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Rising Costs in Retirement: Are You Prepared?
May 24, 2021 | Financial Planning, Retirement Planning
In 1960, a gallon of milk cost 36 cents, and today it costs $3.35 on average.[1] Inflation is to blame, and we could see higher inflation in the coming years. It’s important to have a sense of how much you’ll need to spend in retirement, but this is difficult when...
3 Things to Think About Before Buying a Vacation Home
May 21, 2021 | Financial Planning, Investing Strategies
A home is one of the most significant purchases you’ve made in your lifetime, so you should take your time when thinking about buying a second one. Many people have a favorite vacation spot in a scenic area, but they can’t spend a significant amount of time there...
How Much Do You Need to Save for Retirement?
May 17, 2021 | Financial Planning, Retirement Income, Retirement Planning
While $1 million is sometimes cited as the ideal number for retirement savings, this assumes a one-size-fits-all approach to retirement planning. Everyone's retirement goals are unique, and preparing for retirement might not be as simple as saving a certain...
Have You Factored Inflation into Your Retirement Plan?
May 10, 2021 | Economy, Financial Planning, Retirement Planning
We’ve seen increased government spending due to COVID and significant increases in government debt. Some economists theorize that this could lead to increased inflation, and many claim that we are already seeing the effects. Although the official inflation rate may...
Will You Have to Retire Earlier Than You Expected To?
May 7, 2021 | Financial Planning, Retirement Planning
If you’re nearing retirement age and know you’re not financially prepared for retirement, your solution may be to work longer. While forgoing an early retirement can be prudent, your career might not last as long as you’d like it to. The pandemic and resulting...
Prepare for Taxes On Your Retirement Accounts
May 3, 2021 | Retirement Income, Retirement Planning, Taxes
The Biden administration has already spent $1.9 trillion on COVID relief and has plans to spend trillions more on infrastructure projects, Medicaid expansion, education, and climate investments. In order to fund these projects, the administration has proposed...
Is It Time to Spring Clean Your Financial House?
Apr 26, 2021 | Financial Planning
If you spring clean your house, why not take some time to spring clean your finances too? If you have a 401(k), IRA, or other retirement account, this is especially important. Managing this area of your finances isn’t a ‘set it and forget it’ activity. Here’s how you...
Have You Solved Your Retirement Puzzle?
Apr 23, 2021 | Retirement Planning
Have you ever been totally stumped by a puzzle or brain-teaser? Maybe that’s why we’re impressed by people who can solve a Rubix Cube in seconds, or finish a thousand-piece jigsaw puzzle, or do the Sunday crossword puzzle in pen. But, if you talk to a lifelong puzzle...
Don’t Forget About These Big Retirement Expenses
Apr 19, 2021 | Financial Planning, Retirement Planning
The rule of thumb says you’ll need about 80% of your pre-retirement income in retirement, but everyone is different. Many retirees want to upgrade their lifestyle in retirement or maintain their current lifestyle. In fact, a recent study shows that about one in three...
Win the Retirement Lottery Without Winning the Lottery
Apr 16, 2021 | Financial Planning, Retirement Planning
There are so many stories about entertainers, athletes, and lottery winners who have all lost their fortunes and ended up bankrupt. Each one of these people lost millions of dollars, and in many cases, enough money to last an average family for generations. When these...