Retire-ReadyFIT™ Archives - Atlanta Financial Associates, LLC

Why People Who Spend Money on Experiences are Happier

September 15, 2020

When we spend money on ourselves and the people we care about, we’re likely doing more than simply buying things. On a deeper level, our ultimate goal is to create feelings of happiness, satisfaction and well-being. 1

But are we actually spending our money in the best ways to achieve those results? Many of us spend in ways that do little to help us get what we truly want. Researchers say that there is a relationship between how we spend money and happiness, so the good news is that we have the opportunity to shift our spending patterns to help increase our happiness and help us create more meaningful lives. So, where do we begin?

Within 10 Years of Retirement? Here’s How to Protect Your Financial Plan

May 20, 2020

Are you an investor who was planning to retire in the next ten years? Do the current market conditions make you fearful for your future? The recent decline in domestic and global markets has been undeniably rough for investors, especially those nearing retirement. Our 11-year bull market run came to an end in March when all major domestic indices dropped dramatically in one of the swiftest declines into a bear market we have seen. Although the markets have since recovered from those bottoms very significantly, uncertainty abounds due to the ongoing global pandemic. It is only natural to be concerned about how to approach retirement against a background of such uncertainty and volatility.

What Could Tank My Success in Retirement Even Though Everything Looks Good on Paper?

May 7, 2020

When you visualize your retirement, what do you see? If you’re still far away from that milestone, your vision might remain a bit nebulous. For many individuals, the picture only grows clearer with time and detailed planning.
But even the best laid plans are not immune to derailment. Sometimes, the best way to prepare for the future is not only to imagine what could go right, but to be aware of what could go wrong.

Helping Your Parents – and Yourself – Live Better Lives Into Retirement

May 5, 2020

Most Americans strive to live longer than their life expectancy. Quality of life is a very important factor as well. In a 2018 poll by Axios.com, almost 7 out of 10 men want to live past age 77, the average life expectancy for men, and 57% of women would like to live past age 81, the average life expectancy for women. In that same poll, when asked if they would like to live past 100, nearly half of the respondents said it depended on how much pain they were in or whether they would be able to live independently.1 It is widely recognized that many uncertainties and challenges come up as people age. So, what are some things you can do to help yourself or your parents live better lives as you approach age 70, 80, and beyond?

Retiring During a Volatile Market: 5 Items to Consider

April 14, 2020

The past couple of months have been a tumultuous ride for investors. In mid-February, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) reached its peak. Soon after, the markets were engulfed by extreme volatility, generating record single day losses and ending the long-running bull market in early March; yet, recently, there has been a partial recovery in the markets. While ups and downs in the markets are normal, research has shown that the actual sequence of those market returns (the order in which they are going up or down) within the first five years of starting withdrawals from your retirement assets can have a significant impact on your long-term retirement income.

5 Ways to Stay Confident in Retirement – Step 1

March 17, 2020

Today’s retirees are living longer than ever before and experiencing retirement in new ways.

Gone are the days when people worked 50 years for the same employer, retired on a predictable pension, and settled down into a quiet lifestyle.

Today’s retirees are more active—with baby boomers controlling 70% of the country’s disposable income. They’re traveling the world, learning new skills, and redefining what creates a retirement community. With 10,000 boomers retiring daily, this drive to enjoy a vibrant retirement is becoming more common.

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