Hey there, future retiree! Dreaming of sipping margaritas on a white sandy beach, but worried about your bank account balance? You’re not alone.
Many of us make common money missteps that can seriously impact our golden years. From overspending to neglecting investments, these pitfalls can derail your retirement plans.
But fear not! By identifying and avoiding these toxic mistakes, you can set yourself up for a financially secure future.
1. Going it alone
To properly manage your money, work with a professional — it’s totally worth it. If you’re not doing this, you could be missing out on some serious financial gains.
A Vanguard study found that, on average, a hypothetical $500,000 investment over 25 years would grow to $1.7 million if you manage it yourself, but more than $3.4 million if you work with a financial advisor. That’s twice as much!
If you’ve got at least $100,000 in investments, check out a free service called SmartAsset. You fill out a short questionnaire and instantly get matched with up to three vetted financial advisors in your area, all legally bound to work in your best interests.
Even if you don’t want help picking investments, an advisor can help lower your tax burden, create a comprehensive financial plan, maximize your Social Security, help with estate planning and making sure you’re on the right track. They can also be there in case one day, you’re not.
Using SmartAsset only takes a few minutes, and in many cases you’ll be offered a free consultation.
Nothing to lose and lots to potentially gain. Take a minute and check it out right now!
Please carefully review the methodologies employed in the Vanguard white paper, “Putting a value on your value: Quantifying Vanguard Advisor’s Alpha.”
2. Not protecting your savings
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 7 in 10 people who turn 65 today will probably need some kind of long-term care.
“But won’t Medicare take care of all that?” Nope. Medicare doesn’t cover long-term custodial care — and paying for it out of pocket could take a huge chunk of your retirement savings. That, plus inflation, could scramble any nest egg.
Solution? Long-term care insurance.
One place to find it is GoldenCare. (Unless you live in the four states where GoldenCare doesn’t operate: Alaska, Florida, Hawaii and Washington.)
At least check it out and see if it’s a fit. Because a little planning today could mean a far more secure tomorrow.
3. Failing to safeguard your home
Home repairs aren’t cheap. Whether it’s a leaky roof or a broken appliance, your castle can quickly crumble and cost you hundreds, or even thousands.
Unless, that is, a home warranty company has your back. Example? First American will protect you from giant bills by covering everything from home appliances to electrical, plumbing, heating and cooling systems — even pools and spa equipment.
They also allow you to customize your plan, so you only pay for what you need.
When something goes wrong, just call First American, day or night. The company has a network of prescreened technicians and typically dispatches an independent contractor within 48 hours.
Hey, if you’re handy and like to repair stuff yourself, that’s obviously the cheapest route. But if that’s not you, a penny spent now could save you big bucks later.
Get your free quote in 30 seconds.
4. Overpaying for car repairs
The cost of car repairs is skyrocketing. One shop told Consumer Reports that a decade ago, their average repair was $1,600. These days, the average bill is $4,000.
If you’re concerned about coming up with thousands of dollars for a repair bill, protect your investment with a CarShield auto warranty.
CarShield provides extended warranty plans of up to 24 months, and allows you to choose from at least six different plans, so you’ll only pay for the coverage you need. They cover cars up to 20 years old and offer flexible month-to-month plans so you’re not locked in for years.
CarShield has a network of thousands of ASE-certified repair shops, and they pay the repair bill. All you cover is the deductible. All their warranties include 24/7 roadside assistance and rental car benefits while your vehicle is being repaired.
ConsumerAffairs calls CarShield “a solid choice” for drivers of any age, and “particularly appealing” for those with older vehicles.
Take a minute right now and get a quote.
5. Not tapping your home equity
Why settle for less when you can create the home of your dreams right where you are? Or use the cash for anything else you need?
With today’s soaring real estate prices, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) could be the answer to unlocking your home’s full potential without breaking the bank.
Instead of stretching your budget on an overpriced new home, tap into the equity you’ve built to finance those renovations you’ve longed for. Upgrade your outdated kitchen, build your dream master suite, or finally add that home office. But the flexibility doesn’t stop there – use your HELOC funds for other goals like consolidating debt, paying for education, taking a dream vacation and more!
The best part? HELOCs typically offer lower interest rates than credit cards or personal loans since they’re secured by your home’s equity. That means big savings while you build lasting value.
Don’t wait any longer to unlock your home’s potential. Visit Money.com's home equity loan table today to easily compare HELOC rates from multiple lenders and find the most affordable option. With just a few clicks, you could be on your way to an envy-worthy dream home or funding anything else on your list!
6. Not diversifying your investments
Investors with significant portions of their savings in the stock market know that what goes up can also go down. While we can’t control the market, many investors have hedged against uncertainty through diversification.
Gold has tended to perform well when stocks struggle, especially during inflation, rising interest rates, and political turmoil.
Augusta Precious Metals stands out in the gold business. Football legend Joe Montana endorses Augusta as the “best overall gold IRA company” and is its ambassador.
They boast an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the 2024 Best Gold IRA Company designation from Money, the highest rating from TrustLink and a 5/5 rating from Consumer Affairs.
Getting started with Augusta Precious Metals is effortless:
- Request their free guide
- Book a complimentary call
- Open a self-directed IRA
- Fund your account (minimum $50,000) via transfer or rollover
- Select your preferred metals with incredible customer support
- Augusta handles purchase and secure storage
With Augusta, customers aren’t just diversifying – they’re securing peace of mind. They offer everything from precious-metal IRAs to gold coins and bars. Plus, precious metals held in a pre-tax IRA will appreciate tax-deferred until you make qualified withdrawals.
Augusta not only offers a price guarantee on all coins, but you may qualify for up to 10 years of fees paid on your custodial and storage services, reimbursed with premium coins added to your
account.
If you ever thought about adding gold to your portfolio, why not take a look right now?
7. Ignoring your health problems
A simple health screening could be worth a lifetime. You see, cardiovascular disease and strokes are two of the leading causes of death in America. And 80% of them are preventable, according to the American Heart Association and the Centers for Disease Control.
There’s someone on your side, too. A company called Life Line Screening is the leading provider of annual screenings for risk of cardiovascular disease, strokes and other chronic diseases. Screenings provide peace of mind or early detection, and both are a good thing.
Getting a screening is convenient and easy. Just go to Life Line Screening’s website and schedule an appointment at one of more than 14,000 locations across the U.S. The screenings are fast, painless and noninvasive. Results are posted in an online portal within a few days.
It’s not just about preventing death, either — it's about saving money, too. Strokes and cardiovascular disease are two of the leading causes of serious long-term disability, which would cost you a lot of money. Knowledge is power, and early detection enables you to take action before it’s too late. That’s why Life Line Screening has been trusted by more than 10 million customers since 1993.
These screenings are recommended for everyone over 40. If you’ve never gotten one, now’s the time. Schedule an appointment here to get 50% off.
8. Not earning extra cash on the side
Lots of companies let you earn money by filling out surveys, completing tasks, signing up for stuff, or playing games.
But FreeCash is in a league of its own.
Freecash boasts the fastest payouts (we’re talking instant!), with minimum withdrawals as low as $5. Plus, you can cash out with PayPal, crypto, gift cards – the choice is yours. FreeCash users have already earned more than $87,000,000!
So try FreeCash. It’s the fast, fun way to earn real cash. Don’t waste another minute – Freecash is waiting!
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