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…
The 50th NewRetirement podcast! This time, Steve Chen is joined by guest Dana Anspach — Certified Financial Planner™, author, and the founder of Sensible Money — and discusses her practice and approach to retirement income planning. Listen Now: Don’t miss out on future episodes: subscribe on iTunes subscribe on Stitcher And, join our private Facebook…
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…
One of the greatest threats to retirement today may not be saving too little, but owing too much. According to the Federal Reserve Bank, Boomers (Americans born between 1946 and 1964), are carrying ballooning amounts of debt into retirement.Will your debt take a big bite our of your retirement? For many people, that debt is…
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…
The government raised reverse mortgage lending limits to an all time high. Does this mean more money for you? It depends…
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…
Episode 49 of the NewRetirement podcast is an interview with Ashley Whillans — assistant professor at Harvard Business School and author of Time Smart: How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life — and discusses how to think about and value your scarcest resource, your time. Listen Now: Don’t miss out on future…
The holidays are the time we come together to give thanks and celebrate. It can also be a stressful time full of demands to cook, decorate and spend money. Sometimes the stresses crowd out the fun, so we have to remember to take time to be thankful and practice gratitude for our blessings. And, it…
Joe Biden is now President elect. There are several ways a Biden presidency might affect your retirement, including lower tax benefits on 401(k) accounts and more generous Social Security benefits. Biden’s Plan for Older Americans gives specific details on what Biden would like to do as President to overhaul the nation’s retirement system, shore up…
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) are not only a way to help great causes and those in need, but they are also a way to manage your tax exposure and avoid unpleasant surprises. For people who are at least 70 ½, and who don’t need income (or who simply want to avoid the income tax) from…
Don’t worry, be happy… about your retirement. The last few months have been an emotional rollercoaster for many people, and you may be feeling constantly stressed about your finances. You’re probably asking yourself, do I have enough money to be happy in retirement? If you are worried, you’re not alone. According to a survey conducted…
You may have seen the news: Interest rates in the United States are at historic lows. That sounds great. But is it really? What are the effects of low interest rates on your retirement? Read on to see the pros and cons of low interest rates on your retirement plan. And, how to make the…
Retirement tax planning is a critical part of preparing for a secure future. The good news is that with so many possible retirement income sources, you have many different opportunities to potentially reduce your tax burden. And, you may even discover that reducing taxes can enable you to retire a little earlier than you might…
We all love reading lists of the best places to retire. They interest us, peak wanderlust and they make us think about what is possible in retirement. Besides, deciding if one of the best places to retire is in your own home or somewhere far away is a really BIG and somewhat complicated decision. Browsing…
Very few people are experts at managing their finances, planning retirement, building wealth, and ensuring a secure future. Effective money management is often perceived as being: 1) too hard, 2) not immediately important, 3) something you can tackle next year or 4) too expensive (if you think you need to hire an advisor). In fact,…
How to make sense of retirement planning? Here is your guide to the 16 retirement numbers that are most important for a secure future.