This is a guest post by Mike Egan who is the author of “Your Stronger Financial Future”. A recent article in the New York Times focuses on seniors who are considering mortgages on new homes when they retire. The article is a good summary of what seniors (or anyone considering a mortgage application) should expect and the specific items to have handy, such as proof of income and a good credit score. What the article doesn’t address is the question of whether a mortgage is a good idea, either for a senior (65 and older) or anyone else. … [Read more...] about How Debt Can Ruin Your Retirement
Retirement
Your 401k Retirement Plan Is Not An Emergency Fund
Recently, one of my coworkers asked my opinion about taking out a 401k loan to help replace a blown engine in his wife’s car. This is a horrible idea. Your retirement plan is not an emergency fund. Car troubles, uninsured medical expenses, house renovations, and other everyday items are not great uses for money that you have invested in your retirement fund. You should not use your 401k as an emergency fund. It was not designed for that, and you potentially ruin the benefits that the retirement plans were designed to give you. Some … [Read more...] about Your 401k Retirement Plan Is Not An Emergency Fund
Understanding the Ins and Outs of 401k Retirement Plans
What if you were told that you could invest in a savings plan at work where each dollar you put into it is taken off the top? Or, the amount of your contribution will lower the amount you pay in yearly income tax? You need to understand the ins and outs of 401k retirement plans! Also, every dollar and cent you fund the account with will grow tax-deferred. Not only that, each of your 401k retirement plan contributions will make it possible for your employer to match those amounts as well. The Basics of a 401k Retirement Plan The 401k … [Read more...] about Understanding the Ins and Outs of 401k Retirement Plans