by Mark Stevens | Apr 16, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
“It’s a difficult pill to swallow when you realize you’ve made a financial mistake, particularly when it’s an avoidable one. Some of these mistakes can cripple your finances for years, so it’s crucial to be as informed as possible when making monetary decisions....
by Mark Stevens | Apr 15, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
As you head into and through your 50s, your retirement countdown begins in earnest. You are likely spending more time thinking about retirement and what it will look like. You may have a bucket list of things you want to experience, places you want to go, and projects...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
There’s a pretty good chance that your parents and grandparents retired just because they turned 65. Today’s retirement is a bit more complicated than that. While age is still an important factor, your ability to connect your financial resources to your lifestyle...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
Anyone who’s retired in the past 10 years has been very fortunate. They’ve experienced a massive bull market, and they may even have a higher net worth today than when they retired! I call that a Good Luck Sequence. But it won’t always be that way. Some people will...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
“How am I doing?” That’s a big question that most people have when it comes to their money. But don’t look to neighbors, friends, and family to see if you are on track or keeping pace. Instead, it’s important that you look at stats with the proper context. The...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
Imagine this scenario: You retire and begin receiving your retirement income. But the monthly numbers seem too small. Where did the money go? Have you been robbed? No one wants to get to retirement only to discover that their retirement income isn’t going to cover...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
Don’t Forget These Potential Sources of Retirement Income Planning your retirement income is like putting together a puzzle with many different pieces. However, your puzzle, your uncle’s puzzle, and your neighbor’s puzzle don’t all use the same pieces and may even...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
Most parents will say that they want to help their children as much as they can and give them every advantage. But what if “every advantage” comes at the expense of the parents’ retirement savings and investments? According to a survey by NerdWallet, 80% of parents...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
You’ve been diligently putting money away into a retirement savings plan for years. Congratulations! You are ahead of the majority of your peers! But, have you thought about the “how” in converting those savings to a retirement income? This is an area that is often...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
As part of our Life-Centered Planning process, we talk about how market volatility is a normal part of investing. We also discuss how we structure your investments to help “weather the storm” and provide a plan that seeks to help maintain a comfortable level of income...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
There are many reasons why people who could retire are hesitant to do so. Some people think they need to wait until they’re 65 or older. Some are worried about running out of money. Many parents want to keep supporting their children through some major life...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
How are you going to ensure a fulfilling life with the money you have once you retire? Study after study has shown that retirees who spend their time and money on experiences are much happier than those who just buy stuff. Charitable giving can be a particularly...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
Many soon-to-be retirees struggle to imagine their week without work. All those blank calendar days can be exciting, but they can also be overwhelming. But once you actually retire, you might find that your daily routine isn’t quite as different as you expected and...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
“Does this spark joy?” Millions of people are asking themselves this question about their homes and possessions thanks to Marie Kondo and her wildly popular decluttering philosophy. Once the kids move out, it’s just you, your spouse, and whatever is still boxed up in...
by Mark Stevens | Apr 8, 2020 | Finance, Retirement
Many folks who have just begun working with a CFP® are surprised by how the planning process starts. We don’t begin by talking about IRAs, 401(k)s, or how much you’re saving. Instead, we begin by talking about you, rather than your money. Putting Your Life Before Your...
