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How to Gradually Retire Overseas
Tweet Share on Facebook May 31, 2011 Comment (1)If the idea of relocating to another country is intimidating, you’re probably not ready to make the leap full-time. Instead, take retirement overseas for a test run by spending part of a year someplace foreign.
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4 Health Myths That Drain Your Wallet
Tweet Share on Facebook May 27, 2011 Comment (5)Many people spend a good deal of time and money trying to stay as fit as possible. Taking steps to maintain your health is a good idea that becomes especially important as you age.
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John Bogle’s Vanguard Is No More
Tweet Share on Facebook May 26, 2011 Comment (3)I am a big fan of Vanguard. I am an even bigger fan of its founder, John Bogle, who is no longer affiliated with the company. His book, The Little Book of Common Sense Investing, is a must read for all investors.
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Denial is Not a Retirement Plan
Tweet Share on Facebook May 25, 2011 Comment (1)It’s no secret that Americans are financially unprepared for retirement. It seems that every day a new study is released illustrating the sorry state of our national retirement readiness. The Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies just released another one. It appears that Americans are listening to the constant warnings and have devised a new retirement plan: working. According to the Transamerica study, 54 percent of survey respondents expect to continue working past the age of 65. And 39 percent of current employees plan to work past the age of 70 or not retire at all. Planning not to retire is not a retirement plan.
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Little-Known Investing Details That Cost You
Tweet Share on Facebook May 25, 2011 CommentInvesting can be simple if you buy a broad market index fund and never touch it for decades. But many people read about all the latest investing tips and make frequent tweaks to their portfolio. Doing this exposes you to the possibly of making investing mistakes that could have dire consequences. Here are a few common investment misunderstandings that could cost you money.
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Retirement Calculators Lead to More Questions
Tweet Share on Facebook May 24, 2011 CommentIf you are within a few years of retirement it may be possible to determine your retirement needs with a fair amount of certainty. Simply find a retirement calculator, plug in a few variables, and you should have a reasonable estimate. But if you are more than a decade away from retirement, the same retirement calculator seems to raise more questions than answers. How can you accurately estimate your retirement needs when you have to make a variety of assumptions just to get an estimate?
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4 Expenses You Can Cut by Retiring Overseas
Tweet Share on Facebook May 23, 2011 Comment (3)The costs of housing and transportation are typically the two biggest parts of any budget along with taxes and health insurance. For some people these four items can account for 80 percent or more of your overall monthly spending.
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5 Often Forgotten Investment Rules for Retirement
Tweet Share on Facebook May 20, 2011 CommentMany things have changed over the last 50 years, but at least one thing hasn’t: We all still want a carefree retirement. You will have a much better chance of attaining a secure retirement if you make appropriate investments. Here are five time-tested investment rules that will help you prepare for retirement.
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Debunking the Cramer Myth
Tweet Share on Facebook May 19, 2011 Comment (2)The New York Times Magazine recently did a profile of Jim Cramer, titled “Jim Cramer Hits an All-Time High.” The author concludes that Cramer is a regular guy, who just happened to go to Harvard Law School, hit the jackpot managing a hedge fund, and accumulate “eight figures” in the bank.
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A Smarter Approach to the 4 Percent Rule
Tweet Share on Facebook May 18, 2011 CommentFew financial principles are as universally accepted as the 4 percent rule. Financial planner William Bengen first published research in a 1994 Journal of Financial Planning article that showed that a retiree can safely withdraw 4 percent of his portfolio, adjusted for inflation each year, and still have enough money to last for at least 30 years. This 4 percent rule has proved to be true for every 30-year slice of history since the 1920’s, including the Great Depression. Whether you think the 4 percent rule is helpful or flawed, there’s a smarter way to make sure it works for you.
