Buying a Home: Before or After Retirement?

For the Home

A move to a smaller home is a positive lifestyle and financial change all empty-nesters and retirement age individuals should consider. While there are many fond memories of the house in which you raised your family, it’s time to think about your own needs as you approach a new phase in life. Many people dream of buying their ideal retirement …

Retirement Planning: The Basics

Directions Financial Solutions

You may have a very idealistic vision of retirement — doing all of the things that you never seem to have time to do now. But how do you pursue that vision? Social Security may be around when you retire, but the benefit that you get from Uncle Sam may not provide enough income for your retirement years. To make …

Estimating Your Retirement Income Needs

Directions Financial Solutions

You know how important it is to plan for your retirement, but where do you begin? One of your first steps should be to estimate how much income you’ll need to fund your retirement. That’s not as easy as it sounds, because retirement planning is not an exact science. Your specific needs depend on your goals and many other factors. …

CARES Act: Retirement Plan Relief Provisions

Directions Financial Solutions

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law on March 27, 2020.  This $2 trillion emergency relief package represents a bipartisan effort to assist both individuals and businesses in the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and accompanying economic crisis. The CARES Act provisions for retirement plan relief for individuals under federal tax law are discussed here. For …

7 Money Myths You Need to Stop Believing Now

Personal Finances

We all grow up hearing the same financial advice: Spend less, save more and invest early. While most of these words of wisdom ring true, there are lots of widespread money management tips that are actually false. Read on for 7 money myths that might be causing you more financial stress than benefit.   Myth #1: Debit is always better …

Don’t Sleep On Your Savings: Avoiding Dormant Accounts

Personal Finances

The best things to do with a savings account is to forget about it and let it earn dividends. However, don’t forget about it so long that it becomes dormant. A dormant savings account is one with a low balance that has had no deposits in a while. Exact criteria varies by state. Generally, accounts with less than $50 that …