retirement

You can still save for retirement after you’ve retired

If your circumstances permit it, you can continue to save for your future for many years after your retirement. We tend to think of retirement as an event. One day you are working, and boom, the next day, you’re retired. … Read MoreRead More

If you were automatically enrolled in an IRA, would you opt-out?

A look at the state-run auto-IRA plans and whether they are a net benefit for employees who don’t have (or utilize) other retirement options. Not everyone has access to a workplace-retirement account like a 401(k). A few years ago, I … Read MoreRead More

Why you may want to ignore the 4% rule for retirement withdrawals

The creator of the “4% rule” for safe retirement portfolio withdrawals doesn’t even believe in 4% anymore. That’s good news, as the actual safer percentage appears to be higher. So you’ve spent decades of your life building up a sizable … Read MoreRead More

The Roth IRA danger zone (part 3): How I resolved an excess contribution

With a number of different ways to resolve this problematic situation, here is how I dealt with an excess contribution to a Roth IRA. More posts in this series: The Roth IRA danger zone (part 1): What to do when … Read MoreRead More

Is the 15% rule for investing before tax or after tax?

Once you’re out of debt, you’re ready to start saving for retirement. (Before you’re out of debt, you’re probably better off just focusing on that, though I think an exception is fair for extremely large debts like mortgages). A good … Read MoreRead More

Why having a million dollars might still not make you a millionaire

I’ve long talked about the necessity of being a millionaire. We all pretty much need to be at least a millionaire, give or take, if we want to have a comfortable retirement, because it’s only in that way that we … Read MoreRead More

IQ tester

The benefits (and limitations) of Chris Hogan’s R:IQ assessment test

I discuss the online R:IQ assessment test by Chris Hogan, which seeks to determine how much money you need to save up for your retirement. As mentioned in my review of Chris Hogan’s Retire Inspired book, a tool called the … Read MoreRead More

Little robot

Chris Hogan’s Retire Inspired: Another bionic book?

Years from now, when the internet is as obscure and unknowable as Linear A, archaeologists are going to unearth books, still well-preserved, that say things like: “If you haven’t taken the R:IQ assessment yet, do it now! Take it for … Read MoreRead More

Queue ticket

How do you figure out how much money you need in retirement?

I had a little fun with our fictitious shopping trip on the luxury eBay. While I enjoy toys as much as anyone, I think the desire for ultra-rich luxuries seems less about desire for luxuries and more of a need … Read MoreRead More

Luxury castle

You don’t need to save as much as you think

If you’re going to be financially comfortable in the later years of your life, you’re most like going to need to be a millionaire. Or if not an actual millionaire, derive the equivalent in income that having a financial net … Read MoreRead More