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I am planning to retire (hopefully) soon, and I keep reading things that say I'll need 70% of my pre-retirement income, or 80%, or 90%. The idea being that you will lose some of the expenses related t...
In this episode, we tackle Richard's question about why it might make sense to use IRA (non-Roth) accounts first to pay for long-term care expenses. We'll explain the reasoning behind this strategy, i...
In this episode, we tackle Kay's questions about managing her IRA and Roth accounts in retirement. With significant assets, no LTC insurance, and children in differing financial circumstances, Kay wan...
Today's episode is part rant, part answer to Mike's question about the high cost of prescription drugs under Medicare Part D. We dive into why these costs are so steep, explore alternatives like Canad...
Recently, in her Motley Fool article, A Big Reason the Famous 4% Rule May Not Work for Your Retirement, Maurie Backman confirmed what we have been telling our readers for years—you aren’t ...
FROM THE ARTICLE. Don’t let rising expenses derail your plans. By Sharon Wu, AARP. Published October 09, 2025. Key takeaways! [*] Budget for out-of-pocket health care costs and consider a dedica...
Audit your spending to uncover patterns, cut waste, and align expenses with goals. Small adjustments will boost financial confidence. The post Audit Your Spending: Go Beyond Budgeting with 5 Ways to R...
I have an American Express card I used for work expenses but now that I retiring I think it’s good to rethink how many cards I really need. I have a one card I use for United flights to get extr...
as i am estimating my retirement budget, trying to figure out if i'll have enough to live on given how much i think i'll spend, how long i'll live, etc., i have been using these basic calculations: *T...
At How Much Can I Afford to Spend in Retirement? we encourage retired households to periodically compare the present value of their retirement assets with the present value of their spending liabiliti...
Average 401(k) fund fees and administrative expenses are, in some cases, shockingly high. But don't be misled by gloomy headlines. Here's the skinny....
Learn where to look to save on everyday expenses during retirement....
Hi folks. 59YO here. About 2.5 years put from retirement. Hoping to maintain the same lifestyle post-retirement as we have now. To estimate our expenses post-retirement, can we just take our current t...
Saving money doesn’t have to be complicated. These proven strategies can help reduce expenses, avoid costly habits, and strengthen long-term financial stability. Based on recent consumer and fin...
Everyday costs like groceries, gas, and subscriptions can quietly drain hundreds each month. This gallery breaks down 14 common expenses, supported by consumer spending data from reputable sources, so...
Rising prices are hitting middle-class American families where it hurts. Basic expenses keep increasing for things like housing, food, health care, and more. And while the cost of living keeps going u...
Frugal habits can help you save money, but not all of them pay off. Some cost-cutting strategies backfire, leading to bigger expenses down the road. So let’s talk about the frugal habits that hu...
Whether you're eligible for Medicare or getting coverage through the Affordable Care Act, make sure you plan for premiums, deductibles and other out-of-pocket costs....
Retiring early isn’t just about saving more, it’s about planning for the retirement expenses most people forget. Many think they’ve nailed the numbers, but it’s the overlooked ...
Tuesday, July 01 - Monday, July 07, 2025 Most Commented score comments title & link 153 367 comments Upon retiring, any unexpected expenses? Top Comments score comment 39 /u/ThisIsAbuse said My fr...
Please share any truly unexpected expenses you faced in retirement. I'm coming out before Medicare (but after age 60) and have the health insurance piece worked out. Someone mentioned to me however th...
You might not notice it at first, but over time, silent expenses chip away at your wealth until your money’s slipping out faster than it comes in. These quiet costs often hide in habits that fee...
I looked at a reasonably priced house in Silver City, New Mexico. The property taxes were listed at $6000/year. I'm paying approximately $1200/year (in California). Can the other expenses be low enoug...
Combining a reverse mortgage known as a HECM with a QLAC (qualifying longevity annuity contract) can provide longevity protection, tax savings and liquidity for unplanned expenses....
One of the basic tenets of the Actuarial Approach recommended in this website is to fund the present value of expected essential expenses in retirement with non-risky assets/investments like: Social S...
The Optimization Trap: When Dollars Don’t Equal Happiness We obsess over optimizing our finances—maximizing returns, minimizing expenses, plotting the perfect ... Read more...
We live in an area where we are heavily dependent on cars to go almost anywhere. We are in our first year of retirement, so we are considering options that will reduce our expenses as we adjust to thi...
If you own two cars, shedding one might be easier than you think. And the freedom from rising vehicle expenses can bring relief to retirees....
Some people are broke because they don’t earn enough. Others stay broke because they keep spending like they’re trying to prove something. One choice at a time, they dig the hole deeper, a...
Understanding variable expenses and fixed expenses can help you create a successful budget. Learn the difference and how to manage your variable expenses....
Retirement should be about freedom, not watching money drain away on things that don’t matter. The truth is, small, unnecessary expenses add up fast. Smart retirees know that keeping more cash i...
Saving money isn’t complicated. People just make it that way. You don’t need another budgeting hack, a fancy app, or a financial guru telling you to “cut back on coffee.” What ...
Money isn’t disappearing, it’s leaking. It’s not the big expenses that ruin budgets, but the small, ignored costs that sneak in and pile up. The problem isn’t earning too littl...
Root Collective member Gary asks how to fund a $40K home remodel before retiring—should he use a taxable brokerage account, tax-deferred 401(k), Roth IRA, or cash? Ari and I break down how to ha...
Retirement was supposed to be the reward after decades of hard work. More time with family, less stress, and finally enjoying life without punching a clock. Instead, rising costs are making it harder ...
Assuming you have retired and figured living expenses already, consider ubering people around. If you do it in the day time, it shows you the life you may now be missing - as folk chat about whatever....
Better to be lucky than good! I am almost 61. We have cash already saved to bridge to our target SS filing age that should cover 5 years of expenses (rental income will make up part of the total we ne...
Anyone have a good framework for a living agreement? My GF and I are empty nesters, and have been living together for about a year in my place. Her condo just sold, and we'll be living here until I re...
The decision to move your parent into assisted living is a difficult one. And the expenses of it add another layer of complexity. The post The Challenges of Long-Distance Eldercare appeared first on T...
In this episode, we tackle Richard’s question about why it might make sense to use IRA (non-Roth) accounts first to pay for long-term care expenses. We’ll explain the reasoning behind this...
Health care and inflation are among the factors that can derail retirement budgets....
My wife and I have been Verizon customers for over 20 years and, now that we’re retired, are looking for ways to reduce our monthly expenses. My mother was on our plan and recently passed away s...
You might need to save more than you think you do. Here are some expenses that might be larger than you expect, along with ways to ensure you save enough....
I am getting close to pulling the pin, but my house was built in 1994 and it’s showing its age. It needs new windows, a new garage roof, a new furnace and a roof. And to top it off, we have a ca...
Is anyone familiar with this idea by William Bernstein ? He says to set up a part of your portfolio to cover necessary expenses in retirement and then invest the rest. Include all safe payouts like So...
Exam preparation often involves securing textbooks and study materials, and making a time and effort commitment. But it’s important not to see this as just a cost - but rather as a strategic inv...
Fidelity’s 16th Annual Resolutions Study finds unexpected expenses and inflation are top…...
I’m retiring in a few weeks, and we’ll have enough in our taxable (brokerage) account to cover 3-4 years. I decided to keep about a year’s expenses in a HYSA, and put the rest in a t...
Being financially independent means having enough passive income to cover your essential or desired living expenses. A common guideline is to aim for a net worth equal to 25 times your annual expenses...
Most people think of Medicare – not Medicaid – when considering government health care for older Americans. However, Medicaid, the program that covers the medical expenses of the poor, spe...