How are you going to pay for retirement? How is everyone else doing it? What is the average retirement income for 2021? Has it changed a lot from past years with the pandemic? Are you anywhere close to average? 2020 was a devastating year for the finances of many households. And surprisingly, it was also…
There are a lot of hurdles to overcome when figuring out how to retire early — before 65. However, early retirement health care is one of the most fiscally challenging. Medical care is going to be expensive no matter when you retire, but the picture is more serious for those who retire early, by choice…
In some cases a year can make a huge difference. Think back to 2019. It was certainly different than 2020 (to say the least). But sometimes years go by and not all that much has changed. Knowing when to retire is a huge decision. It can be easy to put it off a year and…
Early retirement is a dream for many. However, a really early retirement is fairly rare. According to research published on LIMRA, only about 20% of all Americans retire in their 50s or before — with most of those happening after age 55. For those that do retire early, figuring out how to fund expenses can…
Authors Amanda Lambert, a geriatric care manager and consultant, and Leslie Eckford, a licensed clinical social worker and RN with a focus in mental and geriatric health, have published Choose Your Place, Rethinking Home as You Age. The book is great for anyone who is thinking about retirement and is willing to consider where they…
All kinds of things happen to our brains and bodies as part of the normal aging process. And while we might prefer to ignore getting old, sometimes it is useful to know what might happen in the future so we can make better plans now. Researchers have discovered that as we get older, core financial…
If you are in your 50s or 60s, you are probably hoping to find the fountain of youth. However, when you plan your golden years it is best to retire like an adult. Retiring like an adult gives you the financial freedom to pursue the life you want — even if that means doing things…
Some might believe that the hokey pokey really is what it is all about. Yoga and mindfulness mavens chant “om” as a long and happy life mantra. Others sing super cali fragilistic expealidocious and, “if said loud enough,” will at least sound precocious. However, the residents of the Japanese island of Okinawa have other words…
Keeping your retirement savings on track helps you meet your retirement goals. That seems like a very simple concept, and in a way it is. But living with that plan every day isn’t quite so simple. Knowing how much one should save for retirement is useful — it can motivate you to take action. And…
Let’s get real about investing in real estate for retirement. Investing of any kind can be complicated at any point in your life. However, investing in or near retirement can be especially arduous. At retirement you need your assets to be relatively free of risk while keeping pace with inflation. In many cases, you need…
They were wrong. The answer to the question does money buy happens is… yes! In fact, the research is overwhelming. And, there are actually multiple ways to spend to increase happiness. Here are 11 ways to spend money to buy happiness. The following 11 tips are valuable whether you are 75, 65, 55 or 15!…
As you look for signs of recovery from the economic turmoil of the pandemic, you’ll want to keep your eye on a few economic indicators that are usually seen as bad news. Why? Well, because in the topsy turvy world we live in today, bad news may actually be good news. Rising Unemployment Rising unemployment…
There is no right answer for whether to purchase long-term care insurance. In fact, long term care insurance pros and cons are pretty balanced. Many people opt not to purchase it because it costs too much or they simply don’t know enough about it. While others want to assurances that they will be taken care…
Want to know how to take control of your finances? Ask some smart people who are managing their own finances and actively planning for a secure future. On the NewRetirement Facebook group (join now), we recently asked: “What is one action you have taken that has improved your financial life?” How to Take Control of…
Most people think of financial planning as a source of stress. If this is you, I have news for you: you have it ALL wrong. Creating and following a financial plan is a great way to REDUCE your stress. In fact, financial planning activities are guaranteed to release the four key hormones –dopamine, seratonin, oxytocin…
The Internal Revenue Service (I.R.S.) is not usually thought of as an institution that adds a lot of value to our lives — to the contrary in fact. However, a few years ago, the researchers at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College came up with a simple and relatively safe retirement withdrawals strategy…
What Is a Self-Directed IRA? A Self Directed IRA is a type Individual Retirement Account (IRA) that allows you to invest in a really wide variety of alternative investments. Traditional IRAs require that you invest in traditional asset classes — mainly stocks, bonds, funds, treasuries, annuities and certificates of deposit. Self Directed IRAs and Self…
Financial planning is probably not on your top ten list for how to spend your time. However, getting your hands around your finances and planning a secure future retirement can make you feel great. And, it doesn’t have to be hard. Here is your complete retirement planning guide. This simple eight step plan will help…
Everyone knows that if you want to achieve something, you had better set a goal. However, very few Americans actually do or even know how to set financial goals. According to Schwab’s Modern Wealth Index, only 25% of people have some sort of written plan or goals. What’s worse? The Financial Health Network finds that…
In 2020, Fidelity reported that the majority of people who were making financial resolutions for the new year wanted to achieve a debt free life. While fortunes have shifted after the pandemic, it is still a very worthy goal. Not sure how to get out of debt? You have options. Based on my experience, there…
Feeling frazzled by holiday fanfare? Do you also have nagging worries about your retirement plans? One of the best ways to control stress of any kind is to make a list and check it twice. And we have done that for you. Here is a handy yearly retirement checklist — 24 things you should do…
Another gift guide? Yep! But, this one is focused on long term financial success and retirement happiness — not cool gadgets and warm sweaters — for everyone on your list, young and old. Great Gifts for Kids of Any Age Shares of an Index Fund Let’s say that you have a child who is 10…
When planning retirement, you need to somehow prepare for many different kinds of unpredictable possibilities — inflation rates, stock market fluctuations and the prospect of a long-term care need for example. Any of these could have a dramatic impact on your finances. However, have you considered how the possibility of climate change might impact your…
This has been a year like no other. As you prepare to say a big buh-bye to 2020, use this list of year-end tax planning tips for 2020 and beyond to help launch you into a better future. In 2020, the rules were updated for everything from tax withholding to socializing. While we can’t help…
This year family gatherings may be different (more Zoom, less slobbery kisses and heart felt hugs), but it will undoubtedly feel more important than ever to celebrate togetherness. While the focus of our gatherings will still be on love and celebration, the holidays are also an opportunity for discussions related to family and money. Like…