Clinton Township Newsletter

1 8 f e b r u a r y 2 0 2 6 W W W . C L I N T O N T W P N E W S L E T T E R . C O M Hunterdon County's Hidden Gem! 51 County Rd 635, Hampton (corner of Norton Church & Charlestown Rds) www.SentForOthers.org/NorthHunterdonThrift. 908.735.0177 Get ready for an unforgettable experience as we unveil our exclusive February Pop- Up Shop! Join us for a unique shopping experience featuring a curated selection of exclusive designer pieces available for one week only! Explore the latest trends, timeless classics, and one-of-a-kind items from top designers in the fashion industry. That's right, for one-week-only, we are thrilled to announce the opening of our Designer Shop in the Church Sanctuary, February 14-21! Come and experience the ultimate fusion of style and sophistication and swap out the stale for the stellar! Don't miss out on this exclusive opportunity to elevate your wardrobe with luxury designs! Mark your calendars, bring your friends, and get ready to indulge in style. Downstairs - this month's sale includes all adult and children's outerwear, snow gear and shoes. Buy one, get one free, all adult/children's jeans and pants. Follow us on Facebook for sneak peeks and up to date information. OPEN Mon 8:30 am-12:00 pm, Wed 8:30 am-12 pm.3-6pm, Sat: 8:30am-2 pm J O i n C l i n t O n t O W n s h i p ' s C O m m u n i t y e m e r G e n C y r e s p O n s e t e a m ! Your Community Needs YOU! As a trained member of CERT, you'll supply critical support to our community's first responders (EMTs, f i r e f i g h t e r s a n d p o l i c e ) d u r i n g e m e r g e n c i e s a n d l a r g e p u b l i c e v e n t s : h u r r i c a n e s , l a r g e f i r e s , Clinton Christmas parade, Haunted Mill, Lebanon July 4th parade, etc. We ask for a one, to two-hour a month commitment – but remember: your training benefits you 24/7 and can help in home emergencies if a loved one is ever in need. Membership is free, the training is free, and your satisfaction will be priceless! For more info, contact Steve Krommenhoek, Clinton Township CERT coordinator, at: 732.357.5516 or email: OEM@clintontwpnj.org. Planning for lasting retirement income requires a thoughtful strategy, especially with factors like longevity, market volatility and evolving lifestyle needs in play. As retirement approaches, one of the most common questions people face is: "How much can I safely withdraw from my savings each year?" For decades, the 4% rule has served as a widely accepted guideline. The premise is straightforward: withdraw 4% of your total savings in the first year of retirement, then adjust that amount annually for inflation. While the 4% rule offers a straightforward framework, it doesn't account for the many variables that can affect your retirement income needs. For example, the age at which you retire plays a significant role. Retiring earlier means your savings need to last longer. Market performance is another key factor. Extended downturns could deplete your funds faster, while strong markets might allow for more flexibility. And of course, no one can predict exactly how long they'll live, which makes it difficult to plan with certainty. Given these uncertainties, it's worth exploring additional strategies to help ensure your retirement income is both reliable and sustainable. Seek reliable income sources. Social Security provides a dependable monthly income for life. If you're fortunate enough to have a pension, that's another steady source. But for many retirees, these alone may not be enough. Annuities can help fill the gap by offering guaranteed income for a set period – or even for life. Whether you're covering essentials like housing or healthcare or simply seeking peace of mind, annuities can be a valuable part of your retirement plan. Annuities are a complex investment product, so it is important to consult a financial advisor before incorporating them into your strategy to determine if they're the right fit for your situation. E m b r a c e f l e x i b l e s p e n d i n g . A flexible, dynamic spending approach allows retirees to adjust withdrawals based on personal circumstances and market performance. Unlike the fixed 4% rule, this strategy adapts to real-life circumstances. For example, during strong market years, a retiree might feel comfortable taking out more to fund a major purchase or experience. In contrast, during downturns, they might scale back spending to preserve their portfolio. This method helps extend the longevity of retirement savings while allowing for a more responsive and personalized financial plan. It requires regular review and a willingness to adapt, but it can offer greater sustainability and peace of mind over the long term. The bucketing strategy. Some retirees prefer a "bucketing" approach to manage their savings. This strategy divides assets into three time-based buckets: • Bucket 1: Holds two to three years of cash in liquid accounts, untouched by market volatility. • Bucket 2: Contains three to four years of short- term investments with modest risk and return, used to replenish bucket 1 as needed. • Bucket 3: Invested in long-term growth assets like stocks and diversified funds, designed to outpace inflation and grow over time. As the third bucket appreciates, funds are gradually moved into the second and then the first, creating a sustainable flow of income. This layered approach can offer peace of mind by aligning investment risk with time-based spending needs. Tailor your strategy to fit your life. There's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to retirement income. Your lifestyle, goals, and risk tolerance should ultimately guide your strategy. Your financial advisor can help you evaluate the pros and cons of each strategy and build a plan that supports both your current needs and long-term financial health. Michelle Heide, CFP ® , CRPC ® , BFA, is a Private Wealth Advisor with Gentlestone Wealth, a financial/private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC, located at 16 Leigh Street in Clinton. She specializes in fee-based financial planning and asset management strategies and has been in practice for 32 years. To contact her, go to: www. GentlestoneWealthampf.com or call 908.713.6600. Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the CFP ® certification mark, the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ certification mark, and the CFP ® certification mark (with plaque design) logo in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board's initial and ongoing certification requirements. Ameriprise Financial, Inc. and its affiliates do not offer tax or legal advice. Consumers should consult with their tax advisor or attorney regarding their specific situation. Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Investment products are not insured by the FDIC, NCUA or any federal agency, are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by any financial institution, and involve investment risks including possible loss of principal and fluctuation in value. Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2026 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. File # AMP8567647.1- (Approved until 12/31/2027) Ameriprise Financial cannot guarantee future financial results. Securities offered by Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC. Member FINRA and SIPC. © 2025 Ameriprise Financial, Inc. All rights reserved. 16 Leigh St, Units 1b & 1c Clinton, NJ 08809 gentlestonewealth@ampf.com gentlestonewealthampf.com Call us today to get started 908.713.6600 Gentlestone Wealth A private wealth advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, LLC Feel more confident about your financial future. i s t h e 4 % r u l e t h e r i G h t r e t i r e m e n t i n C O m e s t r a t e G y F O r y O u ? "February, the month of love, is a time to cherish the bonds that warm our hearts." ~ D.A. Blankinship v O l u n t e e r G u a r d i a n s h i p O n e O n O n e Volunteer Guardianship One on One is a non-profit organization founded in 1996 with a mission to provide compassionate one-on-one guardianship services to legally incapacitated adults through the education, oversight and support of dedicated volunteers. VGOO is the only nonprofit organization in NJ, and one of only a few in the country, that utilizes volunteers to serve as guardians for incapacitated adults with no one else to serve in this role. Because of our volunteers, older people with dementia and other adults with mental illness and developmental disabilities have someone that is committed to just one person and making sure that they are living their lives in a manner that reflects their wishes and values and ensures they are safe, their assets are protected, and they are not forgotten. www.VolunteerGuardianship.org.

• Cover