Can you believe summer is already over? It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating the New Year, and now we’re in autumn! Before we know it, the holiday season will be upon us once again. It’s a reminder that time really does fly, especially as we get older. It’s also a reminder…
As of Wednesday morning, lawmakers have made little progress towards averting a possible crisis. Again. Every month, there are plenty of things to talk about regarding the markets. This month, however, I want to give you a quick preview of something that may happen next month: A government shutdown. On September 30,…
Safe or Vault? Most people have never experienced a home break-in or a major house fire – but that doesn’t mean such events never happen. There are approximately 3,300 burglaries every day in the United States, and it’s common for the number to top one million in a year. And a study by the…
A single person age 65 in 2023 may need about $157,500 saved after taxes to cover health care expenses in retirement, according to Fidelity. In 2023, their estimate for an average retired couple aged 65 is around $315,000. The actual amount you’ll need will depend on many variables, including where you live during retirement, your…
Here’s a recent unexpected question I had. What happens to my credit score in retirement, and do I need it? The simple act of retiring does not affect your credit score. That’s good! Being employed is not part of the calculation. You do want a great credit score in three possible scenarios that…
Happy Labor Day! If you’re like many people, chances are you will wake up on Labor Day and make yourself a cup of coffee. It’s a time-honored tradition, performed unthinkingly by millions of people every single day. Maybe you’ll get the water boiling for a hot cup of pour-over. Maybe you prefer classic…
It seems I’ve had more folks than normal tell me they’re thinking about taking Social Security early. They have a myriad of reasons but of course they want to know what I think. There are some valid reasons to consider taking it early. Given that many don’t realize taking it early puts you in…
Recently, I was at Phil Long Ford Chapel Hills to get some service performed on one of our vehicles. I saw Chris Detone, the GM and managing partner, who’s helped us with many of our vehicles over the years. He gave me a tour of the huge remodel and upgrade that they are doing to that…
Embrace The Scenic Route At times, when we switch on the television or explore trends on social media, it can be overwhelming to see so much negativity and distressing news. Often, we wonder what world we’re shaping for the next generation. However, amidst these moments of doubt, a quote by the journalist Doug Larson…
Many of you felt somewhat vindicated with last year’s Social Security COLA of 8.7%. This recent article from the experts at Center for Retirement Research at Boston College gives us some hope on what to expect for the coming year. Quoting from the article, “The only option is to make some assumptions. “As…