Financial Information

These days, it’s not uncommon to find that many baby boomers are coming into their first divorce, may have lost a business, or have found themselves mired deeply in dept.  These financial pitfalls are not just emotionally draining – they can have a devastating impact on your retirement savings if you don’t take the proper steps to protect them.  Many people faced with financial downfall turn to their savings and investments to get them out of debt or pay for that divorce.  However, if you want to reach that retirement age any time soon, then you’ll need to start over again – and we’re here to show you how.

Don’t Let Emotions Hold You Back. Debt can be depressing enough – but debt that’s caused by divorce or a medical emergency can be downright debilitating.  Don’t let your emotions get the best of you when it comes to starting over with your retirement; instead, separate your personal issues from your finances and move forward.

Get An Objective Opinion. This is where an investment advisor or financial planner comes in.  If you’ve had your money basics down pat and just need to boost your savings after a divorce or medical emergency, then go for a registered investment advisor; if, however, you don’t know how to rub two dollars together, get a financial planner to teach you the basics about money.

Don’t Second-Guess The Numbers.  Don’t live in ignorance about your overall retirement savings or your debt – sometimes facing up to what you owe can be more freeing than ignoring the numbers.  Again, get that investment advisor to help you come up with savings and investments that will get you back on track towards financial security again.

Cut Expenses. The old saying really is true: every little helps.  This means you’re going to have to comb through your expenses and get deals wherever possible.  While you may not see the benefits at first, trust us, it adds up at the end of the year.  Additionally, don’t drain anymore of your resources on major purchases – this means if you have a kid in school, have them take out student loans to finance their own education.  It’s harsh, but it’s necessary to get your retirement back on track.

Keep Working.  It might be time to push your retirement age up or earn extra money on the side – whatever option you choose, the extra income will help cushion your retirement savings.

For more information on smart retirement planning, visit www.kenhimmler.com, the IRA and 401(k) experts!

Authored by Kenneth Himmler, Sr.

I’m always amused by people who will spend a lot of time and effort becoming educated on topics such as the best type of big screen TV to buy, yet completely ignore their financial education and are surprised if their retirement savings don’t work out as they thought they should.

Sometimes the excuse is that they don’t understand, and they simply rely on their investment advisor to take care of their savings for them. Certainly if you go to Ken Himmler (www.kenhimmler.com) for his services or use Integrated Asset Management (www.iamllc.biz) for your portfolio you have every reason to believe that your money will be put in the best investments.

That shouldn’t mean that you do not take an interest in your money, and study the options that are available – far from it. It is the most critical aspect of your retirement planning and you need to understand what is being talked about when you discuss investment advice.

Everyone is different in terms of their expectations for their money, and how they feel about risk, and generally for the higher returns you need to take a higher risk, which means that your investment is more likely to fluctuate and might not perform as well as you hope.

The best advisors will take time with you and learn what your personal financial goals and risk profile are, so they can suggest a portfolio to suit you. There is no “one size fits all” solution, and your investments should reflect your personality. The best investments for one person may be wrong for another.

Generally you will be advised to have diversified investments, as no-one can guarantee any particular performance. So that you can understand what is involved with each type of fund or security, there are many sources of free investment research which you can check online. For instance, you can look up mutual fund performance on www.morningstar.com. It’s your money, and you owe it to yourself to get a basic investment education so that you can be sure your investments match your aspirations.

Authored by Kenneth Himmler, Sr.

The economy has been hitting your retirement fund hard.  Between the fluctuating market to the threat of inflation, it’s no wonder that you’re worried about the health of your retirement savings – and are possibly tempted to just put off saving for retirement until the recession disappears.  However, now is not the time to give up! 

We’ve got four of the easiest yet most effective weapons you can use in the battle against a downturn economy – so you can spend more time planning your dream Florida retirement and less time worrying about the current bear market.

Buy More Bonds.  Now that stocks are wildly fluctuating, it’s time to chuck some of your riskiest stocks in favor of safe investments, like bonds, TIPS and CDs.  Ask your investment advisor which investments will best balance out any losses you may incur due to shaky stocks. 

Become An Entrepreneur.  For many retirees, quitting their day jobs just isn’t an option.  If you want to look for something to do during your retirement, why not dabble in a bit of entrepreneurship?  Sell your crafts online, write articles for newspapers or invest in real estate – whatever you choose, make sure it can make you money!

Keep A Constant Check-up.  It’s important to talk to your investment advisor about the health of your investments every year, no matter what kind of condition the market is in.  Make sure your portfolio is continually updated so that you’re taking on the appropriate amount of risk for your age.  Remember, you want your investments to be more conservative the closer you get to your retirement age. 

Consider Moving Up Your Retirement Age. If you saw a sharp decline in your 401(k) retirement fund as a result of the recession, consider retiring between the ages of 65-67.  It’s going to take just under two years in order to recoup any losses that you may have experienced, so working just a few more months can make a huge difference.

For more information on smart retirement planning, visit www.kenhimmler.com, the IRA and 401K experts!

Authored By Kenneth Himmler, Sr.