http://cdemarco.ceterainvestors.com/

Crystal DeMarco: Cetera Investors Financial Advisor, 111 Grant Avenue Suite 208, Endicott, NY (2026)

08/22/2023

You might have been tricked once or twice if you’re like me.

In my role as a financial professional, I understand how vital it is to safeguard clients’ wealth and their personal and financial information.

Below are several tips that you might find helpful.

1️⃣ Unexpected requests for personal info? It’s a red flag! 🚩 Always verify requests using official contact info from the company’s website.

2️⃣ Emails with generic greetings such as “Dear valued member” could be a phishy trick. 🎣

3️⃣ Spot fake email addresses. 🧐 “[email protected]” is not the same as “[email protected].” Remember, the sender’s domain reveals who they truly are!

4️⃣ Watch out for suspicious links! Always hover over the link to see the real URL before clicking. Remember, secure links start with https://. 🌐

5️⃣ Beware of unsolicited attachments. A random email tracking a package you never ordered could be a trap. Be especially cautious with .exe, .scr, and .zip files. 📎

Always pause before you click! And online! 🖥️🔒

08/21/2023

Did you know that Colonel Sanders started KFC at 65? 🍗

Or that seniors hold the most voting power?

Today is National Senior Citizens Day 🎉, and we honor seniors’ lifelong contributions and celebrate the joy, wisdom, and potential that come with aging.

Check out these five fun facts about aging:

1️⃣ We control over 70% of our aging process.
2️⃣ Stress levels drop after 65.
3️⃣ We go from 300 bones when we’re born to 206 bones as an adult.
4️⃣ Creativity doesn't diminish with age. Laura Ingalls Wilder published her first book at 65.
5️⃣ Learning new things can help fight off cognitive decline.

Just as learning can help grow new neurons and fight off cognitive decline, financial literacy and preparation can help ensure a successful retirement.

As a financial professional, one of my greatest joys is helping clients prepare for and live the retirement of their dreams.

So, let’s celebrate by acknowledging the value and potential in every stage of life and ensuring our loved ones are ready for a retirement focused on living, not just surviving. Here’s to aging awesomely! 💛

Which fact surprised you the most about retirement? Or share what you’re looking forward to most when you retire. Drop a comment below!

08/18/2023

Despite all the negative news we are often surrounded with, there are some amazing stories of people helping people that should get more attention and inspire us.

Here’s one that touched my heart ❤️, and I thought I’d share.

Students at Callisburg High School in Texas noticed their new janitor, Mr. James, an 80-year-old retiree had to come out of retirement because his rent had increased by $400.

Seeing this, the students started a GoFundMe campaign with a $10,000 goal.

What happened next was mind-blowing 🤯. Their initiative exploded and raised a whopping $250K! A single TikTok video by senior Greyson Thurman was enough to amplify their message and galvanize support.

This story celebrates the students’ empathy and action, as well as the incredible power of community and our capacity to change lives through collective action.

I’m inspired by these young change-makers 👏 and reminded that no matter how small our actions may seem, they can create a ripple effect of kindness.

08/16/2023

"When was the last time you did something for the first time?"

I recently came across this quote by John C. Maxwell, and it resonated with me.

As a financial professional, this mindset is crucial.

It’s about constantly learning, adapting to the changing financial landscape, and finding innovative ways to serve my clients.

It’s not just about doing things differently, but about studying new topics, applying new tools, and considering new perspectives. This quote reminds me to embrace change, challenge the status quo, and never stop learning.

Whether in our personal lives or professional careers, embracing "first times" can lead to growth and new insights. It's the unexpected turns that make our journey rich and fulfilling.

I thought this was a shareworthy piece of wisdom. Maybe it’ll inspire you to chase a “first” this week. Cheers to new adventures, big or small.

08/09/2023

It’s National Book Lovers Day! 📚

I love to read. Reading keeps me on top of the latest trends in my work and serves as a source of inspiration, personal development, and entertainment.

Out of curiosity, I did a little research, and according to Test Prep Insight’s National U.S. Book Reading Statistics 2022 Survey:

➡️ Almost half of the respondents had not read any books in over a year: 49%
➡️ Print books were the most read books: 35%
➡️ The 65+ age group recorded the highest population of print book readers: 45%
➡️ The 45–54 age group contains the highest population of non-readers: 61%
➡️ Males recorded a slightly higher population of non-readers compared to females: 51%

I hope others are like me and appreciate the joy of a good book!

My team and I take as much pleasure in crafting the financial narratives of our clients. Here are some of the parallels:

📘 Each Chapter Matters: Every financial decision adds to your unique story. The goal? A compelling narrative of stability and success.
📙 Plot Twists: The market will have twists and turns. But, like any good book, it builds toward a satisfying end.
📗 Personal Journey: Financial strategy isn’t spreadsheets; it’s deeply personal. Like a favorite book, it’s about your dreams, values, and legacy.

Today, I’m reflecting on my love of books and the trust our clients place in us to guide their financial stories 🙏

08/07/2023

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 How much allowance should you give your child in college? Should you provide them with a credit card? How do you make sure they learn how to budget?

I often get asked these questions by parents and grandparents with children in college. Here’s a list of steps you can take for your student.

1️⃣ If you haven’t already done so, you might want to set up a separate bank account for them and link it to your own. You can show them how to use the app to monitor balances and transfer between savings and checking.

2️⃣ Consider providing them with a debit card and a credit card in their name, thereby giving them the responsibility of managing expenses while also building a credit history.

3️⃣ Show them how to monitor their balances and transfer money from checking to pay off their credit card.

4️⃣ Consider making them an authorized user on one of your credit cards (for emergencies only!).

5️⃣ Help them set up their own mobile payment accounts, such as Venmo.

6️⃣ Encourage them to update their passwords on their most-used accounts.

7️⃣ If you are preparing to help with costs, consider scheduling an automatic allowance deposit every other week to mimic the typical bi-weekly payroll process

Remember, preparing your children for financial independence is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. 🎁

Share this post if you found these ideas useful! 💡

08/03/2023

📚📝 Hello Families! It’s that time of year again, the season.

Transitioning from a relaxed summer schedule to a more structured routine can feel like a whirlwind. As we navigate the excitement and long list of to-dos, one reality for many is the mounting costs of school supplies. As a financial professional, I wanted to share a few tips so you don't break the bank.

🔄 Tip #1: Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose—Before you rush to the store or start clicking away online, take a moment to see what you already have at home. That binder from last year could still have a whole semester's worth of life in it.

💰 Tip #2: Set a Budget—Decide on a realistic budget for back-to-school shopping. Involve your children in the budgeting process. It's a great way to teach them financial responsibility and the value of money.

📆 Tip #3: Start Early—Starting your shopping early will help you spread the cost over a few months, easing the burden of an oversized August credit card bill.

🛍️ Tip #4: Thrift and Vintage Shops Are Now Cool—and a fantastic resource for items like backpacks, clothing, and sometimes even unopened school supplies. They're also a great way to promote sustainability, teach your children about recycling, and save money.

Remember, creating a financial strategy isn't just for retirement or buying a home. It's about managing your resources in a way that makes the most sense for your family, even when it comes to something as seemingly simple as back-to-school shopping.

Do you have any good ideas to make the back-to-school process easier? Share below!

08/01/2023

If you have a child or grandchild heading off to college 🎓📚 soon, or know someone who does, this post is for you!

With college costs reaching unimaginable levels, it's essential to know about changes happening with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Here are some highlights:

1️⃣ The new FAFSA form will have 46 questions, significantly reduced from the previous 108 questions.
2️⃣ The Expected Family Contribution will now be known as the Student Aid Index.
3️⃣ Families with more than one child in college will no longer receive a discounted Student Aid Index.
4️⃣ For divorced parents, the parent who has spent the most money on the child will complete the FAFSA.
5️⃣ Contributions from qualified college savings plans made by grandparents and others will no longer be taxed as the child’s untaxed income.

Remember, even though college costs have doubled in the past 30 years, financial aid discounts and merit scholarships have also increased. So, there is hope!

And as always, we're here to help you navigate these changes and explore the best choices for your family.

07/31/2023

As a financial professional, I am always looking for ways to help my clients make the most of their time and money.

I've heard a lot about book 📚 summary apps from friends and clients lately, and I wanted to share a few with my network.

Whether you're looking to improve your financial knowledge or simply want to read more efficiently, book summary apps can help. With so many great books out there, it's hard to find the time to read them all. That's where these apps come in handy.

Here are five of the better-known book summary apps:

➡️ Blinkist: Summarizes nonfiction books into bite-sized snippets, making it perfect for busy people who want to learn something new but have limited time.

➡️ ShortForm: Provides audio and video summaries and quizzes to test your knowledge.

➡️ getAbstract: Offers over 20,000 summaries across various topics, making it an excellent choice for those who want a wide selection of summaries.

➡️ Instaread: Provides audio and text summaries for fiction and nonfiction books, making it a versatile app for all readers.

➡️ Mentorist: Provides book summaries from top business leaders and thinkers, perfect for those who want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and ideas.

These apps are easy to use and can be accessed from your phone, tablet, or computer. So, whether you're at home or on the go, you can read more efficiently and stay up-to-date with the latest ideas and trends in finance and beyond.

I hope you find these book summary apps as helpful as I have. Happy reading!

07/27/2023

As we all enjoy the warmth and vitality of July, this quote reminds me to think about how we can maintain that positive and growth-oriented mindset even during our professional "winters"—those times when we face challenges, uncertainty, or stagnation.

I take it as a reminder to reflect on my goals and aspirations and consider how I can nurture my "summer" mindset in the coming months.

Perhaps it's an opportunity for us all to use this season to foster meaningful connections, inspire growth in ourselves and others, and carry the essence of summer with us throughout the year.

I'd love to hear some ideas about how you try to capture the joyfulness of summer and keep that summer spirit alive throughout the year!

Maybe frame a picture of a special summer memory and put it on your desk, or maybe list those times you felt relaxed and stress free.

Feel free to share your thoughts and ideas below! ☀️

07/24/2023

Over the last several months, I have met with quite a few self-proclaimed do-it-yourself (DIY) investors who, after struggling with the markets in 2022, have asked me for a second opinion.

Interestingly, almost every self-directed investor I've met has encountered several of the following six challenges. Recognizing these struggles may lead to smarter investment decisions.💡

1️⃣ Diversification Dilemma: A well-diversified portfolio can be a cornerstone of a successful investment strategy. Unfortunately, many DIY investors find striking the proper balance challenging. To manage this mistake, take the time to understand what types of investments you own and how they are positioned. And remember, diversification and asset allocation are approaches to help manage investment risk. They are not guarantees against investment loss.

2️⃣ Emotional Roller Coaster: Emotions can be a DIY investor's worst enemy. To keep your emotions in check, establish a clear investment strategy and stick to it. Focus on your goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance rather than short-term market fluctuations.

3️⃣ Overconfidence Trap: To avoid this trap, approach investing with humility and recognize that the financial markets are full of surprises. Conduct thorough research, assess potential risks, and make informed decisions based on data rather than intuition.

4️⃣ Fees & Taxes Oversight: Make sure to consult a financial professional if you have questions about fees and taxes. Your financial professional may need to consult with a tax professional before modifying your investment strategy for tax reasons.

5️⃣ Inconsistent Portfolio Reviews: To avoid this mistake, set a specific time for a portfolio review. Ask yourself questions like, "What role is this investment playing in my portfolio?" and "Have any investments reached my target price?" or "Have any investments slipped below an established floor in the price?"

6️⃣ Hesitating to Seek Advice: A licensed financial professional may have access to resources that can offer some key insights, and they are trained to consider a wide range of factors before determining if an investment fits your goals.

Remember, knowledge is power! 💪

07/19/2023

Have you ever worried about what would happen if you didn’t use all the money in your 529 college savings account?

SECURE 2.0 has made a change you should know about.

Starting in 2024, beneficiaries of 529 accounts can transfer up to $35,000 to a Roth IRA during their lifetime under certain conditions. Note: everything will operate as is for 2023.

⚠️ However, as always, there are some details you should be aware of:

➡️ The 529 plan must have been open for a minimum of 15 years.
➡️ If the beneficiary changes to another student, the 15-year clock may restart.
➡️ The owner of the Roth IRA must be the beneficiary of the 529 plan (i.e., the student).
➡️ Any money moved from a 529 plan into a Roth IRA account will be subject to the Roth IRA annual contribution limits. The Roth IRA contribution limit in 2024 is scheduled to be $6,500, with an extra $1,000 permitted for individuals over the age of 50.
➡️ The lifetime limit for a Roth IRA rollover is $35,000.

College costs are astronomical, and student loans and financial aid can be overwhelming. That is why we are passionate about helping families prepare for college. Since some additional criteria are applicable to the updated rules, it is recommended to speak with a financial or tax professional who has a detailed understanding of the state plan you are considering.

For most people, this is one of their most important objectives. As such, it deserves more attention.

Crystal DeMarco: Cetera Investors Financial Advisor

08/22/2023

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