We all want an early retirement to travel, start a business, or spend more quality time with our families. If you’re planning to retire at 50, which steps should you take? For starters, keep in mind that early retirement is not your portion if you’re planning to work until your retirement age. You will be working throughout your retirement, at least for a few years; this means that you need to focus on saving for retirement as soon as possible. Otherwise, you may end up regretting not having saved enough money. It is advisable to learn how to live a …

Achieving a high income and net worth is half the battle in the quest for financial security. The other half is trying to keep and grow your assets once you have them. While this latter half is perhaps a nice problem to have, it has been the cause of many a headache. A common problem many people make is the proverbial “putting all of their eggs in one basket.” In the investing world, even just putting too many eggs in too few baskets can be enough to sink a financial battleship. Too often, people make this mistake in a misguided …

It’s not so uncommon when you hear someone who retired wanting to pack up their things and move. While it can be an exhilarating time, it can also be rather difficult, especially if their planning on buying a new house altogether. Lenders are barred from discriminating against older people who are trying to apply for a loan. Despite having the advantage of not having to worry about discrimination, retirees are still going to face some difficult challenges in obtaining a mortgage. Read on to learn a few tips about securing a mortgage while in retirement. Purchasing a New Home Isn’t …

The largest wealth transfer in the history of the world is currently in process. It’s estimated that around $68 trillion will switch hands over the next 25 years. Baby Boomers are currently retiring, and many of them will pass off the scene within the next few years. Much of this wealth will be tied up in family homes. This brings up the question of what to do if you inherit your parents’ home.  Move-In Some Gen X heirs will benefit from moving into their family’s homestead. Many retirees have no mortgage. Therefore, those who inherit a home will likely have …

Everyone should have a will; it ensures that your loved ones will receive the assets you wish them to have in the event of your death. To be clear, a will is a legal document that states how you want your property to be distributed and to care for any minor children. To ensure that your wishes are carried out as stated by you, a will must be written and signed by you and your witnesses. Keep in mind; even though you have set up a will for your family; you may have several reasons to update your will, especially …

Wills and trusts are both invaluable estate planning documents but they serve very different functions and are used at different times. Used in combination, they can help provide a comprehensive estate plan and both should be addressed when planning for retirement. Wills A will goes into effect after an individual has died. It delineates the distribution of assets according to the testator’s wishes and typically designates an executor who will ensure that the distribution is correctly made. Only sole and separate property can be included in a will; property that is jointly held or held in trust cannot be included …

Life insurance myths are some of the most persistent misleading misinformation affecting people planning retirement. These analytics are commonly severely lacking in adequate research to back up the popular perceptions. Consequentially, a few have fallen into avoidable financial traps. Insurance has the potential to be the strongest plan with the right guidance.  Benefits of utilizing life insurance 1. Protection of income in an untimely death to help the survivors. 2. Insurance of savings. 3. Ease tax management. 4. Maximize investments and returns. It is paramount to debunk the myths that surround life insurance before commencing life retirement plans. 1. It …

Everyone has different ideas of what it is like to retire. However, their ideas may be based solely on what they assume or what they have heard. The only way to know for certain is to ask people who have gone through it. Here are several facts and myths that you should learn about the retirement planning experience. Boredom Most people assume that boredom is a common occurrence for people without jobs. This is not an issue for those who have their days planned out. Many retirees claim that they have very few boring days. They say that they simply …

The year 2021 was an up-and-down year for many Americans. No one knows what is on the horizon for 2022, but it doesn’t hurt to set goals. Here are some financial goals that could help you get off to a great start in 2022. Start an Emergency Fund Whether you’ve just graduated and have yet to start your dream job or you’re a professional with many years of experience under your belt, you need an emergency fund. This is the first point of emphasis that many financial experts point to. If you have no emergency fund, you’ll likely have to …