Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Work Less Live Longer

Study

If it seems to conflict with the idea that being idle is bad for your health it appears that there is a solid middle ground where some work is good but too many hours will harm you. 

They needed a study to figure that out?  This is common sense and has been observable throughout history.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Can Saving for Retirement Wait?

Common Advice is wrecking finances

It's always best to have incremental goals as part of your retirement planning

1 Million Recommendation 

Long before retirement planning came along many people found a way  live out their lives at whatever level they had to.  You can do the same but keep in mind that some sacrifices now can make all the difference for you in later years where work isn't an option.

The High Cost of Low Risk

Important to know and understand - the High Cost

If you relied on bonds, savings accounts, or annuity investments you know how low interest rates have hurt you.  The best answer seems to be diversification according to all the experts. 


1 in 5 Americans over 65 still waiting to retire

1 in 5

It's great to hear all about numbers and how important it is to keep working.  The one thing you can get out of this article that stands out the most is to have a skill that allows you to avoid physical labor.  Even with that unless you're able to be self employed you may find that age may be an obstacle for being hired.  Answer, look to have a sideline business long before you retire so that you can always use that as a means of making up an shortfalls you may have.

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

News: Savers Daunting Challenge for Retirement, Health Care Costs, 4 Retirement Rules to Live By

The task

Health Care Costs at Every Age

Millennials going for faster and cheaper alternatives to primary doctors

4 Retirement Rules to Live by

Preparing for the Next Crisis

Are you?

Preparing for a financial crisis is difficult for those with money.  Those without it have much more to worry about just week to week.

Trump Executive Order on Retirement Security

Anything that makes it easier for small companies to offer retirement accounts to employees is a good thing.


5 Retirement Pitfalls

You Want to Avoid

This is a good article and covers what is commonly suggested but it does state it in a clear and insightful way.

In short:

Lack of Money - we know this one.

Lack of Permission - read the article for the understanding.

Isolation - a common occurrence not easily handled or prevented without effort.

Milestones - read the article but know that we all live by them.  I did and still do at times.

Self Worth - Relevance and feeling valued can make even a tight financial life worthwhile.


West Virginia: Vacation or Retirement

WVA the mountaineer State

I thought often of retiring there but now the considerations of health care and ease of living come into play and you wonder if a four foot snow that blocks you into your 1/4 mile dirt road drive is something you can tolerate at 70+ years.  I haven't reached that yet but already have found that the prospect of winters in the hills just isn't what I used to think of it.

Still, it's a beautiful state to visit and have a cabin in the woods for summer and fall excursions.  If you are thinking of retiring there plan well.

Saturday, October 6, 2018

Forget Retiring at 70 and Why Americans are Waiting Longer

Bach disagrees that 70 is the new retirement age

I agree with Bach.  Plan to exit work as soon as you can afford to do so.  You can always stay on or find part time work if needed but to imagine you'll be full of energy at 70 to enjoy your retirement is a laugh.  Our physiology has changed a bit in the last 100 years and the only thing keeping many alive past 70 is modern medicine.


Why Americans are Waiting Longer

It seems that on average that Americans are being duped, fooled, and manipulated into imagining they will live to be 100 and will need the money to survive.  What do you think happened back in the day when the safety net didn't exist.  People died too when their time came and if they were old, broke, and alone well it wasn't pretty but they found a way to get by even if it meant a hard landing at the end.

The truth is that even the rich now can only stave off the misery of old age so much and so long.  Even their turn comes and until that gap between the rich and the poor extends beyond let's say 10 or 15 years then of course there will be much pain to pay on a society level.


Wednesday, October 3, 2018

5 books to read that will help you retire early, Retired Early at 28, Retire in your 30's Millennial plan

5 books

Add these five to the tens of thousands out there that try to help you get there.

Here are the essentials.

Save regularly and invest.

Eliminate Debt.

Manage your spending habits but live life now as well.

Become self employed in a business that allows you to think of yourself as almost retired.

Work in a Government job that will pay you well when you quit and cover your health care costs.  Max out your savings.

She retired early at 28 - how

30's Millennial plan




Tuesday, October 2, 2018

Ugliest Trend in Retirement - Taking it on

Bankruptcy

It's bad enough you have to get old but to be old, broke, and bankrupt is a severe blow if you worked hard all your life to end up there.  This happens a lot and often it's a result of health care costs.

Sadly, many government agencies find it more desirable to fund those who never worked, saved, or even lived here most of their lives.  Keep in mind that you are on your own and take responsibility for finding a way to navigate through the last quarter of your life.  Owning your own land and home is a big start along with having no debt.  Beyond that, some secure means of saving and investing is your only option since social security is not going to usually handle more than a third of your expenses.