Article

Keep Sight of Personal Priorities

Keeping Sight of Your Personal Priorities

As a business owner, you can often lose sight of your personal priorities and goals as you invest the much-needed time and energy to grow and develop your company. Here are some ideas that might help you keep sight of your original hopes of achieving financial independence by owning your own business.

July 11, 2024
Keeping Sight of Your Personal Priorities
Important Disclosure: Content on our website and in our newsletters is for informational purposes only. The information provided may (or may not) directly apply to your situation. We recommend that readers work directly with a professional advisor when making decisions in the context of their specific situation.

In the rush of daily business activities, business owners­ can lose sight of what they had originally hoped to accomplish through their continuous efforts. Over time, as the business grows, personal objectives may also change. When was the last time you stopped to reevaluate your personal priorities and goals? Here are some key areas to consider.

Building Wealth

Many business owners become so engrossed in company operations that they inadvertently neglect their personal finances, particularly when most of their liquid assets are tied up in the business. To achieve financial independence and build personal wealth, it is important to make personal savings a priority. By conducting regular financial reviews and taking follow-up action as needed, you can develop strategies that will help strengthen your personal finances.

Preparing for Retirement

Many tax-deferred, qualified retirement savings vehicles, such as simplified employee pension plans (SEPs) or 401(k) plans, are available to business owners and their employees. The size of a company, along with the ages and salaries of its employees, often determine which type of retirement plan is most appropriate. In addition, nonqualified plans allow business owners to provide selective retirement benefits for themselves and their key employees.

Developing an Exit Strategy

Will your small business be marketable if and when you decide to sell? Develop an exit strategy that will help maintain the value of your business should you choose—or be forced by circumstance—to sell.

Keeping it in the family. Your company may be a closely held business, operated by more than one family member. If you wish to keep your company in the family, it is important to learn about transfer tax issues and to develop a business succession plan that will help secure your long-term goals.

Stay Focused

As your company grows and develops, remember to set your personal priorities, especially as they change over time. Annual reviews can help ensure that your business operations are consistent with your overall objectives.

Other content you may like

  • Valuing Liabilities like Assets

    September 10, 2024
    It’s natural for you to gravitate towards the idea of financial planning being focused on growing assets such as stocks, bonds and real estate. Many are surprised to learn that developing a comprehensive financial strategy doesn’t only involve focusing on what you own, but also what you owe.
    Read this Article
  • What's Driving the Market

    Podcast Highlight - Predictions: Two Steps Forward and One Step Back

    March 13, 2023
    The team is pretty much in agreement that 2023 is going to be up and down during this interplay between inflation and interest rate hikes. There’s also an expectation for bonds. And they discuss how Market Volatility affects investors and how the Risk Tolerance tool can help.
    Read this Article
  • Bonds Rebound with Historic Rally

    Bonds Rebound with Historic Rally

    January 2, 2024
    After losing money in 6 consecutive months, bonds make a historic rebound along with a bounce back in 60/40 portfolios. This market overview also includes more data on the bond market and how to understand changes to interest rates and bond returns by looking at history.
    Read this Article
  • Lessons from the Great Recession of 2007-2009

    Lessons from the Great Recession of 2007-2009

    July 12, 2022
    Before the next recession hits make sure you are prepared. This article looks at what was helpful when the hardships of unemployment, falling house prices, dwindling 401(k)s and increased financial anxieties hit. There are simple things you can do to prepare.
    Read this Article
  • The link you have selected is located on another server. The linked site contains information that has been created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of this organization. We do not endorse, approve, certify, or control any linked websites, their sponsors, or any of their policies, activities, products, or services. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information contained therein. Visitors to any linked websites should not use or rely on the information contained therein until they have consulted with an independent financial professional. Please click “Continue to Link” to leave this website and proceed to the selected site.
    phone-handset