Wills and trusts are common documents used in estate planning. While each can help in the distribution of assets at death, there are important differences between the two.
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Investing
Investment planning is about discipline and patience, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. Consider these insights from our experts so you can make informed decisions.
Coping With Market Volatility: Be Sure to Use Appropriate Benchmarks
Do you find yourself glued to the daily news reports on market movements wondering about your own savings and investments? Before you make any hasty decisions, be sure you understand how these reports relate — or don’t relate — to your individual portfolio.
How Do Biases Affect Investment Decisions?
When it comes to your finances, “go with your gut” might not be the wisest adage to follow. In fact, it may work against you, particularly in periods of market turbulence. Before jumping to conclusions about your finances, consider what biases may be at work beneath your conscious radar.
Federal Student Loan Borrowers Get Expanded Relief in CARES Act
On March 27, 2020, Congress passed the CARES Act, the largest economic stimulus bill in the history of the United States, in response to the coronavirus pandemic.1 Included in the legislation are new rules for student loan relief that supersede the rules that were announced only a week earlier by the Department of Education. For more information on both sets of rules, visit the federal student aid website.
Coping with Market Volatility: Continuing to Invest May Help You Stay on Course
In the current market environment, the value of your holdings may be fluctuating widely — and it’s natural to feel tentative about further investment. But regularly adding to an account that’s designed for a long-term goal may cushion the emotional impact of market swings. If losses are offset even in part by new savings, the bottom-line number on your statement might not be quite so discouraging. And a basic principle of investing is that buying during a down market may help your portfolio grow when the market turns upward again.
Should I Invest My Extra Cash or Use it to Pay Off Debt?
To answer this question, you must decide how your money can work best for you. Compare the money you might earn on other investments with the money you would pay on your debt. If you would earn less on investments than you would pay on debts, you should pay off debt.
College Saving Options
For the 2019-2020 college year, the average annual cost of attendance (known as the COA) at a four-year public college for in-state students was $26,590, the average cost at a four-year college for out-of-state students was $42,970, and the average cost at a four-year private college was $53,980. The COA figure includes tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses. Many private colleges cost substantially more. (Source: The College Board’s 2019 Trends in College Pricing Report),
Is There Anything I Can Do Now So That My Child Can Obtain More Financial Aid Later?
Yes, there are steps you can take now that may help your child obtain more financial aid later. All federally funded financial aid programs use a formula known as the federal methodology to determine how much money a family must contribute towards a child’s educational costs before becoming eligible for financial aid. This figure is known as the expected family contribution (EFC). The difference between your EFC and the cost of your child’s college equals your child’s financial need and the less aid your child will be eligible for.
Kick Off The Year With This 7-Step Financial Action Plan
How do you see yourself in 2020? If your vision is of a more financially savvy you, then read on. This 7-step financial action plan will give you the tools to make this year — and decade — about your financial wellness. The best part? It’s easy!
How Long Should I Hang On To An Investment?
You’ll want to hang on to an investment as long as it meets your objectives. Is it likely to continue to perform as well as or better than comparable investments? Is it still appropriate for your age, risk tolerance and financial goals? Evaluating your investments once or twice a year will help you make that determination.
Recent News
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Fran Talmadge
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. We’re thrilled to introduce Fran Talmadge, from the OASIS Senior Center.
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Lisa Murray
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. We’re thrilled to introduce Lisa Murray, from CASA of Santa Barbara County.
Shred Days Promote Sustainability, Safeguard Against Identity Theft
Did you know that recycling one ton of paper saves 17 mature trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, and 4,000 kilowatts of electricity? Thanks to members at this year’s SESLOC’s Shred Days at our SLO, Atascadero and Santa Maria branches, we recycled 113 total bins with 17.79 tons of shredded paper— saving 302 trees, 124,530 gallons of water, 53.37 cubic yards of landfill space, and 71,160 kilowatts of electricity!
New Instant Funds Loan Empowers Individuals Facing Financial Emergencies
SESLOC Credit Union is thrilled to introduce the Instant Funds loans, a new short-term, small-dollar loans program designed to support individuals in need of emergency financial assistance. Keeping the credit union philosophy of “people helping people” in mind, we are introducing this product to ensure there is financial support for the underserved and underbanked in the Central Coast community.
SESLOC Cares for Community Award: Ray Segovia
We’re partnering with News Channel 12 to honor nonprofit volunteers who make our community thrive. Each month, we’re choosing a different nonprofit and asking them to select a valuable volunteer to receive the SESLOC Cares for Community Award. We’re thrilled to introduce Ray Segovia, from the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes Center.
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