As your parents begin to settle into their final phase of life, their health, residence, and finances could become a factor in your retirement planning. This is especially true if you are the person your parents have tasked with settling their estates. There’s no simple way to tackle all the logistical and emotional challenges associated with caring for an aging parent. But these five steps will help you get the help you’ll need to make sure your parent is safe, cared for, and financially … [Read more...]
4 Things to Consider Before Financially Bailing Out Your Adult Children
According to a recent study by TD Ameritrade, 25% of baby boomers are supporting their family members financially (1). Support to adult children averages out to $10,000 per year. That’s $10,000 that boomers aren’t saving, contributing to retirement accounts, or investing. Can your retirement afford that kind of generosity? If you fall short of your retirement goals, is the adult you’re bailing out going to bail you out during your golden years? Before you write your struggling young … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Know When You Are Ready to Retire
There’s a pretty good chance that your parents and grandparents retired just because they turned 65. Today’s retirement is a bit more complicated than that. While age is still an important factor, your ability to connect your financial resources to your lifestyle goals is what will truly determine if you’re ready to retire. Here are three important markers to cross before you crack open your nest egg: You’re financially ready. The most common question we field from our clients is, … [Read more...]
How to Have More Fun and Meaning in Retirement
A blank calendar filled with nothing but free time can be every bit as stressful as a packed work week. That’s the surprising fact that many new retirees confront after a few days of hitting the snooze button and puttering around the house. This is usually when the reality of retirement sets in. This is your life now. What are you going to do with it? Whatever you want! The only thing better than sleeping in is jumping out of bed early because you’re energized and excited for the day … [Read more...]
Empower Yourself by Recognizing Your Freedom to Choose
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Viktor Frankl We may not always be able to control the circumstances of a given situation we find ourselves in. But we always have the freedom to choose how we respond. The choice we make – and how we make it – often determines how well we survive the situation, and if we go on to thrive. If challenges in your family life, your career, or your finances are making you feel powerless, … [Read more...]
A Simple Plan to Achieve More in Life and Feel Good About the Results
We tend to overestimate what we can accomplish in the short-term and underestimate what we can accomplish in the long-term. The frustration that results is one big reason why so many New Year’s resolutions die before Spring. But if you use these key strategies that are supported by deeply-held values – and science! – you’ll set better goals, achieve them, and feel better about yourself while doing so. Know your values. Knowing your values can provide real clarity on what you want to … [Read more...]
What Did You Learn Today?
“In a world of change, the learners shall inherit the earth, while the learned shall find themselves perfectly suited for a world that no longer exists.” ― Eric Hoffer It’s never been easier for adults to continue to learn after completing their formal education. Online universities, TED talks, “master classes,” podcasts, and even curated YouTube playlists put world-class professionals, teachers, and thinkers literally at our fingertips. Are you taking advantage? One common attribute … [Read more...]
4 Ways to Feel More “At Home” in Your Home
Do you feel “at home” in your home? Your home is often the biggest financial purchase you’ll ever make. But is it also giving you the emotional payoffs you hope for? Your home is an important part of your financial plan because we have to consider your rent or mortgage, utility bills, maintenance, and taxes as part of your monthly and long-term financial picture. But to get the best life possible with the money you have, your home should also be a safe place that makes you feel comfortable … [Read more...]
Don’t Just Work for Money, Work for Meaning
In a recent survey of 12,000 workers worldwide conducted by the Energy Project, only 50% of respondents found meaning in their jobs (1). Imagine spending 40 hours a week doing meaningless work. It’s soul-sucking, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We understand why so many people stick with jobs that don’t provide meaning—it’s the money. And working “for the money” is not all bad. Having financial security so we can provide for our families is obviously a worthy reason. However, as … [Read more...]
Are You Living Your Life On Purpose?
Why, day in and day out, do you do the things that you do? Because you have to? Because you want to? Because you’ve had the same routine for years and you’re used to it? If you feel like your life is something that just happens to you, it’s time to reassess how you’re spending your time. Financial security, stability, and creature comforts are all important. But feeling that your life has purpose will become more and more critical to your emotional and physical well-being as you age -- … [Read more...]
