Hello to my wonderful clients! I hope your year is off to a great start!

After spending some time reflecting on 2021 and planning for 2022, I wanted to share a few things with you. I promise to make it brief. I also wanted to share a few timely financial planning related things to put on your radar.

Planning Practice Update: The planning practice continues to grow - so much so that I’m excited to share that Cyndi Hall from my team (fellow CFP, many years of experience, shared LearnVest roots, wonderful human) is now a lead planner with my practice. Cyndi has been serving as a terribly overqualified paraplanner and operations manager for me for the last two years (akin to an attorney working as a paralegal - I've been so spoiled), and will continue to help in those areas, but she will also be getting back to serving clients directly, as she did previously in her career. Because she loves it. And because she’s great at it. And because her kids are finally old enough to go to school so she can meet with clients in peace. ;)

I am incredibly grateful that so many of you have referred me to those that you care about, and expanding the business so that we can take care of your referrals is a priority. Cyndi is in the process of reaching out to the people on our waiting list over the next few months, and we are hopeful to be caught up by summer. For the time being, my client roster is full (with all of you!), so Cyndi will be lead planner for new clients, but we work as a team and use the exact same approach, so my hope is that the client experience is very consistent for all clients of the firm, regardless of who their lead planner is. I am also looking to continue expanding the firm later this year to continue to support all of the phenomenal people coming our way. That said, please know that we will never let the growth of the business negatively impact your experience as a client.

Building Financial Planning Software: I continue to serve as Head of Financial Advice for Monarch Money as we build out a kick-ass digital financial planning experience directly for consumers. (Think TurboTax for financial planning, but WAY better.) We have a lot of work ahead, but I couldn't be more excited.

Personal Update: On a personal note, the boys are doing well, and Ryan and I continue to be humbled as we attempt to parent them through all that life has in store for elementary aged kiddos - bad words, big feelings, friendship challenges, learning about S-E-X (already!), winning and losing graciously... never a dull (or quiet) moment. And, as you may know, Ryan recently left his role as VP of GTM Strategy at Plume because it wasn't a good fit. I am grateful for the opportunity to carry us for a while and give him the gift of time to figure out what meaningful work looks like for him in this next season of his career. He gave me that same gift when I left LearnVest a few years ago without a plan, and I'm grateful for the opportunity to do the same for him. I know he’s gonna land somewhere phenomenal, but in the meantime, we’ll be coaching flag football together and enjoying this season in between seasons. Life doesn’t move in a straight line, and as a planner by nature (and profession) I really like straight lines, but I’m learning to love the squiggles even more.

Okay, enough (too much? sorry) about me, here are a few timely financial things to put on your radar as we kick off 2022…

401(k) Limit Increase: The maximum 401(k) contribution increased from $19,500 in 2021 to $20,500 in 2022. If part of your financial plan is maxing out your 401(k), increase your 401(k) contribution a bit (by about $100/mo if starting now) to account for the higher limit.

Use Dependent Care and Health FSA Dollars: Although the deadlines vary by company, you likely still have time to submit expenses to use up any funds you contributed to your FSA in 2021. But get on it because FSAs are use-it-or-lose-it which means if you don’t use the money, it disappears. More info here.

Series I Savings Bonds: Government savings bonds are rarely newsworthy, but due to a recent spike in inflation, Series I Savings Bonds purchased through April 2022 have an initial interest rate of 7.12%! This rate applies for the first six months you own the bond, and resets every six months. There is an initial lockup period of 12 months after which you can redeem the bond at par value at any time. The interest rate could certainly go down (or up) over time, but will never be below zero. If inflation is persistent, the rate will remain attractive as it is linked to the Consumer Price Index. You can purchase up to $10,000 of Series I bonds per person, per year, directly from the US Treasury. Series I bonds could be a great option if you have cash set aside for a goal that’s between one and three years away, or for a portion of your Emergency Fund that you are confident you won't need for the next 12 months. They could also be a great option for a portion of the bond component of a non-qualified portfolio. More info here and here.

This is not an investment recommendation and is intended for educational purposes only.

I hope this is helpful. And I hope that you have a great 2022!

Best, Natalie