Financial planning tips for those with an established life. Its that time of year when we start to think about taxes, which then gets us thinking about our money and investing.
Planning, saving and investing for our retirement changes over time as our needs change. In our younger years, we would save for our retirement as well as put some money away for the kids education. Well now that we are older our financial needs have changed, again. No longer are we putting money away for the kids post secondary education, we are withdrawing. But we still need to continue to plan for our retirement.
So we have asked a professional to provide us some financial planning tips for those with an established life.
Read on to find out 4 Missteps to Avoid When Investing for Retirement
Planning your investments for retirement doesn’t need to be a risky business (even for those with high risk tolerance). Almost anyone can build toward a comfortable retirement with strategic investments. Unfortunately, it’s the strategy portion that tends to trip people up the most.
Most people make the same common mistakes when planning for retirement. There are a few reasons for that, but mostly, it results from misinformation or a lack of information. Here are four of the top retirement investing errors the team at Raintree Financial Solutions has seen, and how to avoid them:
The Top Four Mistakes in Retirement Investments
Relying on Outdated Investment Advice
The financial world moves at a fast pace. Within the span of a few years, regulations can change, new opportunities can arise, and markets can shift. Investment opportunities can also expand. This is especially true in the realm of alternative investments, which we see as an important option for diversifying portfolios.
Unfortunately, many investors tend to rely on the “common knowledge” handed down from their parents’ generation, or even from friends and family who started investing years ago. While some of the main tenets of investing from decades past may continue to hold water, investments have shifted enough to warrant a fresh perspective. We believe that the old formulas (such as the 60/40 formula for stocks and bonds) don’t provide enough diversification for modern portfolios.
To avoid missing out on new opportunities, stick to taking relationship advice from your parents and source up to date investment information from professionals.
Banking on Big Bets
Everyone has heard of “get rich quick” schemes, and we all tend to think, “Ah, I’d never fall for that.” That is, until a hot tip on a great investment lands at your feet and you just can’t resist. These instances happen more frequently in the investment world than you might think. While there are some great results for the few, the majority will be disappointed when they realize their solid gold egg is actually only dipped in gold.
A more deceiving, but equally insidious form of a “big bet” happens when you put all your investment into your employer’s stock. You might have more confidence and comfort because you’re familiar with the inner workings of the company, but the reality is, no one can predict stock values plummeting for any company, and that includes the one you work for. Since you already work there, this exposes you to the risk of losing your job and investment.
This is yet another reason to bring a professional on board for your investment decisions and portfolio diversification. If you want to place a big bet, book a trip to Las Vegas. If you want to make responsible, stable decisions about retirement, get a second opinion before you shell out everything you have on a single roll of the dice.
Not Continuing to Invest after Retirement
Many retirees see their retirement date like crossing a finish line, when in fact, it’s more like passing a mile marker in a much longer race. People tend to want to stop investing as soon as they’ve passed that point. However, a well-planned investment strategy will help you continue to invest during retirement while still providing sufficient income from your current savings and investments. What might change is what you invest in to meet your risk profile and objectives.
Continuing to make investments allows retirees even more confidence as they work their way through retirement. With added growth, they’re able to deal with unexpected expenses, be more flexible with their income and financial decisions, and continue building wealth for the next generation.
Not Working with a Portfolio Manager
Unless you’re planning on becoming a portfolio manager yourself, it’s unlikely you’ll ever spend the time or energy on learning everything there is to know about investing. Just like trusting a doctor with your health or a real estate agent with the purchase of your home, investment works best when you’re guided by a professional you have confidence in.
Portfolio managers charge transparent fees (typically based on a percentage of your investments) and have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of their clients. They’re experts in all kinds of investments and strategies, and they work on an individual basis to customize an investment plan based on factors like your income, goals, and retirement timeline.
If you’ve done any of your own investment research, you’ll likely recognize the all-important word in investments: diversification. Portfolio managers will help you diversify your portfolio to mitigate risk and improve the potential for returns. They’ll also help you sort through those offers or leads that sound exciting, but maybe a little too good to be true.
Refresh Your Investment Education
You can learn more about alternative investment opportunities, fresh investment strategies, and professional portfolio management by visiting www.raintreefs.com. Business owners can also head to www.raintreecf.com for detailed investment information for corporations. If you’re interested in a personal conversation to review your retirement plan, please reach out to Art Reimer by sending an email to areimer@raintreefs.com.
Disclaimer: This document is not intended to be relied upon in connection with a purchase of securities. These highlights are for information purposes only and do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy the securities referred to herein. The securities are offered by means of the Offering Memorandum. This document may represent target financial returns and may not be predictive of actual performance.
My husband and I have definitely looked at our investments differently over the past few years. And have welcomed any financial planning tips for those with an established life. Thank you Art, for helping us with the 4 missteps to avoid when planning for retirement.
This is also a great conversation starter to have with your young adults as they start to make some money. Because it is never too early to start investing for the future. Also check out this post on Talking to your Teen about Taxes.
Happy Investing 🙂
Danni
