scott sommers

The great Yogi Berra once said, “If you don’t know where you’re going, you will end up in a different place.” When planning for retirement, Yogi’s words are spot on. Today, instead of lecturing you on retirement we thought it would be easier to ask two main questions.

1. Are you saving enough for retirement today?
2. How much is enough?

Its important to know what you need to be earning on your retirement assets in the next 20, 30, or 40 years to ensure that you can retire comfortably and meet your goals. Navigating risk is important in retirement as well. What funds you will invest in. What insurance or long-term health care will you need and have when you reach retirement. What about taxes? What are you doing today to minimize your taxes in the future? These are all very important factors we all need to consider when planning for retirement.

A good retirement plan provides a roadmap that ensures you know where you are going, and that you will arrive at your destination safely.

One of the biggest concerns couples have is how to talk about their finances. When it comes to money and finances, this question almost always hits the top five list.

So, how should couples talk about finances? Well first, it’s important to ask these three questions: What? How? and When?

First, you need to determine what you are specifically going to talk about when it comes to your finances. Start by asking questions like what are you goals together?  What are your dreams?  What are your concerns?  Questions like these are crucial for you and your spouse to get on the same page.

Next, it’s important to ask how. How will you talk about your finances? The environment in which you talk about your finances needs to be open, safe, and honest.

Lastly, you need to ask when.  When should you talk about your finances. You need to set up a consistent time for you to discuss your finances together. Whether it be weekly, monthly, or even quarterly, you need to set apart specific time to talk about your finances.

Finances are not easy to talk about, but they are a crucial part to any relationship. You can’t stick your head in the sand and hope they will somehow sort themselves out. Learn how to effectively talk about your finances.