Cash strategies are as unique as each individual—there is no “one size fits all.” If you find yourself in a situation where you have excess cash on hand as the result of a bonus, inheritance, windfall, or investment transaction, a cash flow plan will be helpful in implementing your overall investment strategy.
FUND AN EMERGENCY ACCOUNT
The first step in creating or updating a cash flow plan is to review your monthly budget. It’s important to set aside four to six months of living expenses in a separate emergency account (do not combine these funds with existing checking, savings, certificates of deposit (CDs), and money market assets).
Deposit enough cash in the emergency account to cover your day-to-day expenses such as food, clothing, medical, and transportation. Put in adequate funds to cover regular monthly payments such as your mortgage and utilities. Also, you might want to have ample cash in the account to cover deductibles for insurance—car, health, and homeowners—should you need to file a claim.
Keep in mind the amount of cash in the emergency account should be tailored to your needs—and your family’s—based on your lifestyle. For example, a cash flow plan would be quite different for a retired couple with limited expenses, a single salesperson on commission, and a married couple with children still living in their home.
KEEP YOUR OVERALL WEALTH STRATEGY INTACT
Investors should consider keeping their emergency fund cash separate from the cash kept in their portfolio to take advantage of new investment opportunities without having to sell existing investments and potentially create a taxable event.*
Without proper planning for an emergency situation, you might have to gather all your available cash or liquidate a long-term investment, which could disrupt your existing investment plan. For example, if you take a non-qualified distribution from your retirement account prior to retirement, those assets could be subject to tax penalties. It might be better to keep your overall wealth strategy intact by keeping those assets invested to potentially generate a long-term return.
ESTABLISH A LINE OF CREDIT
One way to access cash and take advantage of today’s lower interest rates is to establish a line of credit that can be utilized as needed for large or unplanned purchases. Borrowing against the equity in your home or non-retirement investments can provide for short-term cash needs if your emergency fund doesn’t stretch to meet your expenses.
Many consumers are familiar with home equity lines of credit and credit cards, but investors often have an additional option—borrowing against their securities portfolio. With securities-based lending, you retain ownership of your investment while borrowing against the value of it, similar to a home equity line of credit.
Securities-based lending can be a great source of funding for a short-term loan, such as a bridge loan, for example, if you need to buy a new home prior to selling your current one. This is a common borrowing strategy among investors because it provides flexibility, a sense of control, and preserves emergency cash.
CASH-OUT MORTGAGE REFINANCE
If you’re able to refinance your home at a lower rate, that’s generally a prudent strategy to either reduce your monthly payment or pull out equity currently in your home to fund an emergency account or other investment objective. However, be aware of the overall costs and make sure it supports your long-term goals. For instance, if you are planning to sell your home and move in the near future, reducing your mortgage rate by 0.5% and paying closing costs may not reap the long-term savings you envisioned.
PAY OFF DEBT OR INVEST
Paying off debt vs. investing excess cash is a personal choice based on your unique situation. If you’re debt averse, it may give you peace of mind to reduce debt even when your finances could benefit more from investing the cash. However, if you can earn more by investing the money than you would pay in interest on the debt, it’s better to invest. Likewise, if the interest on your debt is more than you would earn through investing, you should consider paying off the debt.
FINANCE OR PAY CASH
The old adage that “cash is king” may not hold true in a low interest rate environment. If you’re able to invest your cash and earn 8% while borrowing for a car or home loan at a lower percentage rate, it’s more advantageous to borrow for the purchase and invest the cash, earning a higher interest rate. Even a small difference between borrowing rates and interest on earnings can benefit your portfolio.
These considerations are just a few of the many ways to maximize and manage your excess cash within a cash flow plan. Contact Commerce Trust today. Together we can explore a variety of options for cash management solutions and help you make educated decisions based on your goals and unique financial situation.
*Consult your tax advisor
The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of October 20, 2020. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.
FUND AN EMERGENCY ACCOUNT
The first step in creating or updating a cash flow plan is to review your monthly budget. It’s important to set aside four to six months of living expenses in a separate emergency account (do not combine these funds with existing checking, savings, certificates of deposit (CDs), and money market assets).
Deposit enough cash in the emergency account to cover your day-to-day expenses such as food, clothing, medical, and transportation. Put in adequate funds to cover regular monthly payments such as your mortgage and utilities. Also, you might want to have ample cash in the account to cover deductibles for insurance—car, health, and homeowners—should you need to file a claim.
Keep in mind the amount of cash in the emergency account should be tailored to your needs—and your family’s—based on your lifestyle. For example, a cash flow plan would be quite different for a retired couple with limited expenses, a single salesperson on commission, and a married couple with children still living in their home.
KEEP YOUR OVERALL WEALTH STRATEGY INTACT
Investors should consider keeping their emergency fund cash separate from the cash kept in their portfolio to take advantage of new investment opportunities without having to sell existing investments and potentially create a taxable event.*
Without proper planning for an emergency situation, you might have to gather all your available cash or liquidate a long-term investment, which could disrupt your existing investment plan. For example, if you take a non-qualified distribution from your retirement account prior to retirement, those assets could be subject to tax penalties. It might be better to keep your overall wealth strategy intact by keeping those assets invested to potentially generate a long-term return.
ESTABLISH A LINE OF CREDIT
One way to access cash and take advantage of today’s lower interest rates is to establish a line of credit that can be utilized as needed for large or unplanned purchases. Borrowing against the equity in your home or non-retirement investments can provide for short-term cash needs if your emergency fund doesn’t stretch to meet your expenses.
Many consumers are familiar with home equity lines of credit and credit cards, but investors often have an additional option—borrowing against their securities portfolio. With securities-based lending, you retain ownership of your investment while borrowing against the value of it, similar to a home equity line of credit.
Securities-based lending can be a great source of funding for a short-term loan, such as a bridge loan, for example, if you need to buy a new home prior to selling your current one. This is a common borrowing strategy among investors because it provides flexibility, a sense of control, and preserves emergency cash.
CASH-OUT MORTGAGE REFINANCE
If you’re able to refinance your home at a lower rate, that’s generally a prudent strategy to either reduce your monthly payment or pull out equity currently in your home to fund an emergency account or other investment objective. However, be aware of the overall costs and make sure it supports your long-term goals. For instance, if you are planning to sell your home and move in the near future, reducing your mortgage rate by 0.5% and paying closing costs may not reap the long-term savings you envisioned.
PAY OFF DEBT OR INVEST
Paying off debt vs. investing excess cash is a personal choice based on your unique situation. If you’re debt averse, it may give you peace of mind to reduce debt even when your finances could benefit more from investing the cash. However, if you can earn more by investing the money than you would pay in interest on the debt, it’s better to invest. Likewise, if the interest on your debt is more than you would earn through investing, you should consider paying off the debt.
FINANCE OR PAY CASH
The old adage that “cash is king” may not hold true in a low interest rate environment. If you’re able to invest your cash and earn 8% while borrowing for a car or home loan at a lower percentage rate, it’s more advantageous to borrow for the purchase and invest the cash, earning a higher interest rate. Even a small difference between borrowing rates and interest on earnings can benefit your portfolio.
These considerations are just a few of the many ways to maximize and manage your excess cash within a cash flow plan. Contact Commerce Trust today. Together we can explore a variety of options for cash management solutions and help you make educated decisions based on your goals and unique financial situation.
*Consult your tax advisor
The opinions and other information in the commentary are provided as of October 20, 2020. This summary is intended to provide general information only, and may be of value to the reader and audience.
This material is not a recommendation of any particular investment or insurance strategy, is not based on any particular financial situation or need, and is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified tax advisor or investment professional. While Commerce may provide information or express opinions from time to time, such information or opinions are subject to change, are not offered as professional tax, insurance or legal advice, and may not be relied on as such.
Data contained herein from third-party providers is obtained from what are considered reliable sources. However, its accuracy, completeness or reliability cannot be guaranteed.
Commerce Trust is a division of Commerce Bank.
