Many of us look forward to retirement as the reward for a lifetime of hard work. However, many retirees are caught off guard by the simple facts of their new life in retirement. Here are three things you should know about before you leave the working world for good. First is that required minimum distributions [...]
Although one of the most common retirement planning questions is, “How much money will I need for a successful retirement?”, it may be more important to focus on how much income you’ll need during each of your retirement years. And, in order to do that in an effective manner, you’ll want to try and create [...]
There’s no getting around it: the holiday season is here. Stores are playing Christmas tunes, there’s bright lights in front of every house, and everyone is beginning to bake their delicious, homemade holiday treats. Walk downtown and the sidewalks are filled with carolers and Holiday shoppers. Now, turn on the TV and you’re bound to [...]
Today, the median price for a single-family home is now 23% higher than it was in 2007, right before the financial crash. If the sound of that has you concerned, just remember that there are dozens of ways to invest in real estate without exposing yourself to direct, unnecessary risk. Real estate investments have always [...]
It’s almost Thanksgiving, and if you’re hosting this year then you know that preparation and organization is key to a successful feast. First, you need to know how many mouths there will be to feed, then figure out what kind of meal you’re going to serve them. Does your aunt like butter in the mashed [...]
What does your ideal retirement look like? There’s a lot of factors to think about when you’re deciding where to spend your life in retirement, who you want to spend it with, and what you want to do. A successful retirement requires having the appropriate pre-retirement mindset, which is why it’s important that you get [...]
Everyone knows that you can’t buy happiness. It’s a saying as old as money itself, and despite what decades of advertising have tried to tell us, it’s mostly correct. There isn’t a single soft drink, or car, or perfume that’s going to make everyone feel happier over a long period of time. And yet, it [...]
Inside each of us lives some form of competitive spirit. Whether you are a “go for the throat” type of competitor or take a more passive approach, we all like to win. It’s not in our nature to enjoy losing; it’s probably some type of primal response left over from the caveman days. Whether you’re [...]
According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, retirement by itself often produces a positive impact on people's sense of well-being, a feeling that lasts for a considerable length of time. Psychologists have determined that each of us have our own individual set points of happiness. So, how can you help ensure that you get happier [...]
Entering retirement is a dramatic shift in lifestyle, but luckily there is plenty of time for new or old hobbies. Here are a few activities that are both fun and inexpensive that you can do in retirement: Volunteer. Few things are as fulfilling and stimulating as doing good deeds around the local community. Activities include [...]
