A major part of my job – perhaps the most important part – is helping people reach their financial goals in life. Over the years, I’ve discovered that while things like planning, saving, and investing are crucial, it’s equally important to look beyond the numbers. Achievement is about more than just spreadsheets or quarterly statements. …
The Focus Formula Focus is a skill that drives success, productivity, and the ability to generate new ideas and possibilities. When you’re truly focused, you’re at the top of your game. Great musicians, doctors, actors, lawyers, and athletes know this. Without focus, their performances become flawed and mistakes are made, often serious mistakes. How do…
Why Open a my Social Security Account? I’ve written about this before, I want to encourage you again to go to ssa.gov/myaccount and open a Social Security account. This is not just for people who are close to retirement. Everyone should open their own account with SSA—before someone else does. Here’s Why: I heard about…
Human beings are obsessed with setting records. The fastest. The strongest. The first. The longest. It’s exciting whenever a new record gets set. It makes us feel like we’re witnesses to something important, something historic. Something we can tell our grandchildren about. And now, we can add a new record to the list: The Longest…
What’s in a Phrase: Your Retirement There are certain phrases that have become so pervasive in our culture that we rarely stop to think about what they mean. Many of these sayings contain some very profound lessons that can apply directly to your retirement. Here are some of my favorites. April Showers Bring May Flowers:…
As my birthday approaches, I’ve been thinking about certain milestones. Do you realize that the only time in our lives when we like to get old is when we’re kids? If you’re less than 10 years old, you’re so excited about aging that you think in fractions. “How old are you?” “I’m four and a…
When we plan retirement some don’t want to hear how much it may help to work a few more months. I’ve just reviewed a new study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research. Their research confirms working a few years longer has a bigger impact on improving retirement income security for older workers than…
What is a 401(k)? Have one? Here’s how to take advantage of it. A 401(k) is a retirement savings plan provided by an employer and allows you to save and invest a portion of your paycheck before taxes (the tax-advantage). The money in a 401(k) has the potential to grow tax free. In retirement, withdrawals…
What is a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD)? After you turn 70½, the IRS requires you withdraw a portion of the money in your retirement savings accounts each year (except for Roth accounts1). This is called a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD). Many of you who are enjoying your 2nd Half are approaching or have reached 70…
Not making a move may not be the best move to make. A decision not made may have financial consequences. There is an old belief that women are more cautious about money than men, and whether you believe that or not, both women and men may fall prey to a kind of money paralysis as…