Most people think that planning for retirement ends on their last day at work. But in reality, all of the planning you did up until that point—figuring out when you want to retire, how much you need to save each year, when to claim Social Security—is only the first phase of retirement preparation. On the day you…
What To Do When You Receive an Unexpected Windfall
If you’ve ever come into an unexpected windfall—maybe a bigger than expected tax refund or a much-anticipated inheritance—you probably know that feeling of giddiness. It’s an exciting feeling, thinking of all the things you can buy, maybe a new car or that kitchen remodel. The problem is, that feeling won’t last long. Ever heard of…
The Cost of Tapping Your Retirement Accounts Early
When money’s tight and times are tough, it can be difficult for retirement savers to ignore the money they’ve stashed in a 401(k), IRA or other retirement savings account. Still, while it may make sense in some situations to tap into those accounts early—for example, if a job loss has put you at risk of…
5 Ways to Guard Against Rising Interest Rates
Interest rates are finally beginning to rise after decades of historically low rates, a development that if left unchecked can torpedo the investment portfolios and finances of the unprepared. But if you know what steps to take, you can contain the damage and keep your portfolio and your overall financial situation from taking on too…
The Danger of Using “Alternative Facts” When Planning Your Retirement
Planning for retirement, well the saving part anyways, seems to be one of those things far too many of us put off doing, or make a half-hearted attempt at setting a meaningful amount of money aside to be able to retire someday. Well financially independent at least. Instead, we use “alternative facts”, or false narratives that we…
10 Essential Things to Consider if You Want To Retire Soon
If you plan to retire soon or are at least considering it, now is a good time to check your retirement readiness by reviewing these ten essential pre-retirement questions and “to-dos.” Getting clarity on each of these will go a long way to help ensure your retirement is successful, not only from a financial standpoint but also…
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