄️ A year-end bonus can be an opportunity to invest in personal growth. Maybe you put it toward professional development, education, or even a vacation to recharge. Investing in yourself may have lasting benefits for both personal satisfaction + long-term financial well-being. ❄️ It may be wise to avoid prematurely committing bonus funds to big purchases or locking yourself into financial obligations. Waiting until the bonus is *in the bank* before making decisions can help reduce the risk of overspending. A year-end bonus is a gift that can help open doors to financial security, fulfillment, and growth. If you're seeking guidance on how best to invest it, our financial advisors are standing by to help you make a plan: https://lnkd.in/gY3J5ucA (Source: Kiplinger)

Investing in yourself is time and energy well-spent. Working towards financial freedom can boost your emotional and physical health, on top of helping you achieve long-term money goals—like buying property or living your retirement dreams. As we wind down on 2024, consider the following ways you can continue to invest in yourself + your financial future for 2025. A financial advisor can help you build a roadmap on your journey to financial freedom. If you've hit some roadblocks on the way to your goals this year, let's figure out a way through them, together: https://lnkd.in/gY3J5ucA (Source: Investopedia)

We had a blast doing a team paint n' sip at Pinot's Palette for our JJ Burns & Co. holiday party! These trees aren't bad! 🌲 JJ Burns Ricky Bathija, CFP® Steven Mula, CFA Jessica Evans Danielle Moss Anthony LaGiglia, CFP® Anamika Madan, CFP® Nejad Abo Hamzy, CFP® Jack Stankoven, CIMA® Amy Vasili Hanna Wohleking Adam Kohler, CFP®, BFA™ #holidayparty #paintandsip #happyholidays

When we think about investments, our minds tend to gravitate toward stocks, bonds, real estate and the like. There’s another asset that can be just as valuable—human capital. It’s spun out of the knowledge, experience and value other people bring to your life. Easy to overlook, it can be especially powerful for business owners. Since the "great resignation", employee retention has been top of mind for many businesses. If a valuable employee wants to walk away to pursue other things, the cost of recruiting, hiring, and training a replacement will usually cost more in terms of time and resources. Working with the employee to find a compromise might be the best solution. For example, is there a way to invite them to participate more actively in the company’s growth and mission? How can you tap into their values and connect them to their work? Can you revisit your expectations for them and possibly consider a more flexible work arrangement that would be more appealing? A skilled financial advisor can help walk you through creative solutions and potential strategies that may benefit all parties. They understand how all your investments work together, including human capital—which can be a real asset. — JJ Burns, CFP® https://bit.ly/3KqwHUx

Thinking about how to hit millionaire status? While investing comes with risk and cannot offer absolute guarantees of wealth, some time-tested principles may act as beacons to help you on the road to that million. 1. Don't wait to start investing. Wealth needs time to grow. The sooner you start, the longer compounding has time to work its magic. 2. Instead of mindlessly saving or investing, millionaires have specific short- and long-term goals. 3. Putting a lot of financial weight on any one asset can expose you to a lot of risk. Consider diversifying your portfolio with stocks, bonds, mutual funds, ETFs, and various other securities. 4. Stay consistent with your investment plan, even when the market (inevitably) fluctuates. 5. Millionaires don’t need to have flashy cars or mega homes. Millionaires can look just like you do, right now. Think about putting time and effort into building your wealth through investments, not "stuff." 6. Set up automatic contributions to investment accounts, if you're able to. 7. Run, don't walk, to get any employer match on a workplace retirement plan. 8. Millionaires call in the experts. Financial advisors, like those at JJ Burns & Company, can help you craft a long-term financial plan that considers all aspects of your financial life: https://lnkd.in/gkrrqjXK (Source: Bankrate)

Anamika Madan, CFP® is a Financial Planning Specialist who joined our team at JJ Burns & Company with over 18 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has held various roles, all of which shaped her passion for financial planning. She analyzes financial data and utilizes advanced projections to develop customized, comprehensive financial plans for clients. Discover her personal side: https://lnkd.in/gAZHz8ey