A few self-made barons can be found on the list of the world’s richest people, but the majority of aristocrats have never known anything other because they were born into a fortune. Generational wealth is what it’s called, and it’s not only for the top one percent.
By generating wealth, even little wealth, increasing it, protecting and defending it, and passing it down to benefit those who will come after, ordinary people who make wise decisions can give a leg up to their children and grandchildren.
Naturally, that’s easier said than done. Still, regular people from ordinary backgrounds can build equity in their homes, launch businesses, make wise investments, and — perhaps most importantly — learn, plan, and seek professional assistance to ensure that what they build isn’t wasted by this generation or the next.
First Things First: Talk It Out
Many families find it difficult to discuss money, but putting off difficult discussions can be disastrous for the family’s financial situation.
John Smallwood, president of Smallwood Financial Management and author of “It’s Your Money—Keep It: The Ultimate Guide to Developing, Preserving, Enjoying, and Passing On Your Wealth,” remarked that it “needs frank conversation with family members, addressing matters that are personal in nature.”
“The wealthy families I’ve dealt with over the years have all been eager to be transparent with one another about their acquired fortune. Future generations will be better able to avoid mistakes and traps that put riches at risk if the conversation is more open.”
Enlist professional help and pay attention to taxes.
Nearly everyone who effectively transfers wealth to following generations has one thing in common: they don’t do it alone.
Estate taxes have a history of destroying wealth, according to Smallwood. “The tendencies of the future are impossible to predict. Perhaps you’ve built up a sizeable amount of personal wealth and then received additional funds through inheritance. You can then find yourself in a higher tax bracket.
Poor planning may result in wealth drains that range from 40% to 50% across several generations. To secure inherited money for you and future generations, financial planners can assist you in setting up layers of asset protection, such as wills, revocable trusts, spousal lifetime access trusts, and life insurance.”
Get into the business of building.
According to Jerome Myers, CEO of the Myers Development Group, purchasing businesses with real estate tied to them is one of the safest methods to build generational wealth.
With anything that generates cash flow from the moment they take ownership, they may bypass the startup period of business development, according to Myers. “In order to carry out this approach, our company buys apartment buildings.
Apartment building owners benefit from the cash flow generated by the property, forced asset appreciation that builds equity, and the tax breaks associated with large real estate developments.”
Be like Buffett and invest in boring things.
Real estate and cryptocurrencies are intriguing but highly unpredictable big, attractive investments. Long-term performance is likely to be better with less exciting but more reliable investments.
Property and casualty insurance is the best industry in the world to invest in, according to Alexander Lowry, Silicon Valley Bank’s COO’s chief of staff. “This is Warren Buffett’s preferred means of investment. Every year, he mentions it in his letter. His entire business is built on it. About all of his investing results are driven by it. Focusing on insurance can help you accumulate significant money.
The best-managed P&C companies increased their returns over time by more than double that of the S&P 500. The best P&C firms constantly increase float, book value, and the inescapable asset base while making underwriting profits and realizing investment returns.”
Create a variety of revenue sources.
The pandemic demonstrated that those with multiple sources of income, as opposed to those with substantial savings, are more likely to prosper in the face of unforeseen problems. That kind of financial stability is positioned to last through the generations.
Xavier Epps, financial expert, author of the #1 New Release on Amazon, and founder of FinanceGuyX, advised young people to work toward having numerous sources of income so they are not dependent on one source of income. “In comparison to past generations, young people nowadays have access to more resources and abilities, allowing them to turn their interests into additional sources of income.
If their side business succeeds, they might think about quitting their 9 to 5 job and starting their own business full-time so they have more control over their financial development.”
Buy life insurance
The issue with generations is that it will happen regardless of your choice as to when yours ends and the next one starts. Even though that could be uncomfortable, you can find comfort in the idea that your passing could result in a windfall that will help your descendants succeed.
“A life insurance policy with death benefit proceeds flowing to recipients tax-free is the first thing that springs to mind on how to transmit generational wealth,” said Candida Hinton, investment adviser representative for Transamerica Financial Advisors Inc.
Insurance is the cornerstone of safety and wealth preservation.