Struggling to Save? You Might Not Be Alone

Struggling to Save? You Might Not Be Alone Hilltop Wealth Solutions

The current rate of monthly savings across America is currently at 4.6%. This means that most Americans are saving about 4.6% of their monthly income. This number is unusual as the average amount is almost double that number at 8%. Also, in June, this number dipped to a 15-year low of 2.7%.[1] Economists are noting these numbers because it means that Americans are likely having difficulty saving in the current economic conditions.[2]

While most people saved more money than they would have normally during the pandemic, there are some concerns that the extra money people had saved will now disappear.[3] If a lot of your money is in cash, inflation can still find a way into your wallet. Remember, because the prices of things are increasing faster than normal, your money may not stretch as far as it used to, essentially making it worth less. Crucially, this can also make it difficult to save as much as you would like to. For much of America, that’s exactly the case—that 4.6% savings rate, down from 8%, is likely because people’s money isn’t stretching as far as it used to, and they are dipping into their reserves to maintain their lifestyle or cover their costs of living.

When it comes to retirement planning, it’s important to take a long-term view when it comes to issues of saving. While everyone’s financial situation is different, it is generally a costly decision to use your retirement funds as backup savings accounts before you retire. The issue with withdrawing from your retirement accounts if you are not yet retired is that they will be subject to many additional fees and taxes. If you haven’t reached the age of 59.5, you’ll face a 10% tax penalty for early withdrawal of a retirement account. Also, withdrawing from a traditional retirement account can also raise your income bracket and raise your income taxes for the year as well.[4] It is important to keep these fees and taxes in mind when you’re deciding how to handle changes to your financial situation.

If you are looking for help with your finances and are trying to find ways of protecting yourself and your investments from the creep of inflation, our professional financial advisors can provide you with advice and strategies to make sure that you know exactly how your decisions will affect your accounts. Reach out to us today for a complimentary review of your finances.

 


Hilltop Wealth Solutions (“Hilltop”) is a registered investment advisor with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and only transacts business in states where it is properly registered or is excluded or exempted from registration requirements. SEC registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. Please refer to our Form ADV Part 2A disclosure and Client Relationship Summary (Form CRS) for additional information regarding the qualifications and business practices of Hilltop. Hilltop Wealth Solutions, LLC is an SEC Registered Investment Adviser firm. Hilltop Tax Solutions, LLC, is an affiliate of Hilltop. Wealth Solutions that provides tax and bookkeeping services.

Website Disclosures

Hilltop Wealth Solutions (“Company”) is an SEC registered investment adviser located in Mishawaka, IN with branch office located in MI and other locations throughout IN.  The Company may only transact business in those states in which it is registered or qualifies for an exemption or exclusion from registration requirements.  The Company’s web site is limited to the dissemination of general information pertaining to its advisory services, together with access to additional investment-related information, publications, and links.  Accordingly, the publication of the Company’s web site on the Internet should not be construed by any consumer and/or prospective client as the Company’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect transactions in securities, or the rendering of personalized investment advice for compensation, over the Internet.  Any subsequent, direct communication by the Company with a prospective client shall be conducted by a representative that is either registered or qualified for an exemption or exclusion from registration in the state where the prospective client resides.  For information pertaining to the registration status of the Company, please contact the SEC or the state securities regulators for those states in which the Company maintains a notice filing.  A copy of the Company’s current written disclosure statement discussing Company business operations, services, and fees is available by going online via the SEC’s Investment Advisers Public Disclosure (IAPD) database at www.adviserinfo.sec.gov, using SEC #801-115255.

The Company does not make any representations or warranties as to the accuracy, timeliness, suitability, completeness, or relevance of any information prepared by any unaffiliated third party, whether linked to the Company web site or incorporated herein and takes no responsibility, therefore.  All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly.

Please remember that different types of investments involve varying degrees of risk, and there can be no assurance that the future performance of any specific investment or investment strategy (including those undertaken or recommended by the Company, will be profitable or equal any historical performance level(s).

Certain portions of Company web site (i.e. newsletters, articles, commentaries, etc.) may contain a discussion of, and/or provide access to, the Company (and those of other investment and noninvestment professionals) positions and/or recommendations as of a specific prior date.  Due to various factors, including changing market conditions, such discussion may no longer be reflective of current position(s) and/or recommendation(s).  Moreover, no client or prospective client should assume that any such discussion serves as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized advice from the Company, or from any other investment professional.

The Company is neither an attorney nor an accountant, and no portion of the web site content should be interpreted as legal, accounting or tax advice.

Rankings and/or recognition by unaffiliated rating services and/or publications should not be construed by a client or prospective client as a guarantee that he/she will experience a certain level of results if the Company is engaged, or continues to be engaged, to provide investment advisory services, nor should it be construed as a current or past endorsement of the Company by any of its clients.  Rankings published by magazines and others, generally base their selections exclusively on information prepared and/or submitted by the recognized adviser.  Rankings are generally limited to participating advisers.

To the extent that any client or prospective client utilizes any economic calculator or similar interactive device contained within or linked to the Company web site, the client and/or prospective client acknowledges and understands that the information resulting from the use of any such calculator/device, is not, and should not be construed, in any manner whatsoever, as the receipt of, or a substitute for, personalized individual advice from the Company, or from any other investment professional.

Each client and prospective client agrees, as a condition precedent to his/her/its access to the Company web site, to release and hold harmless the Company, its officers, directors, owners, employees and agents from any and all adverse consequences resulting from any of his/her/its actions and/or omissions which are independent of his/her/its receipt of personalized individual advice from the Company.

Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.