Author: Complete Controller

Life insurance deals with an insurance company where the policyholder agrees to pay a premium. The insurer admits to paying capital to the beneficiaries designated in the policy in the incident of the insured’s death.

Who Can be the Beneficiary of Life Insurance?

The designation of beneficiaries is what you decide; they can be one or several beneficiaries with equal or different percentages. You may change the initially designated beneficiaries and persons other than the heirs at any time.

If you have kids or other family members dependent on your income, they are usually the beneficiaries of your insurance policy. You can also name an NGO, a creditor bank, or another entity.

Who Needs Life Insurance?

I can’t think of anyone who may not need life insurance: anyone who has payment obligations for mortgages, personal loans, a partner, children, or dependents who depend on their income in entire or in part to meet their needs.

What if I Don’t Have Family Responsibilities or Loans?

Have you thought that life insurance can cover you for possible disabilities? Then, you will be the beneficiary with a capital that will help you maintain your standard of living if you can no longer work for health reasons. If you are from that small part of the population in this situation, perhaps your parents need help in their old age, and you are not there to provide it.

Can I Have More than One Life Insurance?

Yes, you can have as much as you need, each for the amount, term, premium, and beneficiaries you decide.

It is usual to have life insurance that covers the outstanding amount of the mortgage. In this case, the beneficiary is usually a Bank Entity. Still, you can also take out life insurance that guarantees your children’s studies and another that can generate income to complement widows’ and orphans’ pensions.

What if I Have Enough Money and Don’t Need Life Insurance?

Life insurance has many more advantages in addition to financially protecting the family. You can use it to create an inheritance since it can be self-settled independently of the rest of the hereditary mass. The beneficiaries will always receive the insured capital.

You can also leave an estate with life insurance to people other than the heirs.

If a Person Has No Income, Why Take Out Life Insurance?

Not doing paid work does not mean that your contribution to the family does not have an economic value. A person dedicated to caring for children and the home does an essential job; hiring people to do that work is costly if missing. And the life insurance compensation could serve to cover that need.

If you have debts, life insurance is ideal for preventing the heirs from having to bear them in the event of death. In addition, life insurance always covers obligations, even if the heir renounces the inheritance.

Can My Company Take Out Life Insurance for its Workers?

Yes, then the figure of the policyholder comes into play, who is the one who signs the contract and assumes the payment obligation, which is different from the Insured, who is the person whom the insurance protects.

For example, within the social benefits it gives its employees, your company can take out life insurance in their favor.

Can a Bank Force Me to Take Out My Life Insurance with Them?

Not; the law supports you in this regard. You can get life insurance from the insurance company of your choice. Remember that a comparative study of risk life insurance premiums, carried out by INESE, indicates that life insurance contracted with a bank can be up to 42% more expensive than with an insurance company.

Will I Have to Have a Medical Examination?

It is not usual, but it is possible that depending on the age and the capital you want to contract, the insurer requests a medical examination before signing the policy. In this case, the insurance company usually assumes the medical examination and tests cost.

Does Life Insurance Deduct Tax?

The life insurance linked to the mortgage deducts up to 15% of the premiums, the amounts destined to pay the mortgage, and the maximum limit of $9,040/year.

The conditions to deduct taxes are that the mortgage loan is for the primary residence, the acquisition is before 2013, and the beneficiary is the bank.

If you are self-employed, you can subtract, in the form of a reduction on the income tax base, the life insurance premiums that contingencies of death, permanent disability, or total disability up to a maximum of $500 per year.

How Would I Know if a Family Member had Life Insurance?

All you must do is request the information from the Registry of Death Coverage Contracts, which depends on the Ministry of Justice. This registry allows queries through three channels: online, in-person, or mail. Access here to find out all the deadlines and documents.

How is Life Insurance Compensation Taxed?

If you have been the beneficiary of life insurance contracted by another person, the amount to be received will be taxed through the Inheritance and Gift Tax. Depending on the Autonomous Community of residence and the relationship between beneficiary and policyholder, there are essential deductions of a specific nature. In addition to the ordinary deductions of inheritance tax, a total exemption may occur in the most common cases.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Requesting a loan to receive a personal vehicle is only a few days. In addition, the interest rate on a car loan is noticeably lower than on other types of loans. And you can use borrowed funds to buy a new and a used car. We have compiled a simple step-by-step guide to help you get a car loan quickly and safely.

Step 1: Apply for a Loan

First, a potential borrower is required to assess their financial capabilities. The monthly payment amount should not exceed 30% of the family income. Based on this, you should select a suitable model and loan program; too expensive a car can cause a permanent shortage of funds. It will be easier to decide on a bank by compiling a table and describing the conditions of various programs that seemed the most attractive.

There are many methods to apply for a car loan. For example, fill out a form on the bank’s portal or personally visit the office. Requirements for borrowers usually are posted on the official websites of credit organizations. Another way is to fill out a questionnaire on the dealer’s website, indicating the model you like. The car dealership manager will contact the potential borrower to clarify the details and independently send an application to many partner banks.

Step 2: Submit Documents and Wait for Conclusions

The list of documents needed to consider: you can clarify the application on the bank’s website or from a loan officer. The classic package includes a passport, income statement, a certified copy of the employment record, and a loan application. In rare cases, employees of financial organizations are required to bring a copy of a higher education diploma, marriage certificate, TIN, SNILS, bank account statement, and other papers.

Recently, express lending programs have been gaining popularity. In this case, the issuance method is as simple as possible. Money is provided based on a passport and any other document.

Step 3: Make a Down Payment

The next step is to conclude a contract of sale with a dealer center or an individual from whom the borrower buys a car. In the meantime, the borrower makes the down payment. In this case, the rule most often works: the more significant the amount of such a payment, the less the overpayment on the loan. As a rule, it ranges from 10 to 50% of the cost of the vehicle.

After agreeing to the contract, the buyer receives two sets of keys, a TCP, a service book, and an invoice with the debt balance. You need to decide on a particular car and complete these procedures within a limited time, which the bank sets. After its expiration, you will apply for a car loan on a new one.

Step 4: Take Out an Insurance Policy

Executing a comprehensive insurance policy is a prerequisite for issuing a loan. Since the car will become the collateral subject, the bank must protect it from all sorts of troubles. Therefore, such insurance should be valid for the entire loan term. In the meantime, the bank has no right to force the client to insure. Instead, he may charge a higher interest rate or refuse a loan.

The sum insured must be the same or higher than the car’s market value. Thus, the bank lessens the risks of non-repayment of credit funds. At the same time, credit organizations usually limit the list of companies where you can purchase insurance to the list of their partners.

Step 5: Sign an Agreement with the Bank

After that, the purchaser goes to the bank to sign a loan agreement and a pledge agreement. The latter restricts the borrower’s rights to dispose of the vehicle. Without the bank’s approval, the owner will not sell the car, rent it out, re-register it in a different name, or make significant structural changes. Such actions may be selected as fraud.

Before signing a loan agreement, it is necessary to study its terms carefully. If the contract infringes on the borrower’s rights, demand changes its terms or applies to another credit institution. It is better to ask for a draft contract in advance and read it calmly, and if you find its wording incomprehensible, contact a lawyer.

Step 6: Pick up the Car from the Seller

The bank transfers the loan money directly to the account of the seller organization. Before signing the transfer deed, inspect the car and carefully check all documents for errors. The transfer method may take several days, after which the purchase will be considered complete.

After that, the borrower will only have to register the car and transfer the original title to the bank for safekeeping. By the way, purchasing an OSAGO policy from the insurance company chosen for CASCO is better. Firstly, the policyholder, in this case, may receive an additional discount. Secondly, if you need to change the contract terms, do it with one insurer much faster.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

When you find yourself a career you love and want to succeed at, it becomes a high priority to sustain or raise the status of your career and avoid at all costs derailing its path or being responsible for its decline. However, even if we worry about adequately doing our job, sometimes we can make honest mistakes and deal a blow to our careers.

The most determining factor in our advancement is ourselves. Therefore, we are the ones who have the strength to cause the most significant possible damage to our Careers. Based on this, we should be mindful of the conditions and avoid mistakes that could destroy our professional careers.

The Habits that Can Most Harm Your Professional Career

1. Over-promise and under-deliver

It is widespread that we promise more than we can deliver to secure a job or a client. But, by setting unrealistic goals, the conclusion is that we cannot fulfill what we promised, which harms us immediately. It happens even if we believe that we can achieve it.

The most common method this happens is with delivery times. Perhaps we said we would do the job in a month, knowing it is a job of a month and a week, but we thought we could demand more of ourselves and achieve it. When we recognize that we cannot, we realize the error. Perhaps we will transfer the project in a month and a day, an adequate time; however, we could not fulfill our promise.

From the moment a customer agrees with something, they expect nothing less. Therefore, the explication is always to set realistic goals. Not too exaggerated, not too lazy. Fair enough.

2. Comfort

Comfort can destroy entire races without us even realizing it. When we are in ideal comfort, we may forget to keep improving, learn new things or methods, and continue our horizons. It will lead us to a sluggish condition, where believing everything is okay will make us fall behind.

Have you seen how much the world has emerged in a few years? These changes happen daily, and if you don’t stay current in your field, you’ll soon find that you’ve fallen behind and your career is in serious jeopardy.

3. Have an inflated ego

It can affect us similarly to the previous case, comfort. One that will be hard to wake up from when the bubble of our ego bursts and we admit that we were not what we thought we were. Perhaps after a series of successes, we consider that we are well, flourishing, and our ego is inflated. In this condition, we believe we already know everything we need to know and lose the craving to improve, inevitably leading to stagnation.

4. Negativity

Negativity can harm us as much as if we are independent and part of a workgroup.

If we remain negative, we lose the wish to work, and we will be complaining about everything, making it unlikely that the projects will turn out well. In the same way, if we are part of a workgroup and all our conversations, interactions, and cooperation involve negativity and complaints, people get fed up. They will not desire to work with you as a team.

5. Losing sight of the end goal

We must first achieve a chain of small things to achieve remarkable goals. It is so and has always been so. However, sometimes, we get so diverted by the little things and tasks in front of our eyes that we forget about the goal and the real motivation that should drive us.

Therefore, we should never forget why we do each little duty and know they will take us where we desire.

6. Act only for your interests

It is good to set up labor and professional relationships in any career. The worst thing is when we build them based on conflict, gossip, and creating hostilities for our profit. Our preference should always be our work but, above all, to be genuine with our colleagues.

Labor relations are there to boost us, not distract us or waste time in useless conflicts.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Being a businessman entails taking chances, but we may avoid the most common problems by developing a clear plan of action. Of course, certain risks are unique to an organization, but others are more universal and can thus be anticipated. On the other hand, successful people have a track record of taking risks and succeeding as a result. It’s more realistic to say that successful people chase possibilities only after establishing the boundaries of the risks they’re willing to take.
Here are some of the most significant risks:

 

The Funds are Drained

It’s critical to have a sound capital plan in place so that you can reach the sub-goals that make the film appealing to investors at different stages of growth. Understanding the factors investors use to make investment decisions is crucial to your success. One of the critical duties of any Startup & Growth unit should be to assist firms in developing a strategy to ensure that they can acquire money at each stage of their life cycle. Businesses should have enough money to endure 2 to 2.5 years. If the company has less than that, it may face challenges if something unexpected occurs, such as a viral outbreak. Hedging capital is a crucial aspect of risk management.

Investors Who Made Poor Decisions

We should be picky about who we invest in. Problems can emerge if the company and the investor have conflicting expectations. While the investor may want to put money into sales to boost income, the founder would rather spend time and money on the company’s product or technology. Also, remember to run a background check on any potential investors. For example, if the company attracts an investor with payment terms, obtaining a bank loan in the future may be problematic. Determining whether the possible investor can and is willing to offer additional funds is also crucial if the situation gets urgent. Companies with investors who can provide extra funds have a better success rate. Those with investors who refuse or cannot commit extra money are more likely to face difficulties. Too many businesses only take cash when they should spend more time assessing whether investors are the best fit for them. Investors’ contributions to the company can be critical, so it’s necessary to understand what you’ll require.

A Poor Fit Between the Product and the Market 

Without a marketplace, there will be no revenue. Thus, the corporation figures out what demand must look like early on—finding a good market for products and ensuring that the items fit the market’s needs. Please do not overlook the importance of establishing a shareholder’s agreement that spells out the shareholders’ rights and responsibilities and their interests and positions in the organization. Such an agreement can be invaluable when setting expectations and determining how to respond to certain crisis circumstances before they emerge. Make a detailed analysis of the company and industry and the competitors and customers to guarantee that there is a market for the product. Launch a stripped-down product with a minimal viable cost and test it on your target audience to increase your chances of avoiding a flop. We can’t always know who our competitors are in today’s fast-paced world. We may have an excellent idea for a product we want to produce, but someone in another country may already work on it. As a result, the planning process must be completed immediately.

Currency Risk

One of the most significant hazards for growing businesses is being caught off guard by financial auditing and reporting requirements. Many companies are subject to currency risk whether they realize it or not. The recent significant volatility in the foreign exchange market should remind all enterprises with international clients, subcontractors, or production to put currency risk at the top of their priority list. Many businesses realize the advantages of automating their currency risk management. In the early stages of a company’s growth, falling behind on accounting is extremely tough and costly. When businesses begin to expand faster, they frequently require additional funding, making it even more critical to maintain good accounting practices to prevent the danger of venture capitalists devaluing the business.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Following are some points that need to be considered to get maximum benefits from social security.

Examine Your History

You may receive a decent estimate of how much Social Security income you can expect by opening a My Social Security account with the Social Security Administration (SSA). It will allow you to view the Social Security Administration’s record of your wages, which you should review periodically to ensure they are accurate. If they aren’t, you may receive fewer benefit checks than you have earned. Correcting inaccuracies in your record is an excellent strategy to boost your benefits.

At the Very Least, Work Throughout the Entire 35-year Period

Your benefit amount is calculated by the Social Security Administration (SSA) based on your lifetime earnings. The Social Security Administration modifies your payments by indexing them to account for changes in average salaries since the years you received them. The Social Security Administration then adds up your earnings from your 35 highest-earning years. It applies the average indexed monthly earnings (AIME) calculation to calculate the amount you’ll get when you reach full retirement age.

Until You Reach Full Retirement Age, Maximize Your Earnings

The Social Security Administration (SSA) calculates your benefit amount based on your wages; thus, the more you earn, the greater your benefit amount will be. Some pre-retirees search for methods to supplement their income by working part-time or starting a company. Others, ignorant of the effect on benefits, may reduce their work hours or semi-retire, lowering their Social Security income.

Delaying the Benefits

Delaying the commencement of your Social Security payments is another strategy to boost your benefits. You can begin as early as 62 and continue until 70. We all have a “full” retirement age (usually about 66 or 67), after which your benefits will increase by around 8% for every year you postpone. If you wait until you’re 70 instead of 67, your benefits will increase by 24%. If you achieve full retirement age at 67 and start collecting benefits at 64, your payouts will be 80% of what they could be if you started at 67.

Begin Collecting at the Age of 62

Postponing will not benefit you much if you live an ordinary life since you will end up with fewer checks than those who started earlier with smaller checks. Waiting will be worthwhile if you live far longer than the average person. Start saving now if you have reason to believe you will live a shorter life than the average person or if you need the money. For the most part, that is a reasonably prudent course of action.

Take Advantage of a Spousal Benefit

If you’re married and your partner has a lengthier work record than you, you could be eligible for a “spousal benefit” based on your spouse’s earnings rather than your own. Spouses can get benefits equal to up to 50% of the benefits received by their other half. It is especially beneficial for spouses who have never worked or have a low income.

If You’re Working in Retirement, Don’t Make Too Much Money

If you want to start receiving benefits before you reach full retirement age and work part-time while doing so, remember that your payouts may be reduced. “We must subtract $1 from your benefits for every $2 you earn above $17,040 throughout the whole year if you are less than full retirement age,” the Social Security Administration adds. The earnings ceiling increases to $45,360 when you reach full retirement age, and the penalty reduces to $1 withheld for every $3 earned above the maximum. Any money withheld, on the other hand, is not lost. It’s accounted for in subsequent benefit checks, which are improved consequently.

Investigate Surviving and Disability Benefits

Social Security disability payments are offered to people of all ages who qualify. If you’ve been divorced, are handicapped, or are related to those who are disabled, you may be eligible for greater Social Security benefits than you thought. Social Security sometimes pays widow and disability allowance and retirement payments to retirees’ dependents. If your spouse passes away, you and your kids may be entitled to survivor payments up to the age of 17. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Is it hard to find a career that suits your personal qualities and interests? Take a test to see which profession might do you. Start at the right end – with yourself.

We all strive to find a good job by choosing the right career. The phrase “find a job you love and you will never have to work another day in your life.” It illuminates something most of us strive for. It puts a lot of tension on those trying to choose the right career. But can you find a job you appreciate so much that it does not feel like work?

Is it Possible to Discover an Excellent Job by Choosing the Right Career?

There will be days when we do not feel like working for most of us. No matter how much time we spend finding an excellent job by choosing the right career. There will also be days when you think you want to do just that job, even if you are unpaid. The trick is to select a career with an overwhelming majority of good days versus those that may not be so good.

With the vast number of professions available, you should keep a few things in mind to increase the odds of a satisfying career. Try to find a job that suits your interests, suitability, personality, characteristics, and values. You must also enjoy the work tasks; the salary is acceptable, the job prospects are excellent, and the company culture is correct. Below, you can read more tips for finding a good job by choosing the right career.

Get to Know Yourself

The initial step you should do is to learn as much as possible about yourself by spending some time doing a self-assessment. Only when you have a greater understanding of yourself can you successfully explore careers based on what you come up with.

Learn More About Different Professions and Careers

The results of a self-assessment often include a list of other disciplines and trades that may suit you based on various factors such as personality. But choosing the right career and finding a suitable job does not end there. Some of the trades you find after a self-assessment may suit you perfectly; others may be completely wrong.

Many Different Criteria Must Agree

Although some careers seem to be a good match based on your personality type, interests, and values, they may be inappropriate in other ways. It may be that the tasks do not appeal to you. Or that the outlook for the labor market in the future may be poor. It may also be that the training required involves more time and commitment than you are willing to give.

Investigate Several Career Opportunities

Make sure you make an informed opinion by carefully researching each career you are interested in. Carefully read job descriptions for different professions and think past some preconceived notions you may have. If you do not have personal experience before starting your review, there is much to learn before finding a good job.

Find Out if You Meet the Requirements

Suppose you are still interested in specific careers after researching different professions in more detail. Then, the next step is to see what the training requirements are. If an academic education is required to advance in a career, you are not prepared to pursue one. Then it might be the best idea not to choose that career. Make sure to match the requirements of your resume.

Examine the Prospects for Jobs in the Future

You are doing yourself a disservice if you do not examine what a specific profession has for prospects in the labor market. Whether the competition is low or high and in which parts of the country. Investing time to study for a profession and career and then realizing that competition is high and high unemployment is not fun. Choose right from the start!

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

To get a mortgage, you first apply for a loan promise. Below, you can read more about how to take out a home loan. It is easier to make a good home purchase if you are prepared and know how much you can borrow. When you search for a new house, it is wise to have the loan promise in order even before the show. A loan promise is an advance notice from the bank about how much you can borrow for your new home. However, it is necessary to remember that the loan promise is limited in time and only applies for a certain period. You also find out how much the bank thinks you can afford with a loan promise. You can embrace up to 85% of the value of the home. You need to shoot the remaining part yourself, a so-called cash bet.

Review Your Finances

Before looking for condominiums, reviewing your finances may be a good idea. What can you afford? Start by doing a mortgage calculation and see your housing cost. Then you know how much you can afford and can focus on the right home. Remember to consider costs such as electricity, property tax, and the margin for interest rate increases.

How Much Can I Borrow?

How big a mortgage you can receive depends on many different things you agree with your bank. The bank considers, among other things:

• How many of you are in the family
• Form of employment
• Household income
• How much cash bet can you put
• Other possible loans that you or you already have.
• The monthly fee to the association (if you want to buy a condominium)

Apply for a Loan Promise

It is essential to be prepared. You don’t know when your dream home will turn up. With a loan promise in hand, you know in advance how much you can borrow and can strike immediately when you have found your new home. A loan promise costs nothing, is not binding, and is limited in time.

Valuation of Existing Housing

Do you own a home to be sold while you’re looking for a new one? Of course, we are happy to help you sell your current home. Contact your local broker for free valuation and advice. Then, you get a head start when the dream home appears. Together, we lay the foundation and tailor your home sales search for your new dream home.

Cash Bet

To take out a mortgage, you must have a cash contribution of at least 15% of the price of the home. A cash contribution is part of the purchase price not covered by the mortgage.

Down Payment Loan

At the housing deal itself, you need to pay a down payment. It is produced when you sign the purchase contract and must be paid back by the seller when you gain access to your new home.

Bridging Loans

A bridging loan is a temporary loan for you who take over your new home before you have had time to sell your previous home. The sale of the old home usually finances the new home, and if you have not had time to sell the old house, a situation arises where you lack the purchase price for the new home. You will repay the bridging loan as soon as the old home has been sold.

The Size of the Mortgage 

When you take out a mortgage to purchase a house, the mortgage may not exceed 85 percent of the purchase price, i.e., the final price for the home. The remaining 15 percent must consist of a cash contribution. If you buy a house for $1 million, the loan must not be more than $850,000.

Amortization Requirements

On March 1, 2018, there was a stricter repayment requirement, meaning the bank needs to consider the loan amount to your income. New borrowers with mortgages that exceed 4.5 times the gross income must repay at least 1% of the mortgages in addition to the application requirement.

• If you have a loan between 70–85% of the market value, you must repay at least 2% of the loan amount per year
• If you have a loan between 50–70% of the market value, you must repay at least 1% of the loan amount per year

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

By: Jennifer Brazer

Jennifer is the author of From Cubicle to Cloud and Founder/CEO of Complete Controller, a pioneering financial services firm that helps entrepreneurs break free of traditional constraints and scale their businesses to new heights.

Fact Checked By: Brittany McMillen

Allocating Your Investment: Expert Tips for Maximum Returns

Investment allocation strategies balance risk and reward, creating a framework that empowers investors to achieve their long-term financial goals through market cycles. Selecting the right mix of assets is the cornerstone of successful investing—more important than picking individual securities.

Every investor faces the challenge of building a portfolio that can weather market volatility while capturing growth opportunities. Whether you’re just starting your investment journey or managing substantial wealth, the principles of smart allocation can mean the difference between consistent progress and frustrating setbacks.

What is investment allocation and how do you maximize returns?

• Investment allocation is the strategic distribution of capital across different asset classes based on risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals, maximized through diversification, regular rebalancing, and adjusting strategies as market conditions change.

• Effective allocation starts with understanding your personal risk profile and time horizon, then building a portfolio that matches these parameters while aiming for the highest potential returns.

• Regular rebalancing prevents portfolio drift and maintains your intended risk profile, ensuring you’re not over-exposed during market downturns.

• Diversification across uncorrelated asset classes reduces overall portfolio volatility while capturing growth from different market sectors.

• Professional portfolio management often outperforms DIY approaches through disciplined execution of allocation strategies and access to institutional-level research.

The Science of Strategic Asset Allocation

Strategic asset allocation forms the foundation of intelligent investing by establishing baseline percentages for each asset class in your portfolio. This approach isn’t about market timing but creating a resilient framework that aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance. Research consistently shows that asset allocation—not individual security selection—determines approximately 90% of portfolio returns over time.

Core principles of risk-return optimization

Understand how equities, bonds, and cash form the foundation of modern portfolios, with equities offering higher potential returns at greater risk. Stocks historically deliver 7-10% average annual returns with significant volatility, while bonds typically return 3-5% with moderate fluctuations. Cash equivalents provide stability but struggle to outpace inflation.

“A 50% stocks / 50% bonds mix historically may achieve 7.5% annual returns, but requires strict adherence to rebalancing.” Vanguard Model Portfolios

Your optimal allocation must reflect your time horizon—the longer you can stay invested, the more equity exposure you can reasonably tolerate. Younger investors with 30+ year horizons might consider 80-90% equity allocations, while those nearing retirement often shift toward 40-60% to protect accumulated wealth.

Strategic vs. tactical allocation

Compare long-term strategic plans (e.g., 60/40 stock/bond split) with tactical shifts for market opportunities:

• Strategic: Buy-and-hold approach using historic return expectations
• Tactical: Short-term adjustments (e.g., moving to cash during volatility)

The strategic approach establishes your investment North Star—a portfolio allocation you return to after market movements push you off course. In contrast, tactical allocation makes temporary adjustments based on economic indicators, valuations, or market trends.

Pro Tip: Young investors tolerate higher equity exposure; retirees prioritize capital preservation with bond-heavy portfolios to generate income and reduce principal fluctuations during withdrawal phases.

Diversification Tactics for Risk-Managed Growth

Effective diversification goes beyond simply owning multiple investments—it requires spreading capital across assets that respond differently to economic conditions. This approach reduces portfolio volatility while maintaining growth potential, allowing you to stay invested through market turbulence.

Asset class diversity

Spread investments across:

• Traditional: Stocks, bonds, REITs
• Alternatives: Private equity, commodities, cryptocurrencies

Each asset class plays a specific role in your portfolio. Large-cap stocks provide growth and often dividends, while small-caps offer higher growth potential with increased volatility. Government bonds provide stability during stock market declines, and corporate bonds offer yield with moderate risk. Real estate investments deliver income and inflation protection through direct property ownership or REITs.

Asset Class	Risk Level	Return Potential
Equities	High	High
Bonds	Medium	Moderate
Cash/Cash Equivalents	Low	Low

 

When building your diversified portfolio, consider your specific financial situation rather than blindly following general rules. A business owner already has significant exposure to their company’s success might need more conservative financial investments to balance overall risk.

Sector & geographic diversification

Avoid overconcentration in single industries (e.g., tech stocks in 2000s crash):

1. Domestic vs. International: Balance US exposure with emerging markets
2. Cyclicals vs. Defensives: Offset volatile sectors with stable industries

Many investors unknowingly concentrate in familiar sectors—particularly technology and consumer discretionary. This creates dangerous vulnerabilities during sector-specific downturns. Consider how differently utilities, healthcare, and technology stocks performed during the 2020 pandemic. While tech soared, energy and financials struggled.

Geographic diversification provides similar benefits. When the US market experiences headwinds, international markets (particularly emerging economies) may continue growing. Aim for exposure to different economic regions through broad international funds or targeted country-specific ETFs for more sophisticated portfolios.

Mastering Asset Allocation Strategies in Modern Markets

Today’s investment landscape offers sophisticated tools for optimizing allocation beyond traditional approaches. By leveraging data-driven methodologies and understanding market dynamics, investors can build portfolios aligned with both mathematical principles and practical realities.

Modern portfolio theory (MPT) in action

Implement MPT’s correlation analysis to optimize risk-adjusted returns:

• Pair low-correlated assets (e.g., US Treasuries with international equities)
• Use efficient frontier models to identify optimal risk-return combinations

Nobel Prize-winning economist Harry Markowitz revolutionized investing with Modern Portfolio Theory, demonstrating mathematically that combining assets with different correlation patterns produces better risk-adjusted returns than investing in isolation. This concept forms the basis of virtually all professional portfolio management today.

The key insight: adding an asset that seems risky on its own might actually reduce your overall portfolio risk if it zigs when your other investments zag. For example, gold often performs well during stock market declines, making it valuable beyond its standalone return potential. The investment strategy based on Modern Portfolio Theory helps investors maximize returns for their chosen risk tolerance.

Advanced strategies for sophisticated investors

• Sector Rotation: Shift between energy/tech/healthcare based on economic cycles
• Dynamic Rebalancing: Adjust allocations quarterly vs. annual reviews

Beyond basic allocation approaches, sophisticated investors implement cyclical adjustments based on economic indicators. In early expansion phases, materials and industrials typically outperform. During peak growth, consumer discretionary and technology often lead. As growth moderates, defensive sectors like utilities and consumer staples typically provide better risk-adjusted returns.

Case Study: A Complete Controller client transitioning from tech-heavy to diversified portfolio reduced volatility by 40% while maintaining growth targets. By redistributing capital from concentrated tech positions into value stocks, international equities, and select bond categories, the client weathered the 2022 tech correction with minimal drawdown while positioning for recovery.

Case Study: Proven Investment Allocation Models

Examining established allocation frameworks provides valuable perspective on practical implementation strategies. These model portfolios offer proven approaches based on decades of market research and real-world performance.

Vanguard’s target-date funds

Pre-configured allocations automatically adjust equity exposure based on retirement dates:

• Aggressive: 90% stocks / 10% bonds (early career)
• Conservative: 50% stocks / 50% bonds (near retirement)

Target-date funds apply a glide path concept, gradually reducing risk as investors approach their goal date. This approach recognizes that risk capacity changes throughout life—younger investors can weather market volatility and benefit from long-term equity growth, while those nearing retirement need to protect accumulated capital.

The beauty of these models lies in their simplicity and discipline. Without emotional interference, these portfolios maintain optimal allocation through automatic rebalancing. For investors saving for retirement funds for secure future, this automated approach removes emotion from the equation.

“Our clients using auto-rebalancing systems saw 15% better consistency in returns vs. manual management.” – Jennifer, Complete Controller Founder

Variations on this approach include the classic 60/40 stock/bond portfolio, which has delivered reliable returns for decades. While some argue this allocation is outdated in today’s low-yield environment, research shows its resilience across market cycles when properly implemented with global diversification and regular rebalancing.

Navigating Market Shifts with Dynamic Adjustment

Even the best allocation strategy requires periodic refinement as markets evolve, your financial situation changes, and your time horizon shortens. Understanding when and how to make these adjustments separates successful investors from those who fall short of their goals.

Rebalancing best practices

1. Threshold-Based: Rebalance when allocations drift by ≥5% from targets
2. Tax-Efficient: Harvest losses in taxable accounts first
3. Cost Management: Use low-cost ETFs for frequent adjustments

Many investors understand rebalancing conceptually but struggle with implementation. The data shows that emotional decision-making often leads to buying high and selling low—the opposite of successful investing. Establishing predetermined rebalancing triggers removes this behavioral risk.

A threshold-based approach is typically more effective than calendar-based rebalancing. Rather than automatically adjusting every quarter or year, monitor your allocations and rebalance when they drift beyond your comfort zone (typically 5-10% from targets). This method captures volatility while minimizing transaction costs and tax implications.

For taxable accounts, coordinate rebalancing with tax strategies. Using new contributions to restore balance or harvesting tax losses can significantly improve after-tax returns. The investment diversification tips from official sources reinforce these approaches while adding regulatory perspective.

Life stage adjustments

Life Stage	Equity %	Bond %	Cash %
Early Career	70-80	20-30	0-10
Mid-Career	60-70	30-40	0-10
Pre-Retirement	50-60	40-50	10-20

 

Your allocation should evolve with your life circumstances. Early-career investors benefit from equity-heavy portfolios that capitalize on long time horizons. As retirement approaches, capital preservation becomes increasingly important, justifying a shift toward fixed income.

Major life events often necessitate allocation adjustments. Marriage, home purchases, or starting a business may temporarily increase your cash needs. Similarly, receiving an inheritance might allow for increased risk capacity. Regular portfolio reviews should include reassessment of these personal factors alongside market conditions.

Building Resilience Through Continuous Portfolio Optimization

In today’s complex investment landscape, building true resilience requires looking beyond traditional allocation models to incorporate alternative assets, technology tools, and sustainable investing approaches that align with both financial goals and personal values.

Beyond traditional assets

Incorporate alternatives like:

• Real Estate: REITs or direct property investments
• Private Equity: Pre-IPO opportunities
• Commodities: Gold/silver as inflation hedges

Alternative investments can enhance returns while reducing correlation to traditional markets. Real estate provides inflation protection and income potential through direct ownership, private REITs, or publicly-traded real estate investment trusts. For accredited investors, private equity offers access to companies before public offerings, potentially capturing significant growth premiums.

Commodities provide unique portfolio benefits during inflationary periods when both stocks and bonds may struggle. Gold, in particular, has demonstrated value during market stress, financial crises, and currency debasement scenarios. A small allocation (5-10%) can provide meaningful diversification benefits without significantly reducing overall expected returns.

Technology-driven tools

Leverage robo-advisors and ESG-screened funds for automated, values-aligned investing.

Technology has democratized sophisticated portfolio management through automated platforms that handle allocation, rebalancing, and tax optimization at minimal cost. These platforms apply institutional-quality processes to portfolios of all sizes, removing emotional biases from investment decisions.

For values-conscious investors, ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) screening tools help align portfolios with personal principles without sacrificing returns. Research increasingly shows that companies with strong ESG practices often demonstrate better long-term financial performance and risk management, making this approach both principled and practical.

The investment strategy for long-term growth continues evolving with these technological advances, providing more options for investors at all levels to implement professional-grade allocation strategies.

Conclusion

Smart allocation isn’t about chasing returns—it’s about matching your portfolio to your goals while managing risk. Regularly review and adjust your strategy, using tools from strategic models to tactical shifts. Complete Controller helps clients implement these strategies with personalized financial planning.

The most successful investors maintain discipline through market cycles, avoiding emotional reactions to short-term volatility. By establishing clear allocation targets based on your time horizon and risk tolerance, then systematically rebalancing when markets push your portfolio off course, you create a framework for long-term success.

For personalized guidance on optimizing your investment allocation strategy, explore our financial planning insights or schedule a consultation to discuss your specific financial situation.

👉 Take Action: Start optimizing your investment strategy

FAQ

What’s the best investment strategy for beginners?

Beginners should start with low-cost, broadly diversified index funds that provide instant diversification. Focus on establishing regular investment habits through automatic contributions, keeping investment costs below 0.25% annually, and maintaining a long-term perspective through market volatility. Start with a simple 70/30 or 80/20 stock/bond allocation through target-date funds or robo-advisors before attempting more complex strategies.

How to diversify a portfolio?

Effective diversification requires spreading investments across multiple dimensions: asset classes (stocks, bonds, alternatives), geographies (US, international developed, emerging markets), sectors (technology, healthcare, financials, etc.), and investment styles (growth, value, income). Aim for assets with low correlation to each other, and regularly rebalance to maintain your target allocations as markets move.

How often should I rebalance my portfolio?

Most investors benefit from a threshold-based rebalancing approach rather than strict time intervals. Monitor your portfolio quarterly but only rebalance when allocations drift 5% or more from your targets. This approach captures the benefits of buying low and selling high while minimizing transaction costs and tax implications. Annual comprehensive reviews remain essential regardless of whether rebalancing is triggered.

What’s the difference between strategic and tactical allocation?

Strategic allocation establishes your long-term investment framework based on your time horizon, risk tolerance, and financial goals. It’s your portfolio’s “home base” that you return to through rebalancing. Tactical allocation involves temporary adjustments to this baseline based on current market conditions, economic indicators, or valuation metrics. Strategic allocation drives 80-90% of long-term results, while tactical moves provide potential incremental benefits.

What’s the role of cash in an investment portfolio?

Cash serves three critical functions in a portfolio: providing liquidity for near-term expenses, creating dry powder for opportunistic investments during market corrections, and reducing overall portfolio volatility. Most investors should maintain 3-6 months of expenses in high-yield savings accounts, plus an additional 5-10% tactical cash allocation within investment accounts for market opportunities.

Sources

• Investopedia. “How to Achieve Optimal Asset Allocation.” Investopedia, www.investopedia.com/managing-wealth/achieve-optimal-asset-allocation/.
• Vanguard. “Investment Portfolios: Asset Allocation Models.” Vanguard, investor.vanguard.com/investor-resources-education/education/model-portfolio-allocation.
• Tenet Wealth Partners. “5 Asset Allocation Strategies to Maximize Returns.” Tenet Wealth Partners, tenetwealthpartners.com/insights/diversify-and-conquer-5-asset-allocation-strategies-to-maximize-your-portfolio-returns/.
• Investopedia. “6 Asset Allocation Strategies That Work.” Investopedia, www.investopedia.com/investing/6-asset-allocation-strategies-work/.
• Financial Edge. “Asset Allocation Strategies.” Financial Edge, www.fe.training/free-resources/portfolio-management/asset-allocation-strategies/.
• Bankrate. “7 Tips To Diversify Your Portfolio.” Bankrate, www.bankrate.com/investing/tips-for-diversifying-your-portfolio/.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Here are some ways to cut costs to get you started.

Down Your Electricity Bills and Consumption

It’s simple. Luckily, the amount of cash your business can apply monthly on gasoline and electricity is more than affordable. Also, consider overall energy efficiency. Replacing old fluorescent or even incandescent bulbs with LEDs and switching to more energy-efficient gear and applications are two easy ways to save. It could save your company from spending hundreds of those that would otherwise be lucrative dollars on unreasonably high energy bills.

Check Your Insurance Policy

Reviewing your business insurance package or existing policies can save you thousands of dollars annually – or monthly, depending on your needs.

Take the period to speak with an experienced business insurance agent. Explain the specific circumstances of your business and determine what exposure your company needs, then create a custom package that reflects that. Don’t skimp on insurance coverage enough to expose yourself to unnecessary risk and liability – don’t pay for the coverage your business doesn’t need.

Improve Recruitment and Personnel Management Processes

It’s no secret that people are the most significant expense for many companies. Hiring, recruiting, and retaining staff is a considerable investment, not to mention additional costs like managing payroll and posting your position on third-party job boards.

Every business is different, and at some point in its growth, you may find that you save money by outsourcing all your HR functions. You may find that hiring a “general HR specialist” is an excellent first step, so you have someone on your team to help with recruitment and compliance and things like payroll. When calculating possible scenarios, including the time you or your team spend on repetitive tasks and the payroll costs associated with that time, don’t forget to factor in infrastructure costs, including benefits, when hiring a full-time employee.

Invest in Your Online Presence with Digital Marketing

 From here, look at the structure of your website itself and how visitors navigate through it. This article on optimizing your website (for strategic consultants, but the advice is relevant for every business with a website) is a great guide to get you started.

The best thing you can do to save money on digital marketing is to ensure you direct your efforts toward your target market. First, who is your target market? If your answer is “everything,” return to the drawing board. Building a buyer persona will help you focus on specific messages and ads that appeal to the right people. You can expend much money and effort if you are unsure who your ideal client is.

From there, focus on your web metrics. Before spending money on a marketing campaign, map out your KPIs: the metrics you want to influence. Maybe they are visitors to your site, the number of people who made a purchase, aincreasedconversions, or even repeat customers. If you outsource work to a marketing agency or decide to invest in an internal marketing role, weigh the costs and benefits before signing up on the dotted line.

When you want to cut items from your marketing budget, start with things that don’t contribute to your core business goals. If your investment in Facebook ads resulted in 20,000 new subscribers, but they don’t attribute to any new business, look out for this discrepancy. Maybe it’s time to refocus the campaign, or you’ll get a better ROI by putting those marketing dollars elsewhere. The key to saving on costs is to review them regularly. Consider hosting a monthly or quarterly budget review meeting as part of your regular business plan review. You can even include a SWOT analysis in your review once or twice a year. New ideas and changes in strategic direction will undoubtedly affect where you spend money and how much. About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.

Although a tiny number of investors are ready to collect income from their portfolios without waiting for them to increase, many other investors want to see their portfolios grow. They are willing to wait for them much longer. You can say that they have the patience for it.

Defining the Growth

When it comes to investing, you can describe growth in various ways. Any growth in account value, such as when a certificate of deposit pays interest on its principle, is considered growth in the broadest terms. However, growth is usually based on investment returns in the investment world. Growth can come in the short and long term but don’t be fooled by its charm, and be critical when thinking about growth.

Buying and Holding

The most straightforward technique for attaining growth is buying and holding investments, which may also be one of the most effective over time. The results are that investors who buy stocks or other growth assets and maintain them in their portfolios with modest monitoring are frequently pleasantly pleased. People are often weak in holding, which leads them to sell it as it goes down, which leads them to lose; people need to understand that such things take time.

Timing the Market

Those who pay closer attention to the markets or specific assets can outperform the buy-and-hold approach if they can accurately predict the market.

This method will provide far more significant returns than merely keeping an asset over time and will also need the skill to assess market conditions accurately.

For the ordinary trader who cannot constantly track the market, it may be preferable to eschew timing rather than focus on alternative high-return tactics.

Assortment

Investors use this technique frequently in conjunction with the sales strategy. Diversification may minimize or eliminate many distinct forms of risk, including company risk. Several analyses have proved asset allocation among the essential elements in market returns, especially over extended durations. Sometimes mixing the techniques is perfect because there are times when one sales strategy is not working, and there are not many options left; people sometimes forget to assortment. It is beneficial to increase the chances of your portfolio using variety. One of the side effects is that people are not very good with mixtures, which tends to lead to mistakes. One of the best things to do when using an assortment is to learn from experts first.

Investing in the Right Sectors

Investors seeking rapid growth should look to industries such as tech, medical, infrastructure, and smaller businesses, which provide better returns in terms of increased risk and instability. Longer hold durations and good investment selection might help mitigate this risk.

DCA: Dollar Cost Average

DCA is a simple investing method that equity funds employ the most. A client will set aside a certain amount of money to be utilized to acquire shares in one or many more mutual funds regularly. Because the fund price will fluctuate from one purchase period to the next, the investor will decrease the total cost basis of the shares by purchasing fewer shares when the price is higher and more when the cost is low.

As a result, dollar-cost averaging helps the investor to make a more significant profit from the fund over the term. The primary benefit of DCA is that it eliminates the need for investors to bother about purchasing at the high end of the market or precisely timing their purchases.

Your portfolio can be a space to express yourself, amaze future employers, and make your work stand out. However, portfolio websites can be challenging to create.

Because graphic designer portfolios differ from front-end developers, we’ve included various other creative examples to get you started. Where should you start? What work should you possess, and what should you leave out? Not to mention the design and coding required to build a portfolio website.

These are a few of the best tips around.

About Complete Controller® – America’s Bookkeeping Experts Complete Controller is the Nation’s Leader in virtual bookkeeping, providing service to businesses and households alike. Utilizing Complete Controller’s technology, clients gain access to a cloud platform where their QuickBooks™️ file, critical financial documents, and back-office tools are hosted in an efficient SSO environment. Complete Controller’s team of certified US-based accounting professionals provide bookkeeping, record storage, performance reporting, and controller services including training, cash-flow management, budgeting and forecasting, process and controls advisement, and bill-pay. With flat-rate service plans, Complete Controller is the most cost-effective expert accounting solution for business, family-office, trusts, and households of any size or complexity.