You may have heard that people spend less once they are retired. Statistically, that is true. The question is whether a retiree has enough income to meet his or her expenses. From my experience there really is not a norm. It can go either way. Here’s the latest… To Your Best 2nd Half, …
DetailsFriday’s inauguration will mark another great opportunity for possible change in our country and the lives of millions. I’m excited! Here are some interesting trends and possibilities I’m thinking about. I’m hopeful we’ll all see some greatly needed change. Confidence surveys have soared since the election (Conference Board’s highest level since 2003). I hope this…
DetailsWe heard this week that Social Security will be pulling another reversal. Again they are going to stop sending statements to some age 60 or older. This decision has now been changed three times since 2011! What is clear is that you need to make sure you are monitoring your Social Security benefits. We found…
DetailsIt’s amazing how times have changed over my lifetime. Now that I have adult children I look back on how things were when I was growing up. We’ve all hoped that our children and each generation would do a bit better than the preceding one. The Census Bureau has released data showing that on several…
DetailsMeet the newest member of the Wealth Advisors team, Jenn Strehlow. Cathy and I are excited to have her on board. Jenn will be helping in a number of capacities. Many of you will talk with her when scheduling appointments. She grew up in Colorado Springs, is a graduate of the University of Colorado (UCCS)…
DetailsCalling each of these “mistakes” may be a bit harsh. Not all of them represent errors in judgment. Yet whether they result from ignorance or fate, we need to be aware of these as we plan for and enter your 2nd Half. Retirement may be a lot sweeter if you get these right. Read more……
DetailsI recently ran across this article on happiness and thought this excerpt was a great reminder. Researchers at the University of Vermont found that aerobic training of “moderate intensity,” with an average heart rate of around 112 beats a minute–elevated, sure, but it’s not like they were hammering away — improved participants’ mood for up…
DetailsMy daughter Julia brought me her phone over the weekend and said, “Daddy I want you to see this video.” I watched and was amazed at what she had created. As Julia walked away I thought, that’s just what I want each of you to do! Some of you are looking excitedly to your 2nd…
DetailsThe average Social Security recipient will get a $5 raise next year. Yes, a whopping $5 per month. In 2017, Social Security’s mean monthly benefit is projected to rise – from the current $1,355 – by this scant amount, all because of low yearly inflation measured by the federal government. Here’s our last 5 years…
DetailsI wrote about ticking tax bombs a couple of months ago. These land mines can lie dormant, hidden for years. In a flash, completely unexpected, they can blow up in your life. This may be the most important conversation and planning we do together. Read more… To Your Best 2nd Half, …
DetailsWhy stop working if you’re healthy and enjoying what you’re doing? A majority of boomers expect to work in their sixties and seventies, and that expectation may reflect their desire for engagement rather than any economic desperation. Baby boomers realize that their retirements may not unfold like those of their parents. New survey data from…
DetailsI’m grateful that most of the folks that I meet with are comfortably on their way to retirement or comfortably in retirement. I came across an article recently that reminded me of a number of conversations I’ve had over the years though. I hear stories of children (and grandchildren) that struggle financially. The article confirms…
DetailsYou may have worked 30-40 years waiting for the day to come and walk into the hopeful bliss of retirement. When that day comes; if you’re married and if you’re not on the same page, bliss can easily turn to regret if not agony. The most successful retirement couples I’ve worked with are those that…
DetailsWhen we look at the “Smart Money Ladder” there are only two choices at the very top. This is one of them. If you are solopreneur this is an option well worth considering. If you find yourself as a solopreneur (even part-time) you should look at the potential of the Roth Solo 401(k). If you…
DetailsThe smart money knows how devastating taxes can be to a good retirement plan. With the size of our national debt (and despite the best we can plan) the government (GOP or Dems) could decide to raise our taxes one day to handle the massive burden that continues to build every day. Our national debt…
DetailsIf you’ve experienced the passing of a loved one and become an executor (or personal representative) you know well the long list of issues that have to be confronted. If not, the article below will give you a head start. Depending on your family, estate, desires or other reasons the list may be longer for…
DetailsI hope you’ve had a great summer and are doing well. For us, school and homeschool are back in full swing. That means all the fun of volleyball, soccer, piano and whatever else the kids can convince us to take them to. It’s all good! Getting our family back into a regular routine is good…
DetailsI have conversations regularly about how to finance long-term care issues through your 2nd Half. Given the opportunity, I would much rather have conversations about being healthy and enjoying a long and meaningful 2nd Half. For many, I realize this isn’t always possible. Some I talk to don’t want to enjoy a long 2nd Half.…
DetailsMost all of us have either minor children or grandchildren that we want to bless at our death. The question arises regularly whether they should be named as a beneficiary with life insurance, IRA and Roth accounts, 401(k)’s and 403(b)’s and other accounts that have a beneficiary designation. Although this week’s article covers IRAs the…
DetailsMany of you are aware I went through the most difficult and challenging time of my life years ago during divorce. I have a special place in my heart for anyone who is going through this. The process can be devastating, the decisions overwhelming and seeing your children hurting and confused is agonizing. Read about the…
DetailsAfter writing about how sitting is the new smoking in February and October last year I wanted to try working from a standing desk. About two months ago I got my opportunity when my father-in-law was in town and he helped me build a standing desk over part of my original desk. At first it…
DetailsIs your “final file” missing, empty or just forgotten? Sadly, I find most are in some form of neglect. Last week I asked, “How much do you know about your loved one’s financial life?” This week we look at a list to get you prepared. This is one of those things that we all seem…
DetailsEasily one of the most frustrating issues is taking care of someone else’s business. Especially when they’re not prepared! This article is a helpful guide on preparing yourself and making sure your loved ones are prepared. Don’t let the nightmares that you hear from others become yours. Get prepared and be prepared. When documents are needed, they’re…
DetailsEmployers (big and small) are increasingly finding it difficult to maintain the pension benefits offered to so many employees over the years. In the last three years these are just some of the companies that have found the need to make changes in their pensions: AIG Boston Red Sox Washington Post United States Steel Kodak…
DetailsI’ve had many enjoyable cups of coffee with clients and friends through the years. This issue about organic or not has continually resurfaced over time. For me, this issue seems to have become much more prevalent in the last few months. With the latest article that I read this week I’ve made a decision that…
DetailsWhat are the major risks to our lives compared to some of the major fears in our lives? You’ll be surprised. This article gives an interesting look at what worries us and where we should be focused. To Your Best 2nd Half, The opinions voiced in this material are for…
DetailsDeciding when to send your spouse or parent to a nursing home can be a tough and agonizing experience. Some of you have faced this already. Others are in the midst of this or will face it soon. I remember as a young boy going to the nursing home to see Pappy (my grandfather). It…
DetailsI’ve had numerous conversations over the years about telling your heirs about your estate plans. I always recommend telling someone. Don’t keep it a secret. Do not feel compelled though to share all of the details. At least one person should know where to find your estate documents and account information. This would include your…
DetailsMost of us don’t enter the 2nd Half at the same time. For some, entering retirement together is ideal. For others, it’s not even an option. At times we don’t get to choose when we retire. As a follow-up to my ‘practice retirement’ blog I’ve expanded on a significant issue. What are some of…
DetailsGrandma and Grandpa are visiting from Texas this week. Both Joshua (9) and Grandpa love to look for rocks. They’re both rock hounds! We decided to go up in the mountains and we had a great day hanging out around St. Peter’s Dome (on the backside of Cheyenne Mountain). Reflecting on this precious day here’s part…
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