When you Google “retirement planning” you typically get results about 401ks or investing. On the search topic of retirement, you get few results on how to plan for, transition into, and/or prudently sustain income once retired. The term “retirement” brings to mind, and Google finds results on, the savings and investing part. However, the use […]
1-minute video: Is (a Little) Debt a Good Thing? Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). I make a subtle, but important distinction, with debt categories in the post “Basic Steps to Reducing Debt.” I refer to both education and car […]
Illustration: The Aesop Tale of the Hare and the Tortoise The flaws of comparing two different things using just one metric … Should you try to compare different investments with each other simply by balances alone? Markets have been going up [at the time I write this] and people feel good when they look at […]
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). A primer on how compounding works. Over time, the effect is to have the money earned on your money, including interest, grow into ever larger sums. But, this takes time, so the sooner you […]
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). For those over age 62, a reverse mortgage may be a useful tool. Fundamentally, they turn an illiquid asset into money you can spend. However, they shouldn’t be used “just because you can,” but […]
https://stocksnap.io/author/directmedia Working and Social Security Benefits Most people are not aware of the Social Security earnings test, or income limits, if they claim benefits while still working prior to reaching their Full Retirement Age (FRA) [FRA is THE MONTH & YEAR you are eligible for 100% benefits. Before FRA, benefits are reduced. After FRA, benefits […]
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). When it comes to retirement, most people have as their fundamental goal to maintain their lifestyle, or what I call their Standard of Individual Living (SOIL). But, just what is your lifestyle today? How […]
Who doesn’t love their HSA? Contributions are made with nontaxed money, investments build up free from current income tax, and distributions are tax free if spent on qualified medical expenses. As a savings vehicle they can’t be beat. In fact, savvy investors use these accounts primarily as a savings vehicle rather than the purpose for […]
Please enjoy this 1-minute video (for those receiving this by email: please click on the blog title line above to view). Imagine what it is like flying to the moon. The moon is right there, you just fly to it! Right? Except, where the moon is now, is NOT where it will be when you […]
Please note: The purpose of this simple exercise is to get the BIG PICTURE about your lifestyle and the total amount you spend … in the first place! Go from general impressions of your lifestyle to informed insights via the easy exercise explained below. Why is this important? Because it is easy to fall into […]
