Every now and then, I meet someone who tells me, “I love my work. And because of that, I’m not wild about the idea of ‘retirement.’ To me, that sounds like punishment, not paradise. Yet every time I go see my financial planner, retirement is all he talks about! Tell me: If I’m NOT planning […]
“Get to Work” vs. “Gotta Work” Read More »
You’re in your 50s, and you plan to retire within the next ten to fifteen years. What should you expect with regard to future healthcare costs? Expect to pay more. In 2022, overall health spending in the U.S. was $13,493 per capita, or a staggering $4.5 trillion (that’s “trillion” with a T). And healthcare costs—as
Don’t Let Health Costs Lead to Wealth Loss Read More »
Can working a few years longer really make a big financial difference for retirees? Perhaps more than you might think. A couple recently asked me to help them evaluate their retirement options. I’ve changed the names and numbers to protect the innocent (or insolvent). Bob and his wife Vicky are 60. Their house is paid
The Surprising Benefits of Delaying Your Retirement Read More »
It’s common to hear people say, “Fifty is the new forty” or even “Sixty is the new forty.” For the record, this isn’t some kind of “new math.” It’s a way of saying that people are doing certain things later in life—the kinds of things previously reserved for younger adults. Think of your neighbor who
Seventy is the New Sixty-Five Read More »
A few years ago, Bob retired early because he was convinced he had enough money to fund his golden years. Now he’s not so sure. Each time he withdraws money from his portfolio, he sees his balance dip and feels his blood pressure rise. (And he nearly passes out when the market suddenly drops.) Because
Three Questions for Nervous Retirees Read More »
As people near retirement, most ask some version of this question: “What financial risks should I watch out for in this next chapter of my life?” The answer is not that complicated: Many of the same risks you face now—plus a couple more. Here’s why that’s interesting: If you are about to voluntarily retire, you
How to Sleep Better in Retirement Read More »
They were an easy-going couple who rarely squabbled—UNTIL he suggested they create (and live by) a budget. Each time he gently brought up the subject, she got defensive. He walked away muttering to himself. They remind me of a story I heard John Maxwell tell. A friend showed him a list of New Year’s resolutions:
Why It’s Hard to Change Financial Habits Read More »
Mark Gungor is a popular marriage conference speaker. In one humorous presentation, he explains the different ways men and women think. Women, Gungor contends, think in a very global, integrated, complex way. Their thoughts and feelings constantly interact together. Men, on the other hand, are much simpler. According to Gungor, we males think in separate
A Better Way to Think About Funding Your Kids’ Education Read More »
Someone recently said to me, “Your columns and emails haven’t been very upbeat lately. You turning pessimistic on us?” Me, pessimistic? Never! The word “pessimism” comes from a Latin root meaning “worst.” Seeing things in the “worst” possible light doesn’t do anyone any good. The mantra for pessimists is “Why even try? Nothing ever works
Pessimistic, Optimistic, or Realistic? Read More »
Susan’s getting close to retirement. She has money in two mutual funds and in a traditional IRA. Susan loved the tax break she got annually on her IRA contributions while she was working. But now she’s realizing she’ll have to pay taxes on that money when she starts withdrawing it. Consequently, as she plans for
Thinking About Taxes and Retirement Read More »
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