Wealth and Wisdom: Week of April 26, 2021
Wealth and Wisdom: Week of April 26, 2021
We have a decidedly retirement-focused theme this week – but our first item below might be an early-warning signal for something we will all have to deal with: inflation. With the government still pumping trillions of dollars into an economy that’s already in full recovery mode and the Federal Reserve still holding interest rates near zero, folks are starting to wonder if more inflation is inevitable.
We will put the wraps on April this week, and then it’s on to the month of May, about which I recently learned that in any given year, no month ever begins or ends on the same day of the week as May does.
Have a great week!
Higher prices are coming
If and when inflation breaks out, you can’t say we weren’t warned. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Big estate tax changes possible
President Biden wants to make it way more expensive to pass your wealth along when you die. Here’s the plan. (Reading time: 6 minutes)
Boomers going big, as always
Should we be surprised that more boomers are choosing to upsize their homes after they retire? (Reading time: 5 minutes)
How to pay for your next home
With little or no earned income in retirement, qualifying for a mortgage can be tougher – but there are some alternative strategies to consider. (Reading time: 6 minutes)
Study: Retirees underestimating health care costs
It could cost the average couple more than a quarter-of-a-million dollars to pay for health care costs in retirement – beyond what insurance pays. (Reading time: 3 minutes)
The 4% rule is no guarantee
This popular retirement spending strategy is coming under pressure – a subject I also addressed in this recent blog post. (Reading time: 5 minutes)
Lessons from the pandemic
This retired author believes COVID-19 has taught him at least five useful lessons on handling his finances. (Reading time: 4 minutes)
Second thoughts on retiring early
He retired at age 41 and found that the good life wasn’t entirely within his control. (Reading time: 7 minutes)
Government resources for retirees
Here’s a compendium of government retirement resources to clip and save – income, taxes, housing, health care, nutrition, and more. (Reading time: 12 minutes)
Mike’s Pro Tip of the Week
If you’re looking for ways to get the most out what you spend in retirement, look no further than 99 Great Ways to Save Money, published by AARP every year for more than a decade. I bet you’ll find at least a dozen ideas here that you haven’t heard of. Pick a few and get busy saving money!
“The trouble with retirement is that you never get a day off!”
Abe Lemons
Neither The Mike Brown Financial Group nor its employees provide tax and legal advice. Please consult your tax and legal advisors regarding your personal circumstances.
Investment advisory services are offered through Raymond James Financial Services Advisors, Inc. Mike Brown Financial Group is not a registered broker/dealer and is independent of Raymond James Financial Services.