Executive Summary The “Big Beautiful Bill,” officially called the Working Families Tax Cut, has been billed as a major win for middle-class Americans. But the real impact depends on where you are in life, and for retirees, that means a mix of opportunity and uncertainty. Some changes may temporarily reduce taxes or boost deductions, while […]
Keith Demetriades, CFP®, CKA® Owning a home away from home can add some significant value to your portfolio and your ROL (Return On Life). A second home can be an escape, a change of scenery, a place to immerse yourself in specific interests, sports, or hobbies, or the focal point of meaningful get-togethers for generations […]
Executive Summary Great retirements don’t just happen. The happiest retirees create them by developing habits that keep them engaged, healthy, and connected. Money provides the foundation — it covers the basics and removes financial stress — but happiness in retirement comes from more than just having enough saved. It’s what you do with your time, […]
Keith Demetriades, CFP®, CKA® Unretirement is on the rise. According to a recent survey by F&G Annuities & Life, 29% of retirees are considering a return to work. That includes 54% of Gen Xers who retired early. While many retirees jump back into the workforce because they are worried about running out of money or […]
Executive Summary Most retirement calculators start with one number — your income — and spit out a savings target. The problem is that approach ignores how your spending actually changes once you stop working. Retirement isn’t a flat line. Some costs disappear, new ones show up, and spending patterns shift between your early “go years” […]
Keith Demetriades, CFP®, CKA® You’ve been working towards this moment for decades. But have you really prepared for it? Once the countdown is over and you’ve left your retirement party, the reality of retirement is going to set in. And many new retirees are surprised by the waves of emotions they feel, especially in those […]
Executive Summary If you leave a job in your 50s, you may have more options than you think. Buried in the tax code is something called the “Age 55 Rule,” and it can save you thousands of dollars in penalties if you need to tap your retirement account before 59½. The problem is, hardly anyone […]
Keith Demetriades, CFP®, CKA® The “best” college for your student isn’t the college with the highest ranking in a magazine or online poll. It’s the school where the investments of time and money that you and your student make will generate the highest ROI (Return on Investment) and ROL (Return on Life). Talk to your […]
Executive Summary Retirement overspending doesn’t usually come from big splurges. It comes from everyday costs that keep rolling long after they’ve stopped being useful. Things like old insurance policies, memberships you don’t use, convenience fees, or service plans built for a house full of kids. When those habits go unchecked, they can drain thousands of […]
Executive Summary “Do I have enough money to retire?” is the number one question in retirement planning. But here’s another that should be at the top of your list: “What happens if life doesn’t go according to plan?” Markets won’t always cooperate. Health and family needs can change in an instant. Building in these five […]