LVM Capital celebrates start of 32nd year
As LVM Capital begins its 32nd year in business as a fiduciary wealth manager, we have witnessed many changes in the economy, the markets and certainly in technology, but our motto of Stewardship, Stability, Success remains a constant.
We are sincerely grateful for the trust you have placed in us as we provide stewardship over your financial matters. Merriam-Webster defines stewardship as the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care. As a fiduciary, we have a legal requirement to always place client interests ahead of LVM’s and its employees’ interests while other financial advisors, such as brokers, do not. We take that role very seriously and work to earn your trust every day.
The stability of our client base is a testament to our ability to do so. Some clients who have been with LVM since the day we opened our doors in 1988. We have numerous clients who have been with us for well over two decades. We have several second and third generation clients. We cherish these relationships as our clients are the only reason LVM exists.
We also have been blessed with a very stable and extremely talented staff. Our goal has always been to hire talented, self-motivated people who, in an environment of freedom, can blossom and create innovative solutions for our clients. We are a learning organization, and a great attraction of wealth management are the ever-present and evolving learning opportunities. LVM’s staff is encouraged to think independently and not to automatically buy conclusions from others. We have built an environment in which people enjoy their work and have fun.
Serving our clients is our most important fundamental. LVM’s success is measured by meeting our clients’ goals and objectives and exceeding their expectations. A key to that is understanding each client’s needs and maintaining close relationships with them. We continually strive to find better ways to give our clients what they really need and help them lead fuller lives, more satisfying lives.
Another constant over the past 31 years is our fundamental beliefs as a business:
A belief in the importance of the details of execution
A belief in the importance of people as individuals
A belief in superior quality and service
A belief that many members of the organization should be innovators
A belief in the importance of informality to enhance communication
We look forward to the next 32 years with great anticipation and gratitude.
Financial Advice for Recent College Graduates
You've put in the hard work as a college student and finally received your diploma. Now you're ready to head out on your own. And though you may not have given much thought to your financial future when you were in college, you have new financial challenges and goals to consider. Fortunately, there are some simple steps you can take to start on the right track with your personal finances.
Set financial goals
Setting goals is an important part of life, especially when it comes to your finances. And though your financial goals will likely changeover time, you can always make adjustments in the future. Start out by asking yourself some basic questions about your financial goals, such as whether they are short term (e.g., saving money to buy a car or rent an apartment) or long term (e.g., paying off student loans or buying your own home). Next, ask yourself how important it is to accomplish each goal and determine how much you would need to save for each goal.
Understand the importance of having a budget
A budget is an important part of managing your finances. Knowing exactly how you are spending your money each month can set you on a path to pursue your financial goals. Start by listing your current monthly income. Next, add up all of your expenses. It may help to divide expenses into two categories: fixed (e.g., housing, food, transportation, student loan payments) and discretionary (e.g., entertainment, vacations). Ideally, you should be spending less than you earn. If not, you need to review your expenses and look for ways to cut down on your spending.
Remember that the most important part of budgeting is sticking to it, so you should monitor your budget regularly and make changes as needed. To help stay on track, try to make budgeting a part of your daily routine and be sure to give yourself an occasional reward (e.g., dinner at a restaurant instead of cooking at home).
Establish an emergency fund
An emergency fund is money set aside to protect yourself in the event of an unexpected financial crisis, such as a job loss or medical bills. Typically, you will want to have at least three to six months' worth of living expenses in your cash reserve. Of course, the amount you should save depends on your individual circumstances (e.g., job stability, health status). A good way to establish an emergency fund is to earmark a portion of your paycheck each pay period to help achieve your goal.
Manage your debt situation properly
Whether it's debt from student loans or credit cards, you'll want to avoid the pitfalls that sometimes accompany borrowing. To manage your debt situation properly, keep track of your loan balances and interest rates and develop a plan to manage your payments and avoid late fees. If you need help paying off your student loans, consider the following tips:
Find out if your employer offers some type of student debt assistance
Contact your lender about your repayment options
Consider whether loan consolidation or refinancing is available
Maintain good credit
Having good credit will impact so many different aspects of your financial situation, from obtaining a loan to gaining employment. You can establish and maintain a good credit history by avoiding late payments on existing loans and paying down any debt you may have. In addition, you should monitor your credit report on a regular basis for possible errors or signs of fraud/identity theft.
Determine your insurance needs
Insurance might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think about your finances. However, having the right amount of insurance is an important part of any financial strategy. Your specific insurance needs will depend on your circumstances. For example, if you rent an apartment, you'll need renters insurance to protect yourself against loss or damage to your personal property. If you own a car, you should have appropriate coverage for that as well. You may also want to evaluate your need for other types of insurance, such as disability and life. As for health insurance, you have a couple of options. You can usually stay on your parents' insurance until you turn 26. In addition, you may have access to health insurance through your employer or a government-sponsored health plan, or you can purchase your own plan through the federal or state-based Health Insurance Marketplace. For more information, visit healthcare.gov
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