The problem is worse today than my parents’ generation because pensions in the private sector have been eliminated. VOLUNTARY 401-K plans have replaced the Majority of companies’ pensions. The 401-K was designed to mimic a pension’s retirement income. BUT only if YOU: 1. Start saving EARLY, in your 20’s, 2. Contribute a significant percentage of your compensation to your plan, 3. Work for a company that matches some portion of your ...
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RULE # 1: If your debt interest rate is higher than your targeted investment return, than prioritize paying off debt. Place your money where it does the most good. https://wealthbuildingpowers.com/2018/04/05/four-steps-to-achieve-financial-freedom-by-becoming-debt-free/ If you want to invest in the S&P 500 ETF, which averages about eight to ten percent annual returns you should prioritize paying off HIGH INTEREST credit card debt which can be as high as ~30%. The good news, student loan interest ...
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I write my annual goals each January, including Net-Worth target. When I started calculating and setting an annual net-worth target, I took better control of my wealth creation. Calculating your 2019 December, net-worth is like taking a picture of a house you are rehabbing. From that picture you determine the improvements you plan to work towards for the next 12 months THREE KEY REASONS Net - worth is the most ...
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A large percentage of today’s retirees are facing a “longevity crisis” and outliving their savings. Some of my friends are facing this very real crisis. One spent the bulk of his 401K on his three kids’ college education. Because he loves his children. Two have small pensions and are financially struggling. Another is afraid he cannot afford to retire. When you add in the risk of catastrophe illness, their risk ...
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ONE OF THE WORSE MISTAKES YOU CAN MAKE WITH YOUR 401- K WHEN CHANGING JOBS Several years ago, a good friend confided she cashed out her 401K and spent the money. At the time I thought an unwise decision. But of course being less diplomatic (hard to believe right) I said something more in the line of: YOU DID #$@% WHAT ? I was reminded of this story last week, when I ...
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BEST WEDDING PRESENT! This weekend we are attending the wedding of my college best friend, Clifton’s son. The couple will have college loans as the bride is currently in Medical School. As parents, Clifton and I ponder the choice of paying for an expensive wedding versus INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE. And as two financially conservative men, we advise reducing the wedding size and cost and investing the money. AVERAGE ...
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It is estimated the lack of financial literacy, cost Americans ~ $300 billion in 2018, or three Bill Gates’ fortunes. While financial literacy is not rocket science, 63% of Americans are considered "financially illiterate." People who are financially illiterate have difficulty applying financial decision-making skills to every day real-life situations. SO WHAT EXACTLY IS FINANCIAL LITERACY? Financial literacy is understanding all aspects of money, such as: taxes, savings, paying bills, retirement, budgeting, paying for ...
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What is the one thing we do not want to happen in retirement? I say death, but as this is an investment and finance blog- RUNNING OUT OF MONEY! Financial professionals recommend to maintain your current lifestyle in retirement, you need about 70-90% of your FINAL income, EACH YEAR. If your retirement final income is $100,000 you need $70,000 to $90,000 annual income. Because of the extension of life expectancy and ...
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In 2018, the Federal Government increased maximum allowable contributions to retirement plans, such as 401-K, IRA, ROTH IRA and SEP plans. Why is Congress being generous and increasing retirement contributions? A. Congress really cares about our welfare. They want to help taxpayers. B. This is an automatic inflationary increase. Congress makes inflationary increases to contribution limits biannually. C. Congress is worried and panicking majority of Americans cannot afford to retire and will further ...
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