An annuity is an insurance contract issued and distributed by financial institutions. Their objective is to pay out these invested funds to the investor in the form of a fixed income stream in the future. The investor can buy these annuities with a monthly premium or through a lump sum amount. This type of investment is usually done to get income in retirement years. However, here are some common mistakes people make with annuities. Not shopping around One of the biggest problems with purchasing annuities is that not enough people shop around before they commit to buying from one place. Annuities are known to be profitable for brokers because the commission can be as high as 10 percent in some cases, which means that the investor is paying a lot more than what they need to pay. However, there are many annuity shopping services through which one can invest directly, with no broker. Also, variable annuities are available through particular companies. So, one must explore the available options before making a decision. Choosing the wrong annuity There are four basic types of annuities: Fixed dollar amount – This gives an investor a fixed return on the investment, which is pre-decided and agreed upon.

Payroll is a finance-related business process that calculates and disburses employee salaries and benefits. To run a business successfully and keep its workforce motivated, companies should prioritize accurate and timely payroll processing. However, payroll management is a complicated task with many layers of guidelines, and it is constantly upgraded based on the company’s needs. Making mistakes in this aspect can not only cost resources and add-on finances to the company but also create a sense of distrust amongst the workforce. Common payroll mistakes to avoid With due diligence, companies can avoid several oversights. Some common errors include the following: Not tracking working and overtime hours It’s important for all businesses to note down the working and overtime hours of the employees not just for calculating payments but also to access productivity and efficiency for long-term business success. These issues are especially prominent when an employee travels for work or must participate in tasks outside the work hours or office premises. It’s best to automate this process using systems like biometrics to simply the payroll management tasks. Sending incorrect W-2s A W-2 is an important payroll document that enlists all crucial information related to the employee’s salaries, their benefits, taxable income, 401k, and other financial details.

Real estate has always been a popular way to invest money. This is because there’s a constant need for good housing options. Buying a property for investment purposes will give good returns every year. However, one must take a certain level of risk. People should also have enough knowledge about the market to avoid huge losses. One way to succeed is to know the five common mistakes other real estate investors make when investing. Not making a solid plan One should have a well-defined plan before starting the real estate investment journey. Buying a house can be risky without understanding how it will generate gains or income. Since there are different types of real estate properties, people can start by studying each type. For example, a vacation rental, an office, and a home. While one may feel tempted to invest when an attractive deal lands, it is wise to take a step back and think if the investment fits into long-term goals. Always consider how the investment will fare if the market goes down! Skipping research Just like any big purchase, investing in real estate requires research. However, the research here needs to be more thorough. After all, a home is more expensive than a television or a car.

Many people prefer tried-and-tested, low-risk investment options because these offer protection in the face of economic uncertainties. Index funds are among such investment options, and quite a few of them end up performing better than other types of mutual funds. Vanguard, a giant in the investment management industry, offers a host of index funds that strike the right balance between risks and returns. Here are some of its best index funds to consider buying today: 1. Vanguard S&P 500 This popular index fund is also called the Vanguard 500 Index Fund (VFIAX), and it tracks and invests in stocks that are a part of the S&P 500 index. Basically, the S&P 500 index tracks the stocks of the top 500 companies that are listed on stock exchanges in the country, so there is a good chance of high returns. Also, investing in this fund diversifies the investor portfolio to a great extent, reducing overall risk. The risk further diminishes with this type of investment because it tracks a highly reputed index in the financial market. The Vanguard S&P 500 lends itself well to long-term investment goals, wherein the plan is to let the corpus grow on its own time before reaping its benefits.

A 401(k) plan lets employees set aside a specific sum from their monthly paychecks and invest it in a special retirement savings account. Opting for this plan has several benefits. For example, one can choose from two types of 401(k) accounts (each with unique features) and avoid paying taxes on the money invested. Still, for a 401(k) plan to work effectively, one must  steer clear of  a few common errors. Not investing enough Individuals should regularly invest money in the 401(k) plan during their employment tenure to enjoy a good return after retirement. Not contributing to the account frequently, contributing a low amount, or not increasing the contribution to this account over time as one’s salary increases are all factors that may affect the plan. Individuals should note that they could invest around $22,500 in the 401(k) in a particular year while increasing the sum by $500 the following year. Those over 50 could put away an additional amount. Some plans enable users to automatically increase their contributions by 1% annually at a date of their choosing, which is highly beneficial.  But  one should note that the automated annual increase will stop once it touches 10%, or 15% in some cases. Making a job switch before the vesting period Most employers offer to match the employee’s payment to the 401(k) plan every month or at least make some contribution from their pocket.