Category Archives: Financial Independence

How much will be enough? Thats the question everyone stops at. There is no one answer. It depends on your current income, your lifestyle, your dependencies, etc. And how much ever you need, you cant save it all. You will have to let your money grow to that.

For instance, Amit retires with a lump sum amount of Rs 50 lakh as a part of his retirement benefits. However, 8-10 years post-retirement he found himself in dire straits as he had used up all his savings for other goals including funding his childs higher education, buying a car and a property. Because of this, he had no choice but to resume work again as a consultant in his old age to support his financial requirements.

Abhishek Misra, CEO and Principal Officer, Bonanza Insurance Broker says, There are many people who after retirement end up using the lump sum amount they receive on retirement for other goals such as buying a property or a vehicle, exotic vacations, childrens education or marriage. As a result, they end up either depending on others for money or are forced to take up work again.

He further adds, Therefore, it is important to opt for regular income even after retirement.

Here are a few reasons why regular income is important even after retirement:

For financial independence

In the absence of regular income, one has to depend on others or compromise on ones basic necessities. Hence, having a regular source of income can ensure financial independence and the freedom to live on your own terms.

To take care of health issues

Health problems tend to increase with increasing age. Health insurance is the first solution but most dont opt for it and depend on their employer-provided one. After retirement, they are left with no insurance cover.

Misra points out, A regular source of income even after retirement can ensure that one can avail the best treatment without compromising on other needs.

To take care of monthly expenses for the rest of the life

Industry experts say the average lifespan of humans has increased over the last few decades. This means it is important to have a source of regular income to take care of your monthly expenses as long as you are alive.

Tendency to use lumpsum amount received on retirement for other expenses

Due to the emotional quotient associated with familys needs especially those of children like higher education or marriage, many people tend to use their retirement corpus for other goals, explains Misra.

Therefore, in the absence of regular income after retirement, such situations can cause a lot of financial and mental stress at later stages of life.

Where to park the money?

Retirement is an ideal time to take up ones hobbies or interests. It is also a time when one should be free of financial stress, says Misra.

There are many investment options available for retirement planning such as direct equities, mutual funds and pension plans offered by life insurance companies. However, Misra says it is important to note that every investment comes with its own set of pros and cons. For example, while direct equities and mutual fund investments have the potential to generate high returns, the risk factor associated with them is also high. Pension plans offered by life insurance companies offer moderate but assured returns.

Further experts say a regular annuity plan can help one generate income on a regular basis to take care of various monthly expenses. By investing even a small amount on a regular basis in a deferred pension plan, for instance, one can build a huge corpus over the long term as the time horizon is large. The corpus thus generated can provide annuity on a regular basis to take care of your monthly expenses.

Before investing in any financial instrument, it is important to look at ones own risk appetite. As planning for a comfortable retirement is an unavoidable goal, one should choose their investment for the same with adequate diversification among different financial instruments. Misra adds, The guarantee element associated with pension plans offered by life insurance companies makes it a must-have in ones overall investment portfolio for retirement planning.

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Here is why getting regular income post-retirement is important - The Financial Express

Lala Kent has seen evidence of her ex-fianc, Randall Emmett, being unfaithful to her throughout their courtship, she told Page Six in an exclusive new interview.

I know that he had sent messages that said he never [was], but theres proof elsewhere, the Vanderpump Rules star, 31, said of the movie producer, whom she split from in October after he allegedly cheated on her in Nashville.

Bottom line is, I feel like I was in a relationship that was based on nothing but lies.

Kent who shares daughter Ocean, 9 months, with Emmett continued, We had such little communication during the time that those photos surfaced to the time that I moved out. I say I did what I needed to do to remove myself from that home with my baby in tow.

The TV personality noted that she feels indebted to the women spotted with Emmett, 50, in Music City this fall, as they played a part in unveiling a man she could no longer picture a future with.

I will forever be grateful to those two girls walking across the street with him because they saved me, she said. Those two girls, I wish I knew who they were, because I would start sobbing and tell them, You saved me. Thank you so much!

She added, I got that feeling in my gut that I talk about in my book [Give Them Lala]. And thats when I knew, Im leaving this relationship.

After calling off their three-year engagement, the Bravolebrity immediately escaped Emmetts Bel Air mansion and checked into the Beverly Hills Hotel with their baby girl. She has since secured a place of her own and even launched bRand new merch, inspired by hermodified tattoo of Emmetts name and, more notably, her newfound sense of freedom as a single woman.

It feels amazing, she said of navigating life and continuing to build her Give Them Lala Beauty brand without Emmett by her side.

I met him when I was just venturing into Vanderpump Rules, and during our time together, I really created something amazing for myself, she recalled. Now Im out here on my own, completely independent from anybody. The only way to describe it is I feel free and liberated and the strongest Ive ever felt in my life.

Kent told Page Six that she finds strength by caring for Ocean, speaking to a therapist here and there and believing in a higher power.

Ive never really been one to talk about my faith, but because Im relying on it so much right now, I find it important to talk about. I feel very mentally strong, the Salt Lake City, Utah, native explained.

I dont want to question it because it doesnt matter why I feel this way. I just want to relish in the fact that Im here, functioning and in my clear state of mind.

This tremendous clarity, she told us, has galvanized her to share details of her breakup with Emmett on her Give Them Lala podcast and speak with authority on such topics as infidelity and financial independence in an effort to help other women.

Im extremely passionate about women and their safety and their mental health and them being mothers, she said. Theres just something about it where Im feeling the need to talk about it. Im being pulled in that direction right now.

Kent hopes to establish an even deeper connection with her supporters this spring when she heads out on the road for Give Them Lala Live: The Brand New Tour.

I want guests who come up on stage and share their stories. I want my people to leave feeling like they can take on the world like nothing can break them after this night. Thats the goal, she said.

We are all so much stronger than we could ever imagine. Thats what Ive learned.

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Lala Kent says there is 'proof' of Randall Emmett cheating - Page Six

Emerging fintech firm SoFi Technologies (NASDAQ:SOFI) is consolidating at the $15 a share level. After breaking out in October, only to peak at over $20 in November, SOFI stock is near $15 again. The Federal Reserves rate heightening policy spooked fintech investors. A sell-off in mega-cap electronic payment processing firms did not help matters, either.

Source: rafapress / Shutterstock.com

SoFi is a no-frills, no-fee, one-stop-shop. The online banking firm has a few headwinds to overcome, first.

What are SoFis prospects like in light of recent developments?

Square (NYSE:SQ), now known as Block, shook investor confidence when the stock broke down below key support levels in November. Growth investors reduced their holdings, worried that the stock would correct further on unfavorable valuations. Markets hinted it wanted more growth from PayPal (NASDAQ:PYPL). Rumors circulated that PayPal would buy Pinterest (NYSE:PINS), a growing social networking site, to spur growth.

Pinterest is not a cheap company to buy. PayPal would need to pay a premium to get it. Market sentiment for this credit services firm is worsening. Although its price-to-earnings is around 45 times, its growth is slowing. SoFi is in the early phases of growing its financial offerings. It does not have anywhere near the customer base nor the expertise of Square or PayPal.

SoftBank (OTCMKTS:SFTBY) sold 22.5 million shares for $486 million recently. The sale at $21.60 on Nov. 18 could prove well-timed. SPAC entrepreneur Chamath Palihapitiya also cut his take by 15% the week before the SoftBank sale.

SoftBanks dramatic selling should worry SoFi investors. In the prior period, it did not sell any shares. Insiders typically know more than the average retail investor.

However, bullish investors may look at insider selling as a positive development. To get a bank charter license, shareholders with more than a 10% position have more paperwork. They have more regulatory and disclosure requirements to meet. At a macroeconomic level, Softbank and Palihapitiya may anticipate the Feds rate tightening cycle will hurt fintech firms more than traditional financial companies.

SOFI stock is in a downtrendChart courtesy of Stock Rover

SoFi is launching several products, including credit cards. Each product release will need advertising support. It will also need to hire more staff to increase customer support levels. In the early phases of growth, those costs will grow faster than revenue and earnings. Shareholders are expecting losses to mount in the short term.

In the adjacent chart, SOFI shares crossed below key supporting moving averages. The moving average convergence divergence is crossing over. This is a bullish signal.

The chart does not predict a rebound but is a useful guide in monitoring where it may head to next.

As SoFis business reaches economies of scale, investments in technology will pay off. Operating margins will expand. Those who bought the stock at low prices should benefit from the stock rising in value. Still, the Feds rate tightening cycle helps traditional banks more. The interest rate spread will widen. This will increase interest income for banks holding billions in bank deposits.

SoFis assets under management are relatively small compared to the banks. Investors are compelled to sell SOFI stock and buy Citigroup (NYSE:C) or Bank of America (NYSE:BAC). Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) and J.P. Morgan (NYSE:JPM) are also attractive alternatives. Their profits will grow from stronger corporate customer activities.

SoFi wants to differentiate itself from the above-mentioned banks. It wants to help its customers achieve financial independence. That is what happens when they borrow, save, invest, and spend better.

CEO Anthony Noto said that SoFi offers many loan products. For example, it has a Money account that acts as a checking/savings account in one. Members may sign up for SoFi Credit Card. They may have SoFi invest to buy into four different asset classes. The Relay product is SoFis unique tool that is a top-of-the-funnel product. It will learn more about its customer, enabling SoFi to recommend a suitable product.

Relay gives SoFi a competitive edge. It personalizes the customer experience. When it recommends a product that customers buy, it adds to its revenue growth.

SoFi offers convenience. Members will sign up for many products. After the company earns its trust and reliability from each offering, customers will do more business, maybe for their lifetime, with SoFi.

SoFi needs to work through a product development backlog in 2022. Its teams are building faster-performing products for customers. Yet the firm has more service offerings ahead. In investing, it needs to get customers on options and margins. In the cryptocurrency space, SoFi needs to offer different types of cryptocurrencies.

SoFi needs to watch out for overspending on advertising. SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, will pay off after the NFL season started. Should customer growth slow, it will need to adjust spending levels.

Insider sales pressured SoFi in recent months. This could scare retail investors from buying more at current levels. Fortunately, its business is thriving. Expect strong customer growth in the quarters ahead. This will attract more buyers in SOFI stock to buy into the recent dip.

On the date of publication, Chris Lau did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.

Chris Lau is a contributing author for InvestorPlace.com and numerous other financial sites. Chris has over 20 years of investing experience in the stock market and runs the Do-It-Yourself Value Investing Marketplace on Seeking Alpha. He shares his stock picks so readers get original insight that helps improve investment returns.

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Here's What's Behind the Strong Selling Pressure on SoFi Stock - InvestorPlace

Alerzo Limited, Nigerias leading B2B e-commerce platform has donated an undisclosed amount of money to burn survivors through the Sebastine Foundation For Burn Survivors. The donation was announced at the official launch of the foundation which took place in Lagos recently.

Speaking on the donation, the chief executive officer of Alerzo Limited, Adewale Opaleye said the company supported the foundation as an avenue to give back to the society by helping victims of societal hazards regain their sense of belonging and become productive citizens.

As a business that is fully involved in daily activities of small enterprises, we know what it means for people to make a living for themselves. For those who have challenges like burn survivors, it becomes more difficult for them to overcome the mental difficulties and become productive again.

So this gesture is to help them get back on their feet financially, be able to put themselves to productive ventures and ultimately move on in life. We hope that this will help them in their quest for full recovery and propel them to financial independence, he said.

Sebastine Foundation for Burn Victims was created by Sebastine Enechi who is also the chief executive officer of Shago Limited, a payment platform acquired by Alerzo earlier in the year with the aim of helping burn survivors feel comfortable in their skin and ultimately improve their lives to be an integral part of the society.

The Foundation is aimed at helping burn survivors like me fit back into society, to help them look beyond their looks and scars and believe that they can do more regardless of the conditions they find themselves in. We plan to support them physically, morally, financially, provide medical diagnosis, treatment, post-treatment support, scholarship, we want to encourage them to keep seeing the brighter part of life, Enechi added.

Part of the ongoing plan, according to Sebastine, is to collaborate with government organizations, hospitals like burn centres, the Red Cross, Fire Service Commission, private organizations and the general public.

With collaborators on board, Sebastine claimed that the foundation will be able to work out programmes that will help uplift the life of burn survivors while reaching out to the victims in burn centres across Nigeria.

The foundation presented a five hundred thousand naira (500,000) educational scholarship to two victims during the launch ceremony, and another five hundred thousand naira each (500,000) to support one victim in the Burns and Plastic Center, Igbobi, Lagos. The beneficiaries, among others, included Ms. Oyebola Oyeduntan, Michael Sam Odinnakachukwu, and National Orthopaedic Hospital, Igbobi.

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Alerzo Supports Burn Survivors Foundation With Cash Donations - THISDAY Newspapers

Meghan Markle and Prince Harrys journey to financial independence has been a roller coaster ride.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex managed to stir global headlines throughout 2021 as they settled into their new lives in California. From their bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey that was viewed by nearly 50 million people worldwide, to the arrival of their daughter, Lilibet, the couple faced plenty of ups and downs in the spotlight. Its safe to say that everyone including the royal family wondered, "whats next?"

As the year comes to an end, here are 15 ways the former American actress, 40, and the British prince, 37, made jaws drop in 2021:

THE BIGGEST CELEBRITY SCANDALS OF 2021

In February, Buckingham Palace confirmed that Markle and Harry wouldnt be returning as working members of the British royal family. "Following conversations with The Duke, The Queen has written confirming that in stepping away from the work of The Royal Family it is not possible to continue with the responsibilities and duties that come with a life of public service," the statement read. "While all are saddened by their decision, The Duke and Duchess remain much loved members of the family."

Prince Harry got candid with his pal James Corden. Terence Patrick/CBS via Getty Images

During a February appearance on "The Late Late Show," Harry told James Corden that he thinks the hit Netflix series is truer than some of the news stories that have been written about him and his wife. "They dont pretend to be news," Harry explained. "Its fiction. But its loosely based on the truth. Of course, its not strictly accurateI'm way more comfortable with The Crown than I am seeing the stories written about my family, or my wife, or myself. That is obviously fiction take it how you will. But this is being reported on as a fact because youre supposedly news."

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Meghen Markle's team strongly denied the allegations. Photo by NDZ/Star Max/GC Images

Just days before the Duke and Duchess of Sussexs sit-down with Winfrey, The Times alleged that Markle faced a bullying complaint made by one of her close advisers. However, Markles team strongly refuted the claims. "The Duchess is saddened by this latest attack on her character, particularly as someone who has been the target of bullying herself and is deeply committed to supporting those who have experienced pain and trauma," a spokesperson for the couple said in a statement sent to Fox News. "She is determined to continue her work building compassion around the world and will keep striving to set an example for doing what is right and doing what is good."

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During the couple's televised sit-down in March, Harry told the media mogul he felt trapped by royal life and was surprised that he was cut off financially and lost his security. Harry also said he felt his family didnt support Markle, who acknowledged her navet about royal life as she endured tabloid attacks. Markle, who is biracial, described how when she was pregnant with her son, Archie, there were "concerns and conversations about how dark his skin might be when hes born." The Duchess also described the intense isolation she felt inside the palace that led her to contemplate suicide. Following the interview, Buckingham Palace said the allegations of racism were "concerning" and would be addressed privately.

Prince Harry and Oprah Winfrey teamed up to launch the mental health docuseries. AP/Getty

In May, Harry teamed up with Winfrey to launch "The Me You Cant See," a mental health series on Apple TV+. In it, Harry described what his father, Prince Charles, used to tell him as he struggled emotionally. "He used to say to both William and I, 'Well, it was like that for me, so its gonna be like that for you,'" said Harry. "That doesnt make sense. Just because you suffered, that doesnt mean that your kids have to suffer. In fact quite the opposite, if youve suffered, do whatever you can to make sure that whatever experiences, negative experiences you had, that you can make it right for your kids."

Meghan Markle welcomed a baby girl in June. Photo by Getty

In June, the couple welcomed their second child, a daughter named Lilibet "Lili" Diana Mountbatten-Windsor. The name pays tribute to both Harrys grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, whose family nickname is Lilibet, and his late mother, Princess Diana. The baby is "more than we could have ever imagined, and we remain grateful for the love and prayers weve felt from across the globe," the couple revealed.

PRINCE CHARLES WAS THE ROYAL WHO ASKED ABOUT COMPLEXION OF MEGHAN MARKLE, PRINCE HARRY'S FIRSTBORN, BOOK SAYS

Random House Childrens Books announced that Meghan Markle was releasing her first childrens book titled "The Bench," which is inspired by the relationship between her husband Prince Harry and their son, Archie. AP/Getty

In June, the Duchess wrote her first childrens book titled "The Bench." The picture story aims to celebrate the bond between Harry and Archie, as well as fathers and sons in general. Markle said the book began as a Fathers Day poem written a month after Archies birth, in 2019.

Prince William and Prince Harry at Princess Diana's statue unveiling. Getty Images

In July, Harry and his older brother, Prince William, reunited in the U.K. to unveil a statue of their late mother on what would have been her 60th birthday. It was the second time the brothers appeared together in public since Harry stepped aside from royal duties. The first was when their grandfather, Prince Philip, died in April at age 99. Royal watchers were hoping the meeting would lead to a reconciliation. During his interview with Winfrey in March, Harry confirmed rumors that he and William had been growing apart, describing their relationship as "space at the moment." Despite their differences, one thing was clear Dianas memory is something that continues to unite the princes.

PRINCE HARRY FELT HE WAS BEING ERASED FROM THE FAMILY AFTER QUEEN ELIZABETHS PHOTO SNUB, BOOK CLAIMS

Prince Harry will be releasing a memoir in 2022. Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Global Citizen VAX LIVE

In July, Random House announced Harry is writing "an intimate and heartfelt memoir" that is expected to be released in late 2022. "Im writing this not as the prince I was born but as the man I have become," said Harry. "Ive worn many hats over the years, both literally and figuratively, and my hope is that in telling my story the highs and lows, the mistakes, the lessons learned I can help show that no matter where we come from, we have more in common than we think. Im deeply grateful for the opportunity to share what Ive learned over the course of my life so far and excited for people to read a firsthand account of my life thats accurate and wholly truthful."

In September, the couple landed a coveted spot on Time magazines 100 Most Influential People list. "They turn compassion into boots on the ground through their Archewell Foundation," chef Jos Andrs wrote in a short essay about the pair. "They give voice to the voiceless through media production. Hand in hand with nonprofit partners, they take risks to help communities in need offering mental-health support to Black women and girls in the US and feeding those affected by natural disasters in India and the Caribbean."

PRINCE HARRY SLAMMED PRINCE WILLIAM FOR QUESTIONING HIS MEGHAN MARKLE ROMANCE FOR THIS REASON, BOOK CLAIMS

In September, the couple paid New York City a royal visit, marking their first major joint public outing since becoming parents. During their visit, the duke and duchess met with New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Bill de Blasio. It was revealed that the pair were making an appearance at the Global Citizen Live, which was broadcast live from Central Park. During their appearance, they advocated for vaccine equity. Harry and Markle also paid a visit to a Harlem elementary school as well as Melbas Restaurant.

In November, Politico reported that Markle personally reached out to members of Congress to campaign for paid family leave. The news came weeks after she wrote an open letter to Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D.-Calif., and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D.-N.Y., published by Paid Leave for All. According to the outlet, it was Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D.-N.Y., who gave the phone numbers to the former American actress. The 54-year-old has pushed her party to include paid leave in its social spending bill.

PRINCE WILLIAM WAS WARY ABOUT PRINCE HARRY SLAMMING THE PRESS ABOUT MEGHAN MARKLE FOR THIS REASON: BOOK

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex made a grand entrance at the Salute to Freedom Gala. Theo Wargo/Getty Images for Intrepid Sea, Air, & Space Museum

The couple honored veterans at the 2021 Salute to Freedom Gala at New York Citys Intrepid Museum ahead of Veterans Day in the U.S. and Remembrance Day in the U.K. During his appearance, Harry discussed the isolation service members, stressing the importance of supporting our veterans. Harry served a decade in the British army and two tours in Afghanistan. "My experience in the military made me who I am today, and I will always be grateful for the people I got to serve with wherever in the world we are," said Harry.

In November, Markle appeared on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" and pranked vendors at the studio lot. The Duchess mewed in cat ears, devoured hot sauce on crackers like a chipmunk and held a huge crystal to her face all after a pretend assistant told the trio of sellers to treat her just like everybody else. Later, the two women welcomed Brittany Starks, a Tennessee mother and hairdresser who gave back after being helped herself through hard times by braiding the hair of schoolchildren for free. Since then, she has started a charity, A Twist of Greatness. The show and philanthropy partner TisBest donated $20,000 to her cause. Markle and Harry matched it with another $20,000.

MEGHAN MARKLE ON 'ELLEN': DUCHESS DRINKS A BABY BOTTLE, CHANTS AND SQUATS IN PRANK VIDEO

Meghan Markle issued a call to "reshape a tabloid industry." Photo by Toby Melville - WPA Pool/Getty Images

In December, Markle won the latest stage in her privacy lawsuit against a British newspaper, when three senior judges ruled its publisher breached her privacy by reproducing parts of a letter she wrote to her estranged father. She noted that the Court of Appeal ruling was a victory of "right versus wrong." She also issued a call to "reshape a tabloid industry" that has long been the bane of both celebrities and British royals. Losing claimant Associated Newspapers said it was considering an appeal to the U.K. Supreme Court.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: 15 Ways the Duke and Duchess of Sussex made headlines in 2021 - Yahoo News

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / December 31, 2021 / Focus Financial Partners Inc. (NASDAQ:FOCS) ("Focus"), a leading partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms, announced today that Provident Financial Management ("Provident"), a multi-family office and business management firm with offices in Santa Monica, Woodland Hills and San Francisco, CA, as well as in Nashville, TN, and London & Co., LLP ("London"), a tax, accounting and business management practice based in Los Angeles, CA have entered into definitive agreements to join the Focus partnership as a new Focus partner firm, which will be called Provident Financial Management. These transactions are expected to close simultaneously this year, subject to customary closing conditions.

Founded in 1982 by Barry Siegel and Bill Vuylsteke, Provident offers comprehensive, concierge family office and business management services to a diverse client base, including musicians, entertainers, actors and high net worth individuals. London, which is led by Philip London and Scott Adair, provides a full range of accountancy services including tax and tour accounting, as well as business management services to an array of entertainer and non-entertainer clients and businesses. London's service offerings will complement and enhance those of Provident, while further diversifying Provident's client base. Joining with Provident will provide continuity for London's team and clients.

The combined firm will be led by Barry, Bill, Philip and Scott, together with a group of managing directors from Provident including Ivan Axelrod, Pamula Johnson Solar, Bo Gardner, Jeffrey Turner, Joni Soekotjo, Dawn Nepp, Lisa Ferguson, Shelley Venemann, Larry Eibund, Barbara Karol, and Debra ("Debbie") Dez.

"Our main goals in finding a strategic partner were to ensure the continuity of our well-established brand, while also gaining access to additional resources to help us better serve our clients and grow our business," said Barry Siegel, Partner of Provident. "Focus' deep understanding of the multi-family office and business management space made them a clear choice," added Bill Vuylsteke, Partner of Provident. "We also greatly valued Focus' M&A expertise in helping us identify a firm of London's caliber."

"Scott and I are very pleased to be joining forces with Barry, Bill and the entire Provident team," said Philip London, Co-Managing Member of London. "We are confident that our clients will benefit from our ability to leverage Provident's platform and to promote continuity of client service."

"We are excited to welcome Provident and London to Focus together as a new partner firm. The Provident and London teams exemplify the dynamic, entrepreneurial mind-set we look for in partners," said Rudy Adolf, Founder, CEO and Chairman of Focus. "As we have watched these firms build their businesses through the years, their well-established client relationships and focus on exceptional levels of service are clear differentiators. The combined Provident and London firm further expands our presence in the multi-family office and business management sector, while adding complementary expertise to the Focus partnership. These transactions are also an example of our ability to think creatively and identify opportunities for firms even before they join us, positioning them to grow and better serve their clients.

We are concluding a record year of M&A activity, underscoring the attractiveness of our value proposition and the scale benefits we offer our partner firms globally. In 2021, we added 14 new partners and 24 mergers, including 8 mergers for Connectus, for a total of 38 transactions. We are entering 2022 with excellent momentum and are very excited about the future growth prospects of our business."

About Focus Financial Partners Inc.

Focus Financial Partners Inc. is a leading partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms. Focus provides access to best practices, resources, and continuity planning for its partner firms who serve individuals, families, employers and institutions with comprehensive wealth management services. Focus partner firms maintain their operational independence, while they benefit from the synergies, scale, economics and best practices offered by Focus to achieve their business objectives. For more information about Focus, please visit http://www.focusfinancialpartners.com.

About Provident Financial Management

Provident Financial Management is a preeminent business management firm with a well-established brand and has a strong presence in key markets with three offices in California and an office in Nashville, TN. The firm provides concierge family office services including business management, comprehensive tax planning and tour accounting to musicians, entertainers, actors and high net worth individuals. For more information about Provident, please visit http://www.providentfm.com/.

About London & Co., LLP

London & Co., LLP is a premier business management and family office firm that provides a full range of business management and accountancy services including tax and tour accounting. The firm provides services to entertainers, recording artists, producers, business owners, record labels and a variety of businesses. For more information about London, please visit http://www.londonco.com/.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect Focus' current views with respect to certain current and future events. These forward-looking statements are and will be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to Focus' operations and business environment, including, without limitation, uncertainty surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic, which may cause future events to be materially different from these forward-looking statements or anything implied therein. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Focus on the date of this release. Focus does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any statements expressed or implied therein will not be realized. Additional information on risk factors that could affect Focus may be found in Focus' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Investor and Media Contacts

Tina MadonSenior Vice PresidentHead of Investor Relations & Corporate CommunicationsFocus Financial PartnersP: +1-646-813-2909tmadon@focuspartners.com

Charlie ArestiaVice PresidentInvestor Relations & Corporate CommunicationsFocus Financial PartnersP: +1-646-560-3999carestia@focuspartners.com

SOURCE: Focus Financial Partners Inc.

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Provident Financial Management and London & Co., both Multi-Family Office and Business Management Firms, - Benzinga

Does the upcoming new year have you rethinking your life and priorities? If so, you're not the only one.

The pandemic has caused many individuals to make decisions about their values and often analyze and change their values. Roughly two million more people unexpectedly retired during the pandemic, according to the New School's Schwartz Center for Economic Policy Analysis.

Choosing to retire when you're closer to 60 may require you to make a completely different set of actions compared to what you'll have to do by age 40. Let's take a look at how you may approach retiring by 40. Taking action now is important because you have a smaller time frame on your hands, whether you're 30 or 35 at this point.

What is FIRE? It stands for Financial Independence, Retire Early, and it means achieving financial independence so you can achieve the right retirement for you. The Trinity Study initially suggested the 4% rule, which stated that if you withdraw 4% of your initial portfolio every year in retirement, you can sustain your retirement lifestyle and adjust for inflation every year thereafter. You may need to consider withdrawing less to last up to 50 years consider withdrawing 3% of your portfolio value. It can help you conserve the money in your accounts.

However, people have become FIRE doesn't refer to one set of circumstances that fit everyone's needs.

Which option works best for you? You can see that some, like Boat FIRE, don't necessarily allow you to quit working for the rest of your life. Some may not seem like "true retirement" to you, but it's important to identify whether you really want to quit working for the next 20 years or not.

This could be the most profitable event in crypto history. And it only happens once. If you miss it, there are no second chances.

If you want to truly retire, you'll need to save 50% or more of your income. How much will you need to save to support yourself to live throughout old age? Consider that you also won't have access to Social Security or Medicare in the early years of your retirement, which means that you need to consider how you'll provide yourself with health insurance or supplement your income.

Spend some serious time considering how much money you'll need in retirement, also called your FIRE goal. You can use a calculator to determine your FIRE age, and run different scenarios through a calculator. You may learn that you need to submit more money to your investment and retirement accounts or adjust your FIRE age.

What retirement vehicles make the most sense for you? It's a great idea to invest in a 401(k) to get the employer match. However, note that you cannot access certain investments until age 59 .

Employees can contribute up to $20,500 to a 401(k) in 2022. Those 50 or older can add in an additional $6,500 catch-up contribution. It's a great idea to max out your retirement even though you may not be able to access the money without paying penalties by age 59 .

According to Vanguard research, almost 90% of your investment portfolios performance is the result of your asset allocation. Vanguard recommends investing about 40% of your stock allocation in international stocks and about 30% of your bond allocation in international bonds for FIRE retirees.

When you spend money on investment fees, this means that those dollars don't go into your pocket when you retire.

For example, let's say you invest in mutual funds that have an expense ratio of 2% to manage your money, that leaves you with only 2% to spend in retirement if you stick to the 4% withdrawal rule. It's a good idea to keep your expense ratios at 0.1% or lower.

If working for 45 years doesn't appeal to you, you may want to consider FIRE. Note that the traditional view of FIRE (of living on basically nothing) is no longer the only option. These days, FIRE can mean just about anything you want it to. You can choose from various lifestyle choices instead.

If you want to take a half-and-half approach (half work, half play) you can make that work under FIRE anything is possible!

E-commerce is being identified as a prime contributor to our current supply chain difficulties. Flush with cash during the pandemic, many Americans took to shopping online as part of their new normal. Demand quickly outpaced supply, particularly as many factories were dealing with labor shortages due to Covid-19 restrictions.

While that may oversimplify the problem with the global supply chain, theres little doubt that e-commerce transactions have made an impact. In fact, e-commerce was one of the fastest-growing segments of the economy prior to the Covid-19 pandemic. Its part of the continuing digitization of the economy. And that makes it a segment that investors cant afford to ignore.

Just how much of an impact does e-commerce make? In 2020 alone, there were 454 billion transactions worldwide totaling $4.2 trillion in sales. But that only tells part of the story. As big as that number is, it makes up less than 20% (17.8%) of all retail sales worldwide. A large number of those transactions go through Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN).

However, if you missed out on buying Amazon when it was still just an online bookseller, you may find a share price of over $3,000 per share a little tough to swallow. Thats why weve put together this special presentation. Weve identified seven companies that are likely to perform well despite the current supply chain crisis and have business models that will be sustainable even when supply and demand get back into balance.

View the "7 E-Commerce Stocks That Arent Tangled in the Supply Chain".

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Want to Retire by 40? Take a Look at These 4 Tips - MarketBeat

The blockchain market has experienced a meteoric rise in the past 24 months and is valued at more than $2 trillion. Yet, for an industry that prides itself in developing innovative solutions for the greater good, philanthropy is often not prioritized by many blockchain projects.

Many people have put in their resources and efforts towards achieving financial independence, and there remains a downward trend towards funding charitable giving. However, regardless of peoples motivation for giving, theres a massive opportunity for charitable efforts to thrive in crypto.

Blockchain technologys transparent and decentralized nature means that funds dedicated to charity can be monitored in contrast to the traditional corporate social responsibility system. Therefore blockchain projects must contribute their quota towards charity projects and donations.

One of the blockchain projects that has introduced charity programs is the gaming metaverse Polker. Polker recently

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Polker launches community-based charity fund in hope other projects will follow lead. By CoinQuora - Investing.com

Everybody wants financial freedom. Financial independence happens with the right focus and commitment. Financial independence is a life of no debt and the ability to spend on anything you want. While one feels exuberant to be able to live life on his/her terms, there is also a feeling of unsurety on the way ahead. Should one leave the job or continue working is the biggest dilemma that people face.

Take the case of Aarav (45), who has accumulated wealth from exiting Esops (employee stock ownership plan). He decided to quit his job to spend more time with his family. Within a couple of months, he started questioning his decision. His wife and kids had their own schedules and while they did get some quality time together, Aarav felt restless with his life. His friends and colleagues were too busy with work and people actually mocked him for doing nothing. Extended family members even branded him as a house husband. All this took a toll on Aarav and he desperately started looking for a job. Life after achieving financial freedom did not turn out to be a good experience for Aarav.

Through the working years, one has a goal to reach financial freedom but after achieving that goal, what next? How can you use your money to build a better life? That is the question that needs to be delved upon. The best way is to evaluate what you can do better in life and at the same time be mentally engaged. At each stage of life, new goals need to be created. The same applies for life after financial independence.

In Aaravs case, I advised him to start by listing down the things he wants to do to make his life betterhobbies, get fitter, reading etc. Remember, you have the money and time, you need to give yourself direction and take the first step.

Next, think about how you would like to spend your time. Are hobbies enough or would you like to do something more stimulating? Would you prefer to get back to work or can figure out something to keep yourself busy?

It is always going to be a tussle between what gives satisfaction versus what passes your time. I recently met two relatives at a wedding who have chosen different paths. One has bought a farmland and spends mornings at the farm and the balance time in hobbies. The other gentleman has taken up a job and is working as hard as ever. Both are financially independent and happy with their decision.

The key is to set your goal and remain focused. In Aaravs case, he decided to use his money to build something new that can improve other peoples lives instead of getting back to a full-time job. He felt this would be meaningful and he could work on his own terms. The concept of living life on your terms and doing what suits you is still very alien in India. People around revere job titles in well-known firms and even though startups are in vogue, unless your firm is in the media, friends, family and former collogues tend to deride your work. Do not let this upset you. Aarav told me that he often feels like a nobody even after having an illustrious career and now working on something that is so useful to people. Keep reminding yourself that it is your life that you are improving and thats what matters.

There will be times when things dont work out and hence it is good to have a couple of other ideas. The gentleman who went back to a full-time job had tried consultancy work and teaching a technical course at a college, but did not feel respected by the people he was working with. Remember, in life after financial independence, you have the ability to walk away if what you are experiencing doesnt resonate with your values.

Life will not always work out perfectly, but having core pursuits and a purpose that drives you daily, in the good and bad times, will improve your happiness and well-being in life after financial independence. Have you thought whats yours? As we end 2021, think about it when you take stock of your financial life.

Mrin Agarwal is financial educator and founder of Finsafe India.

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Heres how you can navigate your life after achieving financial freedom - Mint

The idea behind FIRE, or Financial Independence Retire Early, is to try to save as much money as you can now and retire at an early age.

NORFOLK, Va. How does retiring early and being financially independent sound? Well, it's happening for many millennials who are a part of the FIRE movement.

Like many of us, Vincent Montoro was taught the importance of saving money.

"From a very early age my dad said, hey save as much as you can early on," he said.

Now, that way of life is becoming increasingly popular among millennials.

"My goal is to be able to retire probably in my 40s but actually stop working in my mid-50s."

That movement is known as FIRE.

FIRE stands for Financial Independence Retire Early. Basically, FIRE investors, like Montoro, are trying to save as much money as they can now and retire at an early age.

"What stuck in my mind was millionaire by 40," says Montoro.

Dr. Andrew Cohen, a finance lecturer at Old Dominion University, says the FIRE movement first popped up in a book in the early 90s. Then gained popularity as more people got online.

"The pandemic kind of further accelerated the movement by people enjoying having the freedom to do what they want and not be stuck in an office from 9 to 5," said Cohen.

He says the theory is to try to save 50% to 70% of your income.

"People realize, you know, whats the point of working so hard all your life to then wait until you get really old when you dont have the energy to enjoy your money and wealth."

34-year-old Montoro has worked with ships for most of his career. He says he loves what he does, but that doesnt mean hes not working towards retirement now.

"Im saving as much as I can, as early as I can, to be financially free before the average age of retirement, 62, 67," he said. "My plan for me is I want to retire and enjoy life way before that."

He says if you have the means to start saving, its simple.

"All you need is time and a plan."

Cohen says its all about being smart with your money and investing.

"When you work, its important to put as much money as you can in your 401K, in your retirement savings," he said. "You want to save aggressively. You need to cut down your expenses and be frugal."

Cohen says a big part of it is living a simpler life.

"Not to be extravagant, so a lot of it depends on your personality."

Montoro says hes on the right track with half a million dollars in his retirement fund already.

"I like to splurge too, dont get me wrong. I like my pumpkin spice lattes, I love my Starbucks," he said. "I think there has to be a balance where you can enjoy that, but also see where your money is going."

Of course, being able to save a lot of money is not a reality for everyone, but Cohen says setting yourself up for success is still an option.

"As soon as possible start saving, putting it in a retirement fund, whatever you can afford. Obviously, take care of your needs. Make sure you have enough money to pay your rent and get your food."

Both Cohen and Montoro say having that financial independence is freeing.

"So, if you start in your early 20s, by the time youre in mid-late 30s, 40s, that will have doubled and doubled again," Cohen advised.

"If youre just patient, stay the course, adjust your lifestyle to that to the mentality of saving every penny that you can at that moment, I think that will definitely be better for the long run," said Montoro.

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'Millionaire by 40' | Why more millennials are joining the FIRE movement - 13newsnow.com WVEC