If your employer is a retirement plan sponsor, you’ve probably received information about your retirement plan, including descriptions of all the investment options available to you. Why do retirement plans offer different options?
Have you made up your mind on just about everything, even before you know what it is? For instance, when you meet someone, is your opinion of the person formed from the first impression? Or, when you hear a political argument from the other side, is your mind opened or closed? Are you able to concede the “good points” the other side make, or do you dismiss the whole argument?
One of the first lessons of finance we are taught, by our parents or through some basic personal finance course, is to make creating an emergency fund our top priority. Having a reserve of cash equivalent to six to 12 month’s worth of living expenses is considered the most fundamental principal of financial security.
In Marin County investment planning, we view goals as life’s destinations, whether it is where you want to be at the end of the day or at some point in the distant future.
The success or failure of a financial plan is driven by a variety of possible influences. Factors like the right rate of savings, good investment selection, and careful risk management are all important and commonly recognized as elements of a high quality plan. Going a step further and incorporating a well thought out estate plan can turn a good plan into a great plan.
An increasing number of Americans are facing an uphill battle just trying to save enough and earn enough on their savings to be able to retire on time.
With the proliferation of investment and personal finance websites, investors have access to a boundless number resources and tools once only available to financial professionals.
When people decide that they need to eat healthier or lose weight, they know that they have to change their behavior. That’s easier said than done for most, which is why programs like Nutrisystem and Weight Watchers are so popular; because they provide a system for automatically controlling portions and nutrition.
Most people would argue that living in a digital world, with instant access to an endless stream of information has made us smarter and more self-empowered than past generations. Investors believe that it has “leveled the playing field”, enabling them to make investment decisions based on the same information once only available to the investment pros.
When it comes to admitting that women are better at certain things, men have a difficult time conceding any degree of supremacy.
The rising cost of student loan debt may influence how you secure your financial future. Student borrowers could end up with less savings if they pay off their student loan debt expediently. Prioritizing student loan repayment over retirement is a risk because retirement contributions are usually tax deductible.
The cost of retirement has never been higher. Retirement planning before age 30 is highly recommended and before 40 is essential if you want to have an adequate balance between liquidity and assets later in life. The benefit of working with a retirement plan consultant is that you can take the guesswork out of retirement planning.
Most parents put their children’s needs above their own, including funding their children’s educations. After all, everyone wants their children to be happy and successful. However, financial advisors that specialize in pension consulting warn that prioritizing your kids over your own retirement could be a mistake. Why should retirement be your main priority?
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