Financial Planning, Retirement Plan, 401k, Investment Blog

Financial Planning, Retirement Plan, 401k, Investment Blog

Saving Money

Saving for Retirement

Posted March 15, 2011 by Bernz

There are a lot of numbers that come into play when one starts to think about retirement, and a very important number is how much does one need to save.  As a general rule it is good to assume that you will need roughly 70% of your yearly salary from when you are working in order to live comfortably in retirement.  This is a very conservative estimate though, and depending on what your goals are during retirement – travel, charity work, additional education – you may need to save more than 70%, in some cases substantially more.  It is good to take the time to write down some of the things you would like to accomplish during retirement, so that you can have them in mind when you decide on how much to save.

Taking a good look at your current expenses can be an excellent indicator of what kind of finances you will need during retirement.  Also keep in mind that while certain expenses that you have now will disappear when you retire, they are likely to be offset by new expenses, usually rising health care costs as you grow older.

(more…)

Posted in Financial Goals, Retirement Planning, Saving Money | No Comments »

When Can I Retire?

Posted March 10, 2011 by Bernz

Retirement, and more importantly having enough income to retire comfortably, is an issue that looms large on the minds of many employees.  A good place to start in trying to navigate the changing waters of retirement is to determine how much income you will need in order to retire the way you want.  Once you have a pretty good idea of  what that amount is, you need to consider the income that will be coming in in the form of pensions, Social Security, and other sources.  Once you have all those numbers you can compare and see if your current financial status will allow you to have the kind of retirement you desire.  There are a variety of retirement calculators available online that can help you to get a general picture of your retirement.  What if you note that there are areas for improvement, what should you do then?

One option that most people do not like to hear, but that may be necessary, is delaying the age when you retire.  Traditionally the average employee retires around 65, but in many industries and with the current financial climate, this may not be a viable option.  Not only does retiring later reduce the number of withdrawals you will have to make, it also increases the amount you can afford to take out yearly to cover your expenses.

(more…)

Posted in Financial Goals, Retirement Planning, Saving Money | No Comments »

Do Today’s Kids Know Enough About Money?

Posted June 10, 2010 by Bernz

It almost seems like a rite of passage – teenagers getting into college, finding more freedoms, and getting a credit card.  credit card companies have always been eager to supply college students with credit cards.  They often turn into customers for life.

While at first it seems like a great way to teach college students about credit, the new shiny credit cards don’t come with instructions or lessons.  For those kids who have never managed money in the past, it can be a nightmare – one that is hard to overcome as credit card bills keep pouring in.

The topic of handling money is not often taught in schools, leaving kids to get their information from friends, and what they think their parents are doing.  Parents themselves often don’t talk about money with their children.  Money is a taboo subject in many households; considered too crass of a topic to bring up.

But where does that leave our children?  Credit card debt among college students has doubled in the past 10 years and often students enter the working world with as much credit card debt as student loans. (more…)

Posted in Saving for College, Saving Money | No Comments »

Emergency Fund: How Much Do You Really Need?

Posted June 23, 2009 by Bernz

Keeping an emergency fund available for unforeseen crises is a financial planning tip that is widely quoted. Any number of situations could come up where you may need to dip into this short term savings fund, such as loss of job (a more likely occurrence with the current economic situation), emergency medical expenses, or home repairs.

But how big does this emergency fund really need to be? Some financial planners suggest three months salary is a good general rule. If you would ask Suze Orman, (yes I do watch her show especially the “Can You Afford It” segment) she will say 6-8 months or even one year if you can afford is more advantageous. However, the right answer for you will depend on your circumstances and the risks that you are trying to cover. Some of the risks that people put aside savings for can be covered less expensively with insurance.

Take home repair for example. If your air conditioner or furnace were to quit for good, the expense of buying a new one might damage your current cash flow. (more…)

Posted in Financial Education, Financial Goals, Frugality, Investing in Real Estate, Retirement Planning, Saving Money, Wealth Building | 2 Comments »

Getting Out of Debt vs. Saving Money

Posted June 15, 2009 by Bernz

There are two conflicting tips that are offered by financial experts during these turbulent economic times. The first is to pay off your debts and to save money. For an individual who is already overextended, how would you know which one you should prioritize? Well, each situation is unique and it is difficult to generalize when it comes to situation of each person.

However, there are several questions you need to ask yourself before making the decision:

• How much do you have in your savings right now?
• How much money do you owe?
• How much interest are you paying for your debts?
• How much are you earning every month?
• How secure is your source of income?

Essentially, people who are not worried about losing their current source of income in the near future should focus on debt repayment. They should start paying off the debts with the highest interest such as credit cards before moving to secured debts. In addition, if the amount of debt you owe is easily payable within one or two months, don’t put it off because it is just a waste of interest money. The main point is, you should plan debt repayments thoroughly and carefully. (more…)

Posted in Credit Card Management, Debt, Financial Goals, Saving Money | 1 Comment »