One of the biggest questions for people entering retirement is how to generate income from their hard-earned savings. Moving from accumulation to withdrawal mode is an uncomfortable transition for many. Setting aside the emotional and behavioral component, what are the logistics involved in creating your own paycheck? From which accounts should you draw and how does this affect your investment strategy?
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Interest Rates and How They Relate to Your Mortgage
When it comes to interest rates in relation to your credit card, student loan or home mortgage, you probably know the interest rate is the price you’re paying to borrow money. But when you hear about interest rates in the headlines, what kind of rates are they talking about? And if rates are moving up, what does this mean for your mortgage or other lines of credit?
The answer isn’t simple.
Investing in Real Estate: Is It Right for You?
Have you ever felt the rush of excitement when a friend mentions she recently purchased an investment property? You immediately start dreaming of passive income pouring in on a monthly basis (aka, someone else paying your mortgage) and soon you’re calling your friend’s real estate agent.
Understanding the Role of Life Insurance in Your Financial Plan
We’re just going to throw it out there: life insurance is not a fun or overly interesting topic of conversation. It is however, a very important one. Much of financial planning involves thinking through ‘what if’ situations and in the case of life insurance, you’re planning for what happens when you or a loved one passes away.
So let’s start with how it works.
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13 Vital Tips for Downsizing in Retirement
One of the hardest decisions retirees have to make is when and how to downsize in retirement. As we age, stairs can become a nuisance and as maintenance and utility expenses rise, it can make sense to transition to a more simplified arrangement for living.
What’s more, many retirees rely on the equity in their home to help fund their retirement and potential medical costs. [Read more…]