What Have We Been Up To?

 Building strong relationships within the community we serve is one of the foundational pillars we believe and practice here at Godfrey Financial Associates.

In May we participated in two major community events.

• Our spring Shred Day on May 6th was a huge success! This biannual community event allows you to safely and securely shred any personal information or documents that you otherwise would feel uncomfortable just throwing away. Our shred days are ALWAYS free and open to the community. We simply ask those for a donation of a NON-EXPIRED NON-PERISHABLE food item. We delivered over four full boxes and several bags of food to the Bethlehem Food Pantry!

  Our next community Shred day will be held October 28th, 2023 from 9AM-12PM. We can’t wait to see you then!

• The entire Godfrey Financial team attended the Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood Spring Gala on May 12th.

  We were privileged to be the presenting sponsor for a wonderful event, celebrating the essential work of Planned Parenthood. Their work inspires us to support those who do not have a voice. We look forward to our continued partnership with UHPP!

Impact Investing, What Is It and How to Get Started

Investing is not just about making money, it's also about making a positive impact on society and the environment. Impact and socially responsible investing (SRI) have gained in popularity recently as investors look to align their values with their investments. In this blog post, we'll explore how to get started in impact and SRI investing.

1. Understand the Basics

Impact and SRI investing focus on investing in companies that are making a positive impact on society and the environment. This can include investing in companies that are working to reduce carbon emissions, promote social justice, or support sustainable agriculture, among other things.

To get started in impact and SRI investing, it's important to understand the basics of these investment strategies. There are many resources available online, including blogs, articles, and podcasts that can help you learn more about impact and SRI investing.

2. Define Your Values

Impact and SRI investing are about aligning your values with your investments. To get started, it's important to define your values and determine what causes or issues you are most passionate about. This could include social justice, environmental sustainability, or support for small businesses, among other things.

Once you have a clear understanding of your values, you can begin to look for investment opportunities that align with those values. There are many different investment options available, including mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and individual stocks.

3. Research Investment Options

Once you have a clear understanding of your values and the basics of impact and SRI investing, it's time to research investment options. There are many resources available online that can help you find investment opportunities that align with your values.

For example, there are websites and databases that track companies that meet specific impact and SRI criteria. Additionally, there are many financial advisors and investment firms like Godfrey Financial Associates that specialize in impact and SRI investing and can provide guidance and support.

4. Consider Your Risk Tolerance

As with any type of investing, it's important to consider your risk tolerance when investing in impact and SRI funds. While these funds may offer the potential for strong returns, they can also be more volatile than traditional investment options.

It's important to take the time to understand your risk tolerance and determine how much risk you are willing to take on in your investment portfolio. Additionally, it's important to consider your investment time horizon and how long you plan to hold your investments.

5. Monitor Your Investments

Once you have invested in impact and SRI funds, it's important to monitor your investments and stay up-to-date on any changes or developments. This could include changes to the fund's investment strategy, shifts in the market or political landscape, or changes to the companies in which the fund is invested.

By monitoring your investments and staying informed, you can make informed decisions about your portfolio and ensure that your investments continue to align with your values.

Impact and socially responsible investing offer investors the opportunity to align their values with their investments and make a positive impact on society and the environment. By understanding the basics, defining your values, researching investment options, considering your risk tolerance, and monitoring your investments, you can get started in impact and SRI investing and create a portfolio that reflects your values and helps you achieve your financial goals.

Addressing the Unique Challenges Women Face in Investing and Planning Their Financial Futures

Women face unique challenges when it comes to investing and planning for their financial future. Despite making up nearly half of the workforce, women continue to earn less than men, take more time off work for caregiving responsibilities, and have longer lifespans. These factors, among others, can make it more difficult for women to accumulate wealth and achieve financial security.

Let’s explore the unique challenges that women face when it comes to investing and planning for their financial futures and discuss strategies to overcome these challenges.

1. Lack of Financial Confidence

One of the biggest challenges that women face when it comes to investing and financial planning is a lack of confidence. Numerous studies have shown that women are often less confident than men when it comes to making financial decisions. This lack of confidence can lead to a reluctance to invest or take risks, which can impact long-term financial growth.

It's important for women to educate themselves about investing and financial planning. By learning about different investment options and financial strategies, women can gain the confidence they need to make informed decisions about their finances.

2. Limited Time

Women often have multiple responsibilities to juggle, including work, childcare, and household duties. This leaves little time for investing and financial planning. Additionally, women are more likely than men to take time off work for caregiving responsibilities, which impacts their ability to earn and save.

To overcome this challenge, women should look for ways to make investing and financial planning more efficient, such as using online tools and resources. Working with a financial advisor can help them make the most of their time and create a plan that fits their unique needs and goals.

3. Risk Aversion

Women are often more risk-averse than men when it comes to investing. This often results in a reluctance to invest in stocks, which can impact long-term growth potential.

To overcome this challenge, it's important for women to understand that all investments come with some degree of risk and volatility. However, by creating a diversified portfolio that includes a mix of lower and higher-risk investments, women can balance risk and reward while working toward their long-term financial goals.

4. Limited Representation

The financial industry is still largely male-dominated, which often makes it difficult for women to find advisors who understand their unique needs and challenges. Some women may feel uncomfortable discussing their financial situation with a male advisor who hasn’t done the work to build rapport and trust in the relationship.

To overcome this challenge, women can look for female financial advisors who understand their unique needs and challenges. Additionally, women can seek out networking opportunities and online communities that can provide support and guidance.

Investing and financial planning may be challenging for women, but women can take control. By educating themselves, making the most of their time, and seeking out representation and guidance, women can create a plan that fits their unique needs and helps them achieve financial security.

2023 Spring Shred Day

Spring Shred Day 2023

• Saturday, May 6, 2023

• 9:00 AM 12:00 PM

• Godfrey Financial Associates, Inc. (map)

Time for some spring cleaning!

Join us on Saturday, May 6th, 2023 (9am-Noon) for our bi-annual Community Shred Day. In the past, Shred Day has been a smash hit, and we're expecting this Spring event to be just as great!

We'll also be collecting non-perishable food items for the Bethlehem Food Pantry. In the past we have been able to collect a large box of food donations, and are hoping to double our donation this time! If you'd like to help us reach our community goal, bring your NON-EXPIRED and NON-PERISHABLE items along with your papers to be shredded.

This service is open to the community and we encourage all area residents to take part in our event. Come say hello and enjoy a hot cup of coffee with us!

·         Date: Saturday, May 6th, 2023 (rain or shine)

·         Time: 9am-Noon

·         Address: 797 Route 9W, Glenmont, NY 12077

·         What to bring: Paper items to shred, non-perishable Food Pantry donation (encouraged, not required)

·         Parking: Available on-site

Key4Women Lee Woodruff speaking event

The Godfrey Financial team attended the Key4Women event featuring Lee Woodruff, co-author of New York Times best-selling book “In an Instant”.

Very inspiring presentation, and many thanks to Key Bank and the event sponsors for putting on such a great event.

Women Adviser Summit 2018

Hannah (left) and Kathleen (right) enjoying the day at the Women Adviser Summit in Boston, MA, as they learn about new ways to empower their clients' journey toward retirement goals.

Today's sessions: learning why Social Security options are crucial for women, learning how to empower women to acquire more wealth, and lessons in leadership.

Spring Shred Day 2017

Join us on Saturday, April 22nd, 2017 (9-11am) for our bi-annual Community Shred Day. Our Fall Shred Day was a smash hit, and we're expecting our Spring event to be just as great.

We'll also be collecting non-perishable food items for the Bethlehem Food Pantry. In April, we were able to collect a large box of food donations, and are hoping to double our donation this time! If you'd like to help us reach our community goal, bring your food items along with your shred pile.

This service is open to the community and we encourage all area residents to take part in our event. Come say hello and enjoy a hot cup of coffee with us!

• Date: Saturday, April 22nd, 2017

• Time: 9-11am

• Address: 797 Route 9W, Glenmont, NY 12077

• What to bring: Paper items to shred, non-perishable Food Pantry donation (encouraged, not required)

• Parking: Available on-site

Fall Shred Day 2016

Join us on Saturday, November 5th, 2016 (9-11am) for our bi-annual Community Shred Day. Our Spring shred day was a smash hit, and we're expecting our Fall event to be just as great.

We'll also be collecting non-perishable food items for the Bethlehem Food Pantry. In April, we were able to collect a large box of food donations, and are hoping to double our donation this time! If you'd like to help us reach our community goal, bring your food items along with your shred pile.

This service is open to the community and we encourage all area residents to take part in our event. Come say hello and enjoy a hot cup of coffee with us!

• Date: Saturday, November 5th, 2016

• Time: 9-11am

• Address: 797 Route 9W, Glenmont, NY 12077

• What to bring: Paper items to shred, non-perishable Food Pantry donation (encouraged, not required)

• Parking: Available on-site

Spring Shred Day 2016

Join us on Saturday, April 23rd, 2016 (9-11am) for our bi-annual Community Shred Day. Our Fall Shred Day was a smash hit, and we're expecting our Spring event to be just as great.

We'll also be collecting non-perishable food items for the Bethlehem Food Pantry. In April, we were able to collect a large box of food donations, and are hoping to double our donation this time! If you'd like to help us reach our community goal, bring your food items along with your shred pile.

This service is open to the community and we encourage all area residents to take part in our event. Come say hello and enjoy a hot cup of coffee with us!

• Date: Saturday, April 23rd, 2016

• Time: 9-11am

• Address: 797 Route 9W, Glenmont, NY 12077

• What to bring: Paper items to shred, non-perishable Food Pantry donation (encouraged, not required)

• Parking: Available on-site

Shred Day 2015

Shred Day 2015 was a huge success!