​Meredith Storey ‘20
Financial Analyst Intern

In her role as a Financial Analyst Intern, Meredith focuses on investment research for Sarah, Brien, and TWA clients. Her research is primarily focused on stock and fund evaluations using a combination of fundamental and technical analysis to deliver long-term projections on current and potential holdings. She enjoys assessing how securities’ short-term price fluctuations due to political, economic, and social trends compare to long-term forecasts based on intrinsic values. Meredith will graduate in May of 2020 with her Bachelors of Finance and Certificate in International Business. She will be pursuing either an MBA or a more data analytics focused master’s degree after graduation. As for her future career, Meredith hopes to be a portfolio manager for a hedge or mutual fund. Meredith’s particular interest in international business pushes her to incorporate international investing and travel into her future career as well.

Apart from her work at TWA, Meredith maintains an active role in Aggie Investment Club
and Delta Zeta Sorority. She enjoys philanthropic work through Adopt-A-Street, the Brazos
Valley Food Bank, and The Center for Hearing and Speech. Outside of work, school, or extra
curricular activities, her passions include learning languages, cooking, outdoor adventures,
and fashion and make up design.

This is a must-read for moms, both stay-at-home and working moms, to be prepared for life’s unplanned situations. Even the most thought out and well-planned life and finances can be disrupted by divorce, unemployment, widowhood, or chronic illness. These situations could cause the mom to become the primary caregiver and breadwinner. Here are some tips to plan for these ‘what-if’ circumstances:

1. Emergency Savings: Most financial advisors recommend savings that can cover 3-6 months of expenses set aside in an easily accessible account. Therefore, if either parent became unemployed, there is time to figure out a plan for an alternate income source. Six months savings is ideal.
2. Insurance: Make sure there is enough life and disability insurance on both spouses. Even a stay-at-home spouse needs life insurance in case something were to happen to that spouse, than the primary income earning spouse would have to pay for daycare and the running of the household. 
3. Finances: In many households, the workload is shared as to who pays the bills, who oversees the retirement account, or other household assets. It is vital that BOTH spouses understand all of the family finances. What do we own and owe? Are there any debts (credit card, vehicle loan, etc)? What are the family financial goals and how are they being met? If you are using a financial advisor, and it is highly recommended that you do, make sure both spouses are present for those discussions and meetings. 
4. Investment decisions: Both spouses need to know how to save and invest. If one spouse is uneducated on this topic, now is the time to begin learning! Open your own savings, investment account, or spousal IRA to learn the lingo and advance your financial IQ. Don’t forget to monitor your credit history in case you ever have to support yourself! There are plenty of resources out there such as books and podcasts to help you learn. 
5. Earning potential: If you are a stay-at-home mom, taking a gap in your career can be scary, especially when the children are in school and it is time to enter back into the workforce. One thing to consider is having a part-time job, consulting, or contract work. This can help with the household income and keep your skills sharp and up-to-date. Volunteering in a professional field is also an option. In case you ever found yourself in a position as the sole income to support your family, you would have more confidence to jump back into the workforce outside the home. 

If you have any questions or would like assistance with the financial tips above or estate planning, please contact Traditions Wealth Advisors at Brien@TraditionsWealthAdvisors.com or 979-694-9100. 
Source: Ward, Judith.9/18/2018.Forbes. https://www.fidelity.com/mymoney/5-financial-tips-for-moms?ccsource=Twitter_YI&sf217022168=1

With the changes in the school year, comes changes at Traditions Wealth Advisors. Spencer Fredericks, financial analyst intern, will be leaving to go to Houston to begin his career at Whitley Penn. Spencer graduated from A&M in May of this year. Spencer has recently successfully completed part 1 of the Chartered Financial Analysis (CFA) certification.  This is quite an honor knowing only 41% pass the first exam! TWA wants to wish Spencer well as he begins a new chapter in the book of life. Further, Dan Galvan worked as an accounting intern this summer. Dan will be completing his degree and will be in the Professional Program in Accounting (PPA) at Texas A&M.  Best of luck in your studies and completing your degree, Dan!

Traditions Wealth Advisors would like to thank these two for their phenomenal work that they did during their time at TWA.

On the flip side, TWA would like to give a big 'howdy' to Jacob Carroll who just completed his summer internship at PIMCO (Pacific Investment Management Company).  Jacob will be working as a financial analyst intern as he completes his degree here at TAMU. Marissa Heffley who worked for TWA last fall and spring will be returning as the accounting intern as she completes her master's and PPA. Marissa spent her summer doing her Professional Program in Accounting (PPA) internship at PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) in Ft Worth.  Traditions Wealth Advisors is excited about having Jacob and Marissa (back) on the team!

E-mail to clients on August 15, 2019:

Dear clients,
 
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers during my back surgery Monday. The surgery and rehab are progressing very well. Working at home with my laptop and speedy internet connection.
 
With the Dow Jones Industrial dropping 800 points yesterday it may have grabbed your attention. This was only a 3% drop after the markets had risen 20% from the first of the year. Also, keep in mind this is August, still the summer, and a lot of investors are still on vacation. This fact, of low volume in the markets, leads toward exaggeration in the markets. When more of the investors come back in to the markets in September and October any extreme investors (or investments) will be diluted by higher volumes of investments.
 
Also, remember that 70% economy is supported by the consumer. With unemployment near or at all-time lows, wages increasing and taxes low; the consumer is in good shape and spending money.
 
As always we are here for you. We are monitoring the markets and your investments as they support your financial plan. Do not hesitate to call the office and speak with Sarah or you can e-mail me and I will reply as soon as I am able.
 
Thanks again for your trust,
Brien