With the average savings account yielding a meager 0.11 percent – far less than the rate of inflation – one financial planner cited in today’s article describes using a traditional savings account for your emergency fund cash as simply being a way of “losing money safely”. As such, the author proceeds to outline other options for your emergency fund that…
Americans are not saving enough for retirement – and if Republican lawmakers have their way (which they presumably will as they now control Washington), this crisis may only get worse. The author of today’s article goes so far as to call the GOP’s current actions and proposed plans a “war on retirement”. What does the author identify as the three…
If you have a large sum of money that you want to invest for retirement, the commonly-held financial wisdom is that you should use the dollar-cost averaging strategy and move that money into the market gradually so that the entire amount is not at risk of a market setback. But, as today’s article explains, it turns out that this seemingly…
Large, established companies with recognizable brand names. Dividend yields of at least 5%. Low volatility. Relatively cheap. These are four criteria that the author of today’s article believes make stocks well-suited for investors in retirement – and are thus the criteria that he employed in screening for stocks for retirees. Three stocks that fit the bill and which retirees may…
How much do you need to save in order to fund your desired standard of living in retirement? More than you think, according to a new study. Dramatically more. The reasons for this gap between the rates at which Americans are saving for retirement and the rates at which they should be saving? Low returns, longer lives and legacy goals.…
Here’s a disturbing reality highlighted in today’s article: “As our ability to make sound financial decisions decreases with age, our self-confidence in this area actually increases.” So what steps can both adult children and their parents take to protect the latter from making bad financial decisions (including becoming the victims of fraud) as a result of them being unaware of…
Are your retirement savings slipping away without you even noticing? That’s what was happening to the aunt of the author of today’s article – until he drew her what he believes is “the most important 401(k) chart” to show her what was happening. What does this chart show and what simple steps does the author state you need to take…
When it comes to accumulating that $1 million figure often cited as the recommended amount for a retirement nest egg, the author of today’s article states there are two choices: “Either we can wait nearly half a century…or we can become millionaires faster if we can get a better return.” He proceeds to outline a basket of five funds which…
“Perhaps the best stocks you can buy for your retirement portfolio are dividend stocks with strong long-term growth potential,” acknowledges the author of today’s article, who sees real estate investment trusts as offering some of the best opportunities in this regard despite their poor performance of late due to rising interest rates. Three REITs that the author sees as top…
Outliving their money, Social Security being reduced or eliminated, and declining mental health necessitating long-term care. These are the top 3 retirement fears of Americans, as identified by a recent survey – and today’s article acknowledges that these are all serious risks worthy of attention. However, the author argues that “instead of living your life in fear, you can take…