Published in the October 11 – October 24, 2017 Issue of Morgan Hill Life

Are you a “do-it-yourselfer”? If you can take care of home repairs, lawn work and other types of maintenance, you’ll save money and probably gain satisfaction. But you will certainly need some help in other areas of your life in Morgan Hill — one of which may be investing. You could benefit from the services of a financial advisor at several points in your life:

  • When you’re starting out in your career. When you land your first “career-type” job, you will have some financial decisions to make: Should I participate in my employer’s 401(k) or other retirement plan? (Hint: Yes!) If so, how much should I contribute? How can I juggle saving for retirement with paying off student loans? These are the types of questions you can answer with the help of a financial advisor.
  • When you’re saving for important goals. Whether you’re saving for a down payment on your first home, or for your children’s college education, or for your own retirement, you’ll face many choices. A financial advisor — someone with experience in helping people work toward these goals — can assist you in making the choices most appropriate for your individual situation.
  • When you’re experiencing a personal “milestone.” Like everyone, you’ll go through many major life events. Some will be joyful while others may be unpleasant or sad. But virtually all these events carry with them some type of financial component — establishing new investment accounts, purchasing sufficient insurance, naming and changing of beneficiaries, and so on. A financial advisor who truly understands you and your needs can help you make appropriate moves.
  • When you’re close to retirement. As you near retirement, you’ll have several issues to consider: How much income will you need each year? When should you start taking Social Security? How much can you afford to withdraw annually from your IRA and 401(k)? A financial advisor has the tools, training and experience to explore alternatives and suggest suitable moves.
  • When you’re retired. Even after you retire, you’ve got plenty to think about. For one, you need to ensure your investment portfolio provides you with sufficient income for your lifestyle and adequate growth potential to help stay ahead of inflation. Once you’re retired, you just won’t get a lot of “do-overs,” so getting the right help is important.

If you’re a do-it-yourselfer, you may not get it right every time. But you won’t pay much of a price. However, you also know when it’s time to call a professional. Get the assistance you need, when you need it.

 Marisa Otto, CFP, Financial Advisor, Edward Jones U.S.A., can be reached at (408) 778-4400, or at [email protected] or visit www.edwardjones.com. This column was written by Edward Jones for use by Marisa Otto.