Your Five-Year Plan
When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the idea that whatever I chose to do at any moment could change my life forever. I’m not talking about which sports to play or what to say to the cute girl in my class. No, I was focused on what would happen if I snapped my fingers or raised my …
Briefcase Study: Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?
Do you make New Year’s Resolutions? Do you also keep New Year’s Resolutions? I’m not a big resolutions guy, but I’m happy to hear from others who’ve had a resolution actually stick. A friend of mine started a resolution to floss his teeth daily starting on January 1st, 2012, and hasn’t missed a day since. When you read this, assuming …
Back to the Basics: New Year Reflection
New Year Reflection: The Mexican Fisherman and the American Businessman As we embark on another year, it’s natural to think about our goals and ambitions—working harder, saving more, and striving for greater ‘success’. But amidst this drive, it’s worth pausing to reflect on what we truly want out of life. One story that captures this sentiment beautifully is the parable …
Why Do Retirees Feel Busier Than When They Had Jobs?
Have you heard of Parkinson’s Law? This principle states that “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion.” This concept could shed light on the bewilderment many retirees experience. When individuals transition into retirement, they suddenly have more time for tasks and activities. Paradoxically, this newfound time can lead to an overwhelming sense of busyness, as …
The Need to Learn Cursive and Math
In today’s digital age, many people argue against the need to memorize facts for tests or everyday tasks. The rationale often goes, “I’ll be okay as long as I know where to find the information.” With resources like Google at our fingertips, it’s easy to see the merit in this perspective. However, consider this: what happens when you give a …
Can I Save Too Much for Retirement?
When it comes to retirement preparedness, countless studies indicate that many baby boomers are woefully unprepared. As a general demographic, they face the grim possibility of struggling with poverty in their later years, or even being unable to retire at all. It’s a sobering reality, but it raises an interesting question to the contrary: can someone actually save too much …
Long Term Care Insurance and Health Insurance – Not Your Average Topic
For those who are approaching the later stages of life, insurance is a big deal. And with politics endlessly in the news, politicians from all sides continue to debate what’s best for the “average American.” Unfortunately, these discussions often lead to gridlock, fueled by competing perspectives, and a system riddled with flaws. While there may be no straightforward solutions to …
The New Inheritance Trend
As college costs continue to rise and the job market becomes increasingly tech-driven, many families with young children are feeling the weight of financial uncertainty. The very education their kids need to thrive appears to be slipping out of reach, with alarming stories of graduates burdened by hefty student loans as they embark on adulthood. This situation leaves parents and …
Five Tax Strategies to Help Your Money Last in Retirement
The intricacies of tax planning are a critical component of your overall retirement strategy. Minimizing taxes in retirement isn’t just about reducing today’s tax bill — it’s about ensuring that your hard-earned money lasts longer and that you can draw from your assets efficiently. By applying a logical, data-driven approach, you can create a retirement tax strategy that maximizes your income and …
Timing Your Retirement and Remaining Retired
Retirement means something a bit different to everyone. To some, it’s a financial finish line. To others, retirement represents a transition from paid work to volunteer work. Whatever it means to you and those close to you, retirement happens, whether by choice or by force. As a person nears ‘retirement age’, a litany of decisions arise that must be carefully …
