cjcagle For many people, the end of one year and the start of another is a good time for a financial health checkup. For some, this includes assessing their progress toward their retirement saving goals. Over the years, as I’ve counseled and coached folks getting closer to retirement who realize that they’re not as financially prepared … Read more
Luke 2:1—21 tells the familiar story of Jesus’ birth. It starts with this in verse one: “In those days. . .” The ESV Study Bible says that “‘In those days’ is an imprecise date (contrast Luke 3:1–2), suggesting that Luke did not know the exact year (cf. 3:23).” The study guide also says that as … Read more
I’m occasionally asked how I manage my retirement finances. I’ve touched on some aspects in previous posts, but I thought I’d share a little about my not-very-formal-or-complicated year-end regime. I don’t do this to suggest that I handle things in an exemplary way or that you should do what I do. Retired families can have … Read more
A friend recently sent me a link to a news item titled “Christian radio host sentenced to three life sentences for Ponzi scheme bilking millions from elderly listeners—William Neil ‘Doc’ Gallagher, 80, and his Gallagher Financial Group advertised on Christian radio with the tagline, ‘See you in church on Sunday.’” According to the state’s attorney … Read more
We all have many things to be thankful for. Even when things get hard, they’re never as bad as they could be. The road to retirement can be rocky at times, and living (and aging) in retirement has its own challenges. Still, we can be thankful for family and friends, health, being part of a … Read more
According to some recent stats, more people are retiring earlier than planned due to the effects of the pandemic. Their specific reasons may differ, but part of what’s been fueling it has been rising stock and real estate markets. Quality of life is also often cited as a key reason. I’m reasonably sure that a … Read more
Most don’t think too much about income taxes in retirement. They just assume that they’ll pay less since it’s possible (likely?) that their income will be less. For many, that’s a reasonable assumption (at least as long as tax rates remain relatively low). Others believe that their Social Security retirement benefits aren’t taxable, further reducing … Read more
A Dave Ramsey (Ramsey Solutions) article on investment fees opens with this: Just like airline fees, investment fees are also a fact of life. The difference is, investment fees aren’t always as clear as an extra baggage fee. Many folks we talk to are confused or blindsided by them. And sometimes, that confusion keeps people from making … Read more
I retired three years ago this month. Frankly, it seems longer, but I’m not sure why, perhaps because the last 18 to 24 mos. have been a pretty long road for all of us. If you’ve read this blog for very long, you know that I don’t make every article about me or take you … Read more
