Aequus Newsletter

The Top 5 Things You Need to Teach Kids about Money

    What if there was mandatory money instruction for every child in America from kindergarten on up and every adult was required to take an annual test confirming those concepts well into their senior years? It’s a nice fantasy. But in reality, the first money lessons a child gets come from their parents, and experts agree that the way parents teach and reinforce those concepts will have a major impact on their kids avoiding major financial problems later in life. So, a question for parents: How equipped are you to teach your kids about money?
    If you don’t feel confident about creating a money curriculum for your child, don’t worry, there’s help. Start by planning your own financial future with a qualified financial planner. You can take a look at where you need to be with your finances, and gather ideas to teach your kids about money as well.

Aequus On The Move

For Cicily Maton, the fall season proved to be a particularly busy one. She was constantly on the move giving presentations, attending conferences, and working to develop a deeper understanding of the issues Aequus clients face. This article details some of the highlights of her travels, presentation topics, and favorite conference sessions. 

A Family Mission Statement Can Help Any Family Manage Assets, Philanthropy & Direction

    A family doesn’t need a surname like Vanderbilt to benefit from a family mission statement. A mission statement is a collaborative document created by one or more generations of family so standards and goals can be set for the handling of all family assets, including businesses and philanthropy in particular.
    While mission statements aren’t legal documents – in fact, many are done both in written form and on videotape as a companion to legal wills and directives— their purpose is to make a record of the family’s values, goals and aspirations and how those sentiments should drive future decisions about family wealth management, business succession plans, and charitable pursuits.  Multi-national companies have mission statements. Non-profit corporations have mission statements. A mission statement for your family, helps identify and clarify specific values and goals, facilitates group decisions, instills confidence, and encourages unity. 

Creating a Personal Disaster Plan

    The idea of a personal disaster plan began circulating in the days after the September 11, 2001 attacks. They got a boost after Hurricane Katrina. Yet even when we experience a fortunate break between natural and man-made crises, it’s still a good idea to have a plan and review it annually.
    Why? Because there is no such thing as a one-size-fits all disaster plan, nor should it begin and end with details on how you and your family would cope in the aftermath of a weather disaster or an attack with worldwide implications. Disaster planning is all about worst-case scenarios that might affect you directly.