If you’ve followed markets or financial news, especially in the past few years, you may have come across the term “fear of missing out,” commonly abbreviated to FOMO. When markets keep going up, FOMO can start to creep in. It can start to feel like you’re leaving gains on the table by not rebalancing your portfolio to include the ultra-high growth assets that saw big jumps. The desire to get as much as you can from [...]
If your weekly grocery bill is noticeably higher or you can’t believe how expensive gas is, you’re not alone. Inflation is at 40-year highs,[1] and a recent poll found that 52% of Americans said the most important issue facing the country is inflation.[2] It’s significant that so many Americans recognized inflation as a major threat considering how unpredictable that market has been. Inflation presents unique risks, so it’s important to know how you’ll respond to them. [...]
You’ll likely have several sources of income in retirement that can be taxed, such as IRA distributions and Social Security benefits. But, do you have any after-tax “buckets” that you can use strategically in retirement to help reduce your tax bill? There may be a few options available to you, so know how they work. How is a Roth IRA Different from a Traditional IRA? Many people contribute pre-tax dollars to a traditional IRA during their [...]
You might have been aiming to save a certain amount for retirement - and maybe you’ve already achieved that goal. But, considering inflation, an unpredictable market, and a lack of guaranteed income once your paycheck stops, you might be reconsidering whether you’ve actually saved enough. There are a few reasons why today’s retirees might fear running out of money and why they need to have a financial plan. Inflation at 40-Year Highs Daily life is arguably [...]
Did you ever hear your parents or grandparents talk about how much less everything used to cost? They weren’t exaggerating - in 1960, a gallon of conventional whole milk was 31 cents, and today it’s $3.77 on average.[1] A few dollars might not seem like much, but that’s a 1,116% increase. You’ve likely noticed higher prices recently, even if they aren’t 1,116% higher. Unfortunately, you can’t stop inflation. But, you can prepare by working to protect [...]
When we think of major retirement expenses, we often consider housing, healthcare, and that trip of a lifetime we’ve been dreaming about for years. But, we often fail to consider what could potentially be our biggest expense – taxes. Many of your sources of income in retirement are taxable, so don’t overlook these three unexpected taxes in retirement. Tax on Your Social Security Benefit Although you’ve paid into Social Security your entire working life, your benefit [...]
We’ve come a long way from trading pelts and seashells as currency, and there have been many changes to how we produce and use currency between then and now. The value of currency and inflation affect us all, as we’ve seen recently at the gas pump and the grocery store. Here’s what we can learn about our present from the history of money. Inflation Then and Now Inflation is nothing new. The ancient Romans caused inflation [...]
General retirement planning advice says that you’ll need about 80% of your pre-retirement income in retirement, but this may not be the case for everyone. Inflation, taxes, and long-term care costs are easily overlooked - but these expenses could be high. When creating your retirement budget, don’t forget to include these three expenses. Taxes: How Much Will You Pay in the Future? It’s easy to forget about taxes after you file, but it’s important to think [...]
The Federal Reserve voted to raise interest rates for the first time since 2018 and has several more rate hikes planned for this year.[1] Rising interest rates can have significant effects on the economy and your finances. Between a volatile market, high inflation, and rising interest rates, know how you’ll respond. The Federal Reserve Raising Interest Rates for the First Time Since 2018 The Federal Reserve recently voted to raise interest rates for the first time [...]
When we think of milestone birthdays, we often think of ones that are already behind us – like 18 and 30. But there are plenty of important birthdays ahead of you, especially as you near and enter retirement. Starting at age 50, several birthdays are critical to acknowledge because they can have implications for your retirement and tax situation. Age 50 At age 50, workers can make annual “catch-up” contributions in addition to their normal contributions. [...]