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Tag: Retirement Planning
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Meet Rachel and Thomas Rachel (60) and Thomas (61) live in Bend, Oregon—a scenic, fast-growing town nestled in the Cascade Mountains, perfect for biking, paddleboarding, and family hikes. Their lives have been a blend of work, parenting, and a lot of careful planning. Thomas spent 35 years as a product development manager for a regional…
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We’re diving into two personal finance topics that many people either misunderstand or overlook entirely: Asset Allocation and Asset Location. If you’ve ever looked at your Roth IRA, 401(k), and taxable brokerage accounts and wondered why your money is split across them—surprise! You’ve already entered the world of asset location, whether you realized it or…
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Meet Carlos and Dana Carlos (60) and Dana (59) live in Boise, Idaho—a fast-growing city known for its outdoor lifestyle, family-friendly vibe, and reasonable cost of living. Carlos recently retired from his 30-year career as a civil engineer for the state, while Dana just stepped away from her role as a university librarian. But their…
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When most people think about investing, their minds go straight to stocks. But there’s another powerful tool in the investment toolbox that often gets overlooked—bonds. Whether you’re building your retirement portfolio, looking to balance out your stock-heavy investments, or simply want to earn income with less risk, understanding how bonds work is crucial. Let’s break…
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Meet Kevin and Mia Kevin (55) and Mia (48) live in Durham, North Carolina—a vibrant city known for its universities, food scene, and close-knit community. Kevin works as a mid-level executive for a manufacturing firm, and Mia is a full-time mom raising their 8-year-old daughter, Isla. Kevin enjoys his job but dreams of stepping away…
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Retirement should be a time of freedom, not financial fear. Yet, many retirees find themselves struggling—not because they didn’t save, but because they made avoidable mistakes along the way. Whether you’re five years from retirement or already there, steering clear of these common pitfalls can make all the difference. Here are five of the most…
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Meet David and Alicia David (58) and Alicia (51) live in Fort Collins, Colorado—a scenic, mid-sized city known for its outdoor lifestyle and excellent public schools. They have an 8-year-old daughter, Emma, who loves camping, piano lessons, and science kits. David had planned to work until 61, but an unexpected corporate downsizing changed everything. At…
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The surprising (and smart) questions you should be asking about your retirement strategy When most people think about retirement investing, they ask questions like “How much do I need to save?” or “Should I use a Roth IRA or Traditional IRA?” Those are important, but the smartest investors ask deeper, more nuanced questions that actually…
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Deciding when to claim Social Security benefits is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll make in retirement. Get it right, and you could maximize guaranteed income for the rest of your life. Get it wrong, and you might leave tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars on the table. So, when is…
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Roth IRAs offer tax-free growth and tax-free withdrawals in retirement—but only if you follow the rules. One of the most misunderstood aspects is the “5-year rule”, which plays a different role depending on your age and what kind of withdrawal you’re making (contributions, earnings, or conversions). Let’s break down how the 5-year rule works before…