Wealth and Wisdom: Week of February 19, 2024

I have some exciting news to share with you!

A lot of people are retiring – or at least seriously considering it – right now. And as the first three items in this week’s issue will attest, it’s a huge life event that involves making a lot of crucial decisions all at the same time. The process can be overwhelming, and many people don’t know even where to start.

I have created four new presentations that we will be sharing at live, in-person workshops in 2024. Each covers a distinctly different topic designed to guide you through your transition to True Wealth, including the 10 Decisions to Make Before You Retire, Investing for the Rest of Your Life, Finding Income in Retirement, and Behaving Your Way to Investment Success. We will be holding these workshops in March, June, August, and November.

If you are thinking about retiring within the next five years – or if you’re already retired – stay tuned to Wealth and Wisdom for details in the coming weeks. We will also be launching an all-new website called Help Me Retire soon to provide educational resources, blog posts, and a new podcast specifically aimed at helping you make the right decisions.

We are looking forward to sharing all of these ideas and strategies with you – and I hope you and I can meet at one of our upcoming events.

Another huge retirement wave is hitting

The pandemic triggered the “Great Retirement Boom” – and now the market’s recovery is coaxing millions more boomers to leave their jobs. (Reading time: 2 minutes)

Are you retiring this year?

If retirement is in your plans for 2024, use this last-minute checklist to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. (Reading time: 5 minutes)

More to think about

As your thinking takes you into longer-range plans and questions, here are more items to add to your decision list. (Reading time: 5 minutes)

The ‘most predictable crisis’ in history?

The head of the nation’s largest bank believes U.S. debt could cost Americans their homes, spending power, and national security. (Reading time: 6 minutes)

24 lessons learned about investing

This popular blogger and author shares some of his beliefs about how to create and manage personal wealth. (Reading time: 4 minutes)

Free tax preparation

The IRS has two programs that offer free tax help – primarily to older taxpayers and those with limited income. (Reading time: 3 minutes)

4 reasons to consider a Roth IRA conversion

With the prospect of rising tax rates on the horizon, it makes sense to explore converting some of your traditional IRA into a Roth. (Reading time: 4 minutes)

How HSAs are like ‘extra strength’ Roth IRAs

Health savings accounts are a tax-advantaged way to save for healthcare expenses – over and above what you’re saving for retirement. (Reading time: 5 minutes)

Is there really a Social Security ‘do-over’?

You claimed Social Security benefits too early and now wish you could change your mind. You might be able to. (Reading time: 2 minutes)

How 529 plans go beyond college

Once you know the rules, 529 college savings plans can be a powerful estate-planning tool. (Reading time: 2 minutes)

Words to the Wise

“Interest never sleeps nor sickens nor dies; it never goes to the hospital; it works on Sundays and holidays; it never visits nor travels… it has no love, no sympathy; it is as hard and soulless as a granite cliff. Once in debt, interest is your companion every minute of the day and night; you cannot shun it or slip away from it; you cannot dismiss it; it yields neither to entreaties, demands, nor orders; and whenever you get in its way or cross its course or fail to meet its demands, it crushes you.”

– J. Reuben Clark

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