April 2023: Diary of a CFP® Pro: News from Marguerita Cheng, April 2023 — It’s National Financial Literacy Month!

Listen to the podcast on Inkandescent Radio Diary of a CFP® Pro: News from Marguerita Cheng, April 2023 — It’s National Financial Literacy Month! April 28, 2023: This week on Margaritas with Marguerita, Dorrit Lowsen, Co-CEO of Change Finance, helps us understand the impact investing equation. You'll learn about some of the major issues active shareholders are working on now and why we are hearing so much backlash against ESGs. Don't miss it!

If it’s April, it’s National Financial Literacy Month! This is my favorite time of the year, not just because the cherry blossoms bloom in my home of Maryland — but because we have the opportunity to share with the world how we can all flex our financial muscles.

Here are a few ways to get started: 

Margaritas with Marguerita: I invite you to listen and watch the most recent interview from my weekly podcast and video show, Margaritas with Marguerita! You’ll find our conversation on MargueritaChengRadio.com and our TV episodes of the interviews on MargueritaCheng.tv. Scroll down to learn about our upcoming guests.

In the News: Also, scroll down to read some of the articles I am quoted in and have written to national media outlets this month, packed with information that I hope will help you understand more about your financial future.

Hot off the presses: This month we debut my newest book, “Diary of a CFP® Pro” is available! Preview of the 12 chapters at DiaryofaCFPPro.com. To order your book copy for $5, send my team an email!

To book me to talk about lessons learned and how you can maximize your financial plan, click here to contact me today! — Cheers to you, Rita

This month on the Margaritas with Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro Show — Above, you’ll find the most recent interview in my podcast and video series that shines a light on experts from around the world who are helping us flex our financial muscles.

Marguerita in the News

Scroll down to read some of the articles I’ve been quoted in this month. I think there’s some great information in these stories that you can apply to your financial plan.

ETF.com, April 11, 2023 — On today’s episode of ETF Working Lunch, Blue Ocean Global Wealth founder Marguerita Cheng explains what drives her practice and how she serves her clients. Rita joins etf.com‘s Heather Bell on the podcast to talk about how her firm approaches educating and coaching clients. Click here to listen!

About ETF Working Lunch: Our biweekly podcast where etf.com writers and analysts discuss the latest news and most important trends in ETFs with some of the smartest women in the business. It’s a fun and insight-packed gathering of ladies who work through lunch! You can also listen to it on Spotify, iTunes and Google.

 

Motivate Your Money, April 8, 2023 — Host Mac Garner, CFP®, features Marguerita Cheng on his show, explains, “Many of you know that Marguerita (Rita) Cheng, CFP®has been carrying the torch as a successful female leader in the #FinancialPlanning industry. You may also know that she is passionate about the need for more #Diversity #Equity#Inclusion in the financial services industry. But did you know that she’s also a TERP!”

“Yep, both Rita and are are University of Maryland alums! Rita joins me on this episode of “3 Pointers” to share her Top 3 Motivational Money Messages. You MUST listen to her advice. She’s been serving as a financial guide to her clients for many years and has some great words of wisdom to share!” Click here to watch the episode. 

Rethinking65, April 6, 2023: “How to Support Moms Headed Back to School” — Going back to school later in life is a significant decision for anyone, but it can be especially daunting and challenging for moms. According to the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, 26% of undergraduate students are parents — and 71% are women. As CFP professionals, one of our most important responsibilities is providing guidance and support to moms returning to school, often to help secure their financial future. Advisors must take many factors into account when guiding them through this journey. Let’s explore what challenges moms face when returning to school and how you can help them succeed. Click here to read all about it.

AP News, March 27, 2023: “How to use a tax refund to fight inflation” — Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro, is featured in today’s article by Kimberly Palmer, who writes, “If inflation has eaten away at your budget, the way waves erode a beach, then your tax refund might just provide a much-needed protective barrier. As of March, prices are up 6% over the past 12 months, according to the most recent consumer price index. At the same time, just over half of filers (55%) expect tax refunds for the 2022 tax year, with an average expected refund of $2,205, according to the 2023 Nerdwallet Tax Report. Financial experts say consumers can use that windfall — which is really just a delayed paycheck that you already earned — to help offset the strain of those higher prices.” Click here to learn what Marguerita suggests.

ETF.com, March 22, 2023: “Advisors to Clients on Banking Crisis: Don’t Panic” — ReporterHeather Bell writes: “In the past few weeks, we’ve seen the collapse of two relatively small banks that were not considered to be “systemically important” and the rescue of Credit Suisse by its fellow Swiss financial institution UBS. That alone has been enough to give investors jitters. But with inflation high and the Fed seemingly determined to continue hiking rates, the banking disasters sent related exchange-traded funds into a tizzy of volatility.”

Marguerita, CEO and founder of Blue Ocean Global Wealth, says investors should remain calm and not do anything rash. “The first step is to acknowledge that the situation is unsettling,” Marguerita insists. “I am not a therapist. I am not a policy expert. But I explain things.” She explains to her clients that the FDIC insures individual bank accounts for up to $250,000. “For some businesses, like those involved in construction, more money may be held in cash. I also advise my clients to diversify their banking relationships so that their money is held across multiple institutions at any given time.” Click here to read the entire article.

US News, March 20, 2023 — In today’s article by USNews contributor Marguerita Cheng, we learn now to avoid greenwashing and pick the companies that really match your values and passions. Scroll down to read all about. And click here to read it on money.usnews.com.

By Marguerita Cheng, contributor

Still wondering whether environmental, social and governance standards in investing, also known as ESG investing, is a trend that will eventually fizzle out? You can probably stop that now.

A recent report by PwC has shown that if anything, the global interest in ESG investing will accelerate to an even grander scale. By 2026, there will be $33.9 trillion in various ESG assets, representing 21.5% of total assets under management (AUM), or $1 for every $5 invested, PwC says. That may put ESG in the too-big-to-ignore category for most investors. But those numbers, as they say, are just the tip of the iceberg. Click here to keep reading!

CNBC, March 10, 2023: “Employers can use this retirement perk as a ‘stepping stone’ to a 401(k), says advisor”

Marguerita Cheng, CFP® Pro, is featured in today’s article by Greg Iacurci who explains, “Small business owners today may feel they’re getting pulled in two directions: stuck between wanting to offer a retirement benefit to their workers but feeling unable to afford costs associated with a 401(k) plan.

”But entrepreneurs scared by the affordability of maintaining a 401(k) plan can instead consider an alternative workplace retirement plan known as a SIMPLE IRA, said Marguerita Cheng, a certified financial planner based in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

“Employers are more pressured these days to offer a retirement benefit to stay competitive in a hot labor market. Job openings have been historically high, and turnover has been elevated. If you have a younger workforce or you have no [retirement] plan, it’s a great way to start offering one.” Click here to read the entire article.