Pete the Planner: This Thanksgiving, target stability, not more stuff
This year, I’ve landed on a specific question to consider: Does our quest for more hinder our ability to experience equilibrium? Like I said, I get weird this time of year.
This year, I’ve landed on a specific question to consider: Does our quest for more hinder our ability to experience equilibrium? Like I said, I get weird this time of year.
So I’ll just hit you with one major issue—the average American household has not yet figured out that it’s out of money.
Running a business for the first time is incredibly difficult and undeniably risky.
The first directive is to create a realistic and achievable long-term financial plan.
You’re clearly not winning, your advisers are undoubtedly frustrated by you, and frankly I’m frustrated by this situation too.
I know people can take great comfort in hearing, speaking or reading their high annual wage, but I also know that income is only one side of the ledger.
You always need a short- to mid-term financial goal. Always.
Still to this day, plugging absurd average returns into financial-planning calculators tickles my soul.
I’m in an expensive season of life.
Keep pressing them to be critical until they offer something. Once that seal is broken, candor can take hold.
I’ve seen so many people have 50-point leads going into the third or fourth quarter but somehow end up clutching a defeat from the jaws of victory.
It’s wild to think back to the despair we felt some 38 months ago and realize we came out the other side of that nightmare in a better financial place.
There’s a rather simple way to determine whether you’ll be able maintain your current lifestyle in retirement: Calculate your projected retirement income and then see if your lifestyle fits into it.
A pay raise is more likely to make retirement harder, not easier.
Based on the time of year it is right now, there’s some inherent positivity afoot.
Most people have the near term figured out but can’t make the long term work.
Enter into this process with a calm mind and empathetic words.
I’m having a hard time getting my head around the logic in buying a new home (with the use of a mortgage) for those people who currently have mortgage rates in the 2% to 3% range.
Of course, living downtown isn’t for everyone, especially in particular stages of life, but it’s a brilliant choice for those whose lifestyle affords it—and I don’t just mean in the financial sense.
You listed nine instances in which you should have reconnected with your financial adviser. You are zero for nine.