Isabella Lopez, Financial Services Professional

09/04/2024

I recently joined New York Life and Miami Waterkeeper for a bay cleanup at Biscayne Bay. We had so much fun and it felt incredible to contribute to preserving our beautiful Florida waters.

Since childhood, I’ve cared deeply about the environment and animals. Knowing our efforts supports Biscaney Bay’s $63.9 billion local economy while protecting marine life is truly fulfilling.

Volunteering enriches our lives in many ways:

- Personal: Boosts your sense of purpose and well-being

- Professional: Builds skills and expands your network

- Community: Strengthens connections and drives positive change

Remember: “Great acts are made up of small deeds” -Lao Tzu

08/06/2024

The use of outdated vocational listings makes it difficult to qualify for disability benefits through the Social Security Administration. A recent Washington Post article reveals how the Social Security Administration uses a list of jobs that was last updated in 1977 to decide if a person is still able to work today. Read the full article here:

Despite spending at least $250 million to modernize its system, Social Security still relies on 45-year-old job titles to deny thousands of disability claims.

08/02/2024

What’s the true cost of pet ownership? Here’s how much you should expect to pay when adopting a new furry friend.

What's the true cost of pet ownership? Here's how much you should expect to pay when adopting a new furry friend.

07/31/2024

According to the latest Wealth Watch survey, Gen Xers reported the highest levels of anxiety and the lowest levels of hope regarding their finances when compared with other generations. Read the full report here and let’s come up with a strategy for you.

New York Life's latest Wealth Watch survey reveals Gen Xers are the most worried about their financial health.

07/30/2024

Watching your grandkids grow up is a grandparent's greatest joy, but being able to help them become who they want to be is one of the greatest gifts you can give. Learn how a 529 college savings plan and supplemental funding from a whole life insurance policy can help you give the next generation a gift they'll always cherish.

Give the gift of education by starting college funds for your grandchildren with help from New York Life. Secure their future with life insurance or a 529 plan.

07/25/2024

Check out Money magazine’s "How to Create a Life Insurance Retirement Plan" by Jeremi Davidson, explaining how a strategy of using the cash value of a permanent life insurance policy to supplement retirement income can enhance your retirement strategy, offering both the protection of life insurance along with the potential growth of retirement assets. https://nyl.co/3LFfMxu

07/24/2024

Your Wealth Starts in Your Mindset Before It Hits Your Bank Account

To achieve financial success, you often need to think and act differently. It might feel uncomfortable or challenging, but that’s part of the journey.

If you want to build wealth, you have to think and use money differently. Most of us never get real financial education. We're told to get a job, make some money, save a bit, and maybe invest in retirement.

Yet, most people entering retirement don’t have enough money to live financially free the way they want. To change this, you need to start acting and taking different steps.

Change the way you speak and think about money:

⤷ Instead of saying “I can’t afford that,” ask “How can I afford that?”

⤷ Instead of saying “Only rich people do that,” ask “How do rich people do that?”

⤷ Instead of saying “That’s too expensive,” ask “How can I make that possible?”

Knowing your "why" is crucial. Why do you want to be successful? Wanting to buy nice things won't keep you motivated when things get tough. Dig deeper to find a purpose that will keep you driven and focused long-term.

Building real wealth starts with changing your mindset about money. It’s not just about making money—it’s about developing a mindset that supports long-term success.

- Stop saying "I can't" and start asking "How can I?"
- Reallocate your TV or Netflix time to something more educational and productive: read books, take courses, work on a business idea, learn about investing, build your financial education.
- When things get tough, keep coming back to your why.

It takes time, but all success starts with your mindset 🚀

07/23/2024

Need help retaining key employees? If so, this article lists 6 steps you can take to combat the "Great Resignation" and outlines some of the tools that are available to help. Let me know if you have any questions.

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07/19/2024

Grandparents: Want to leave a legacy for the ones you love? Learn the differences between a will, trust, and estate, and together we can make sure the legacy you leave lives on for generations.

Learn the major differences between a will and a living trust, evaluate your options, and options and answer any questions you may have.

07/17/2024

The Importance of Buy-Sell Agreements
A buy-sell agreement is a powerful planning tool that can ensure a smooth transition of your business and help secure your family's finances after you're no longer around. A buy-sell also can outline the terms of succession among the remaining business partners, so that everything is settled in advance. Learn more in this article from Rimon, PC estate planning attorney Patricia Annino and then let’s make sure you are set up to protect both your business and your family’s future. https://bit.ly/4cEXfNI

07/16/2024

Want to learn why a long-term care solution should be a part of your financial strategy? Click here to read this article. https://bit.ly/4bLyMoN

07/15/2024

Good Thing, Bad Thing – Who Knows?

I lived in Oklahoma for five years during college.

I felt out of place, alone, and disconnected from my culture.

But I achieved so much during that time:

- Learned another language
- Earned a college degree
- Focused intensely on my work

In the end, there is no such thing as good or bad things, for we do not know what door that situation could open next.

Suffering begins at the instant you label an event as “bad.” Sometimes these two happen so fast that you never realize they are two independent events:

1. The event itself
2. Your decision that what happened is bad

Reflecting on my past, I see that many "bad" moments led to great outcomes.

Is there a particular event in your life right now that you are labeling bad?

Ask yourself:

↳ Could this turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to me?
↳ Is there anything I can do to make it the best thing that happened to me?

PS: Just thinking this way will take you to a different emotional domain, and the universe will open up possibilities you would never have thought of before...