April 2025 Newsletter

June 13, 2025

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Mark your Calendar

  • April is Stress Awareness Month
  • April 1 - International Fun Day at Work
  • April 15 - Tax Day (Stress Awareness day is the 16th)
  • April 18 - Good Friday
  • April 20 - Easter Sunday
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Charity of the Month

Verus Financial is excited to shine a charity spotlight on Austism Speaks Empower event during the month of April.

   

This month, we're proud to support Autism Speaks, a leading organization dedicated to promoting understanding and acceptance of autism. They are kicking off Empower Summit and Challenge with events in five major markets. This is a transformative 2-day experience with groundbreaking autism-centered events designed to empower our community. April 11-12 will have events in Houston, TX and Dallas/Fort Worth.

Learn More!

   

6 Tips to Prepare for Tax Day

Tax season can feel overwhelming, but with the right approach, you can stay organized and avoid last-minute stress. Here are six key tips to help you prepare for Tax Day efficiently:

  1. Gather Important Documents Early – Start by collecting W-2s, 1099s, investment statements, and any relevant tax forms to ensure a smooth filing process.
  2. Track Deductible Expenses – Keep records of deductible items such as charitable contributions, medical expenses, and mortgage interest to maximize your potential tax savings.
  3. Understand Tax-Advantaged Accounts – Take advantage of contributions to IRAs, HSAs, and other tax-deferred accounts, which can help reduce your taxable income.
  4. Be Aware of Tax Law Changes – Stay updated on any changes in tax laws that could impact deductions, credits, or filing deadlines.
  5. Consider Estimated Payments – If you're self-employed or have other income sources without tax withholding, make sure you've made estimated tax payments to avoid penalties.
  6. Work with a Professional – Consulting a tax professional can help you identify opportunities for savings and ensure accurate, efficient filing.

By planning ahead and staying informed, you can reduce tax season stress and position yourself for a smoother financial future.

More from Morgan Stanley

   

Tips for Tackling To-Do lists

Here are five expert tips to help you improve focus and boost productivity:

  1. Block Time for Tasks
    Designating specific blocks of time for each task helps you stay organized and focused. Time boxing is a technique where you set aside dedicated periods to work on particular tasks, whether for work or personal chores, ensuring that you avoid distractions and stay on track​.
  2. Try the Pomodoro Technique
    Break your tasks into 25-minute intervals (known as Pomodoros), followed by 5-minute breaks. This method helps maintain focus and prevents burnout by giving you regular mental rests​.
  3. Limit Interruptions
    Reducing distractions can significantly improve productivity. Consider turning off notifications, setting specific hours for meetings, or designating "no-interruption" days to protect focused work time​.
  4. Prioritize Your Tasks
    Learning to say no to non-essential tasks is key. By focusing on activities that align with your goals, you’ll maximize your efforts and avoid spreading yourself too thin​.
  5. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation
    Regular meditation enhances concentration, reduces stress, and improves creativity. Even short, daily sessions can positively impact your productivity by helping you manage distractions and stay present​.

These strategies, when implemented consistently, can help improve focus and productivity, ensuring that you accomplish your tasks efficiently.
From Yahoo! Life

   

Rack of Lamb

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Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 1 hr 30 min

Serving: 6-8 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
  • 2 racks of lamb, 1 1/2 lb. each
  • 1 1/2 tsp. salt
  • 3/4 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 4 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary
  • 2 Tbsp. dijon mustard
  • 2 tsp. honey

Directions

  1. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and drizzle all over with 1 tablespoon of oil. Place the racks of lamb on the baking sheet with the curve of the bones facing down. Season all over with the salt and pepper.
  2. In a small bowl, stir to combine the garlic, rosemary, mustard, honey, and remaining 3 tablespoons of oil. Spread all over the lamb racks. Set aside for 1 hour.
  3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the lamb on the center oven rack and cook until a meat thermometer inserted into the center of the racks reads 145°F (for medium), 25 to 30 minutes. Remove the lamb from the oven, tent with foil, and let rest for 10 minutes. Slice between the rib bones to serve.

More information along with nutrition info can be found at The Pioneer Woman

   

Traditions to Start in April

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In April, you can start traditions like: spring cleaning, planting a garden, celebrating Earth Day, participating in Easter egg hunts, having a family picnic, starting a spring fitness routine, attending local flower festivals, and marking Arbor Day by planting a tree; as April is a month that signifies the arrival of spring and new beginnings, making it a great time to embrace fresh starts and outdoor activities.

Specific traditions to consider in April:

  • Spring Cleaning: Deep clean your home to welcome the new season.
  • Garden Planting: Begin planting seeds or seedlings in your garden.
  • Easter Egg Hunts: Host an Easter egg hunt with family and friends.
  • Family Picnics: Enjoy outdoor meals in parks or your backyard.
  • Spring Fitness Challenge: Start a new workout routine focused on outdoor activities.
  • Flower Festival Visits: Attend local festivals celebrating blooming flowers.
  • Arbor Day Tree Planting: Plant a tree to commemorate Arbor Day.
  • Earth Day Celebration: Participate in Earth Day activities like tree planting, recycling drives, or clean-ups. April 22 will be the 55th anniversary of Earth Day 2025. Find more information at their official Earth Day page.

   

Watch the Full Podcast Episode with Shazia

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And make sure you're getting your quarterly statements!

Want to review where you are in your financial checklist? Make an appointment with us today!

Click Here to Schedule an Appointment!

 

 

Verus Financial is an SEC registered investment adviser. Information presented is for educational purposes only intended for a general audience.  The information does not intend to make an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of any specific securities, investments, or investment strategies. Investments involve risk and are not guaranteed.  Verus has reasonable belief that this marketing does not include any false or material misleading statements or omissions of facts regarding services, investment, or client experience. Verus has reasonable belief that the content as a whole will not cause an untrue or misleading implication regarding the adviser’s services, investments, or client experiences. Verus has presented information in a fair and balanced manner. Past performance of information presented should  not be relied upon without knowledge of certain circumstances of market events, nature and timing of the investments and relevant constraints of the investment. We may discuss and display charts, graphs, formulas and/or stock picks which are not intended to be used by themselves to determine which securities to buy or sell, or when to buy or sell them. Such charts and graphs offer limited information and should not be used on their own to make investment decisions. Consultation with a licensed financial professional is strongly suggested. Verus does not give tax, legal or accounting advice, consult a professional tax or legal representative if needed.  The opinions expressed herein are those of the firm and are subject to change without notice. The opinions referenced are as of the date of publication and are subject to change due to changes in the market or economic conditions and may not necessarily come to pass. Any opinions, projections, or forward-looking statements expressed herein are solely those of the author, may differ from the views or opinions expressed by other areas of the firm, and are only for general informational purposes as of the date indicated. Adviser believes that the content provided by third parties and/or linked content is reasonably reliable and does not contain untrue statements of material fact, or misleading information.  This content may be dated.

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2023 Webinar Line Up

We at Verus are still continuing to host educational and interactive webinars throughout the year so you can learn from the comfort of your home! Click to see the webinar links!

Strength in Houses

The extended strength of the US housing market prompted households to withdraw $82 billion of home equity in Q1, the largest amount in 15 years. Going forward, refinancing will likely be subdued as the average mortgage borrower has already locked in an interest rate over 200 bps below current rates. We believe that record-high levels of untapped home equity may add to the sizable savings buffer that households hold.‍

Your 2022 Half-Year Planning Checklist

As 2022 draws to a half, it’s time to begin organizing your finances for the second half of the year. To help you get started, we’ve compiled together a list of key planning topics to consider. Your Verus Financial Advisor can help you rebalance, review and reset your course, if necessary, for this year and beyond.

Where are we now in the market?

The market appears to be caught in a traditional growth scare if there is anything that is scaring the markets right now it's not just happening in US it's happening broadly as well. The roller coaster continues so we're seeing yields higher, and stocks lower and why that is happening we're actually going through a period of transition where the stimulus you know the sugar rush from stimulus is wearing off.

Estate Planning 101

A good estate plan helps ensure the right people will receive the right property at the right time. When you die, your assets are subject to a number of expenses that can significantly reduce the size of your estate left to your heirs. Proper estate planning can minimize these expenses and determine how the costs that remain will be paid.

Using Taxes to Your Advantage

Tax planning is the analysis of a financial situation or plan from a tax perspective. It is the reduction of tax liability by the way of exemptions, deductions, and benefits. The purpose is to ensure tax efficiency. Tax planning includes making financial and business decisions to minimize the incidence of tax.

Protecting Your Greatest Asset

To put it in simple terms, disability insurance is insurance for your income. It allows you to protect your most valuable asset, your income, in the event you become too hurt or sick to work. There are two options: Short-term and long-term. Analyze your existing coverage to find the plan that best fits your lifestyle! It can be more affordable than you think and the benefit can be used for different things such as medical expenses, household expenses, or help with household tasks. Most people protect their home, car, phone, and identity so why not protect your income.

Protect Your Loved Ones With Life Insurance

If you were to die unexpectedly, would your spouse have enough money to cover funeral expenses and daily living expenses? Would there be enough money to pay for everything your family relies on you for, if you were suddenly not around? Would your family have to move and change their lifestyle if you were to die prematurely? If your spouse were to outlive you by 10 or 20 years or more, would they be able to make ends meet? Life insurance pays cash to your loved ones after you die, allowing them to remain financially secure.

College is Right Around the Corner

Why Start Planning Now? A child that is born now will face tuition costs that are three to four times higher than what they are now. It is never too early to start planning for your child's future. There are many ways to save for college. Some you might have heard before, some you might not have. This article easily sums up different college saving plans that you can potentially think about using.

The Basics of Investments

What is Investing? Investing is the act of committing money or capital to an endeavor with the expectation of obtaining an additional income or profit. Making your money work for you maximizes your earning potential whether or not you receive a raise, decide to work overtime, or look for a higher-paying job. There are many ways you can invest which include putting money into stocks, bonds, mutual, real estate, or starting your own business. It does not matter which method you choose for investing your money, the goal is always to put your money to work so it earns you an additional income.

Why You Should Keep Investing Even When Markets Are Down

As investors during a decline in the market, it is difficult to remember why we decided to take the risk of investing. In its best days and its worst days, the stock market draws the most attention, but there is one surefire way to keep trading worth your time: Stick it out for the good and the bad. If you plan for the long-term, don't panic. Instead, here are 3 reasons to keep investing, even in the worst of times.

What does Fed rate hike mean for the market?

The big news today is that Chairman Jerome Powell and the Federal Reserves announcing a 25 basis point hike in interest rates. Let's see how this could potentially affect the market. If we take a look back at historical data, the S&P 500 has averaged a 3.7% growth, 12-months following the first rate hike of each cycle from 1971 to 2004. 24 months after the first hike, it has seen an average of 16.3% growth and averaged 31.0% after 36 months.

August Market Summary

GLOBAL EQUITIES: Q2 earnings data kept Delta variant concerns at bay, initially reversing the S&P 500’s mid-week decline. However, despite US Q2 GDP posting above its pre-pandemic peak, it came in lower-than expected, leading the S&P 500 to end the week lower by -0.35%. Meanwhile, Chinese stocks saw significant volatility as investors grappled with Beijing’s tighter financial regulations. The MSCI China Index ended the week lower at -6.06%. In the UK, a drag in the mining sector and variant concerns left the FTSE 100 up only 0.10%.

Mega Roth IRA: What It Is And How It Can Work For You!

Roth IRAs have been a popular topic as of late. For a long time, it was an unspoken secret used by retirement planners. However, the IRS released guidance that specifically addressed both backdoors Roth IRA conversions, and the so-called Mega Roth IRA. As a result, it has gained even more traction and interest.

Where Will Your Equity Profile Be in a Year?

The market is disengaged from financial fundamentals and all reality. Remember December 2018when the market fell 20% (over three months) over a “potential” China trade war? And remember the big rally in 2019 – and you’re saying to yourself “If only I had bought back then!” Surprise! You're getting a second chance!

What can we do for you with our houston-based Financial services?

Explore the various services we employ to see how we can improve your money.

plan

Your plan is more than just money; it’s personalized for you. We are side-by-side with you every step of this process to guide and help you create a custom financial plan based on your specific goals.

Retire

Imagine a retirement plan tailored for you. Everyone has a different money situation. That’s why you deserve realistic and personalized retirement plan to support your future.

Invest

For what matters most in your future. Saving for your goals and redirect your money away from companies with harmful products, policies, and practices.

protect

You are the most important resource to the people who depend on you. Our plans  designed to help you protect your loved ones whether it’s a child, an aging parent, or even a business partner and find clarity in next steps

Business coaching

Businesses deserve the guidance of a professional who understands not only its needs, but also how the business can affect a person's personal financial situation and life goals.

Coaching

You are your most important resource. Our executive coaching is designed to help you reinvent your career, create balance at work, and find clarity in next steps.