Retire at 55 and live to 80

[monkey]

How do you find a honest reliable financial adviser ???? Do you really need one ? Is it worth the cost ? We are saving, 401K, etc... Paying things off... Trying to get ready on our own. How many of you have Not paid a FA ?????
Monkey

[Monacoach]

My financial advisor is the internet.

[tmw188]

Originally Posted by monkey

How do you find a honest reliable financial adviser ???? Do you really need one ? Is it worth the cost ? We are saving, 401K, etc... Paying things off... Trying to get ready on our own. How many of you have Not paid a FA ?????
Monkey

Talk to friends that you know who are retired and maybe who you think might use one. Some believe in them some don't. You don't know what you don't know. Listen to some talk shows that have advisors on during the weekends learn some by listening to them. Many have shows online you can listen to. Look for a common thread of advice. They can charge from 1-1.5% of your portfolio. Some are fee based some are not. I will say this if you try to do it all yourself you will probably reactive on decisions where as they should be proactive. You can check them out thru finra.org
They are more popular than yrs. ago.

[timjet]

Originally Posted by monkey

How do you find a honest reliable financial adviser ???? Do you really need one ? Is it worth the cost ? We are saving, 401K, etc... Paying things off... Trying to get ready on our own. How many of you have Not paid a FA ?????
Monkey

Are you comfortable and confident making your own financial investment decisions? Do you have the right allocation for your age? Do you have a long term care plan? How about an umbrella policy? Is it wise to spend your pretax money on toys or better to borrow? Are you comfortable weathering the ups and downs of the market or do you sweat each time the market dumps 500 pts. Know everything about social security? Will you outlive your savings?

If you know the answers to these and many other retirement and investment questions, you don't need an advisor.

This is not 1950, life is way more complicated. An advisor that specializes in retirement is a good option.

[4x4ord]

I'm 55 and although I could easily afford to retire and live a lifestyle far above that which we have ever lived I decided to take on a bunch of business debt to expand. As it is I have no plans to retire. I think retiring is great for people who have developed some keen interests outside their work.....Right now we do a little RVing and a little traveling and can still enjoy working.

[scbwr]

DW and I were fortunate to retire when we turned 55 and I'll be 69 in January. We've really enjoyed our retirement and stay quite busy. But, retirement works out well for some people, while some people are happier having a job to go to. So, everyone has to do what works for them. And, in today's world, if you can retire at a younger age and not have to worry about finances, you're very fortunate. We count our blessing all the time as when we were younger, we never thought we would be as "comfortable" as we are today!

[Wrktfsh]

Retired at 55, DW too. Busy as ever. Sometimes I think I need a job to get a break

[Stano]

I was fortunately to retire from the auto industry at age 60. Now I'm 70. Where did the past 10 years go? We spend our winters in Florida! The closer you get to 70 the more time you spend at the doctors office. So get out of the work force when you can!

Stano

[Jayco1]

I retired at 55 after working 33.5 years with a electric utility company most of this time on rotating shift and on call 24/7. Just to add I started working full and part time since the 10 grade.

We have been marred 50 years one of the thing my wife and I talked about was we did not wont to work all our life for someone. That was the long range plan and so to this point it has worked out for us we both have turned 70 now. We have liver a frugal life and saved money where we could.

We do not have a smart ass phone and don’t wont one our flip phone served us well.

Retirement works out well for some people, while some people are happier having a job to go to everyone has to do what works for them.

We will be leaving the day after Mothers day May 12,2019 for our longest trip to date ALASKA (it’s a long way from Alabama) wish us luck and God bless you all be safe on the road and happy RVing.


We count our blessing all the time.



I urge you to travel. As far and as much as possible.

Work ridiculous shifts to save your money. Go without the latest I Phone (I don't have one).

Throw yourself out of your comfort zone. Find out how others people live and realize that the world is a much bigger place than the town you live in.


Between 65 and death

found this on FB:
posted by:
Steve Korker July 14, 2016 ·

Many of us are between 65 and death, i.e. old.

This excellent list for aging . . . and I have to agree it's good advice to follow. I'm particularly interested in tune with #19.

1. It’s time to use the money you saved up. Use it and enjoy it. Don’t just keep it for those who may have no notion of the sacrifices you made to get it. Remember there is nothing more dangerous than a son or daughter-in-law with big ideas for your hard-earned capital. Warning: This is also a bad time for investments, even if it seems wonderful or fool-proof. They only bring problems and worries. This is a time for you to enjoy some peace and quiet.

2. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children and grandchildren, and don’t feel bad spending your money on yourself. You’ve taken care of them for many years, and you’ve taught them what you could. You gave them an education, food, shelter and support. The responsibility is now theirs to earn their own money.

3. Keep a healthy life, without great physical effort. Do moderate exercise (like walking every day), eat well and get your sleep. It’s easy to become sick, and it gets harder to remain healthy. That is why you need to keep yourself in good shape and be aware of your medical and physical needs. Keep in touch with your doctor, do tests even when you’re feeling well. Stay informed.

4. Always buy the best, most beautiful items for your significant other. The key goal is to enjoy your money with your partner. One day one of you will miss the other, and the money will not provide any comfort then, enjoy it together.

5. Don’t stress over the little things. You’ve already overcome so much in your life. You have good memories and bad ones, but the important thing is the present. Don’t let the past drag you down and don’t let the future frighten you. Feel good in the now. Small issues will soon be forgotten.

6. Regardless of age, always keep love alive. Love your partner, love life, love your family, love your neighbor and remember: “A man is not old as long as he has intelligence and affection.”

7. Be proud, both inside and out. Don’t stop going to your hair salon or barber, do your nails, go to the dermatologist and the dentist, keep your perfumes and creams well stocked. When you are well-maintained on the outside, it seeps in, making you feel proud and strong.

8. Don’t lose sight of fashion trends for your age, but keep your own sense of style. There’s nothing worse than an older person trying to wear the current fashion among youngsters. You’ve developed your own sense of what looks good on you – keep it and be proud of it. It’s part of who you are.

9. ALWAYS stay up-to-date. Read newspapers, watch the news. Go online and read what people are saying. Make sure you have an active email account and try to use some of those social networks. You’ll be surprised what old friends you’ll meet. Keeping in touch with what is going on and with the people you know is important at any age.

10. Respect the younger generation and their opinions. They may not have the same ideals as you, but they are the future, and will take the world in their direction. Give advice, not criticism, and try to remind them that yesterday’s wisdom still applies today.

11. Never use the phrase: “In my time.” Your time is now. As long as you’re alive, you are part of this time. You may have been younger, but you are still you now, having fun and enjoying life.

12. Some people embrace their golden years, while others become bitter and surly. Life is too short to waste your days on the latter. Spend your time with positive, cheerful people, it’ll rub off on you and your days will seem that much better. Spending your time with bitter people will make you older and harder to be around.

13. Do not surrender to the temptation of living with your children or grandchildren (if you have a financial choice, that is). Sure, being surrounded by family sounds great, but we all need our privacy. They need theirs and you need yours. If you’ve lost your partner (our deepest condolences), then find a person to move in with you and help out. Even then, do so only if you feel you really need the help or do not want to live alone.

14. Don’t abandon your hobbies. If you don’t have any, make new ones. You can travel, hike, cook, read, dance. You can adopt a cat or a dog, grow a garden, play cards, checkers, chess, dominoes, golf. You can paint, volunteer or just collect certain items. Find something you like and spend some real time having fun with it.

15. Even if you don’t feel like it, try to accept invitations. Baptisms, graduations, birthdays, weddings, conferences. Try to go. Get out of the house, meet people you haven’t seen in a while, experience something new (or something old). But don’t get upset when you’re not invited. Some events are limited by resources, and not everyone can be hosted. The important thing is to leave the house from time to time. Go to museums, go walk through a field. Get out there.

16. Be a conversationalist. Talk less and listen more. Some people go on and on about the past, not caring if their listeners are really interested. That’s a great way of reducing their desire to speak with you. Listen first and answer questions, but don’t go off into long stories unless asked to. Speak in courteous tones and try not to complain or criticize too much unless you really need to. Try to accept situations as they are. Everyone is going through the same things, and people have a low tolerance for hearing complaints. Always find some good things to say as well.

17. Pain and discomfort go hand in hand with getting older. Try not to dwell on them but accept them as a part of the cycle of life we’re all going through. Try to minimize them in your mind. They are not who you are, they are something that life added to you. If they become your entire focus, you lose sight of the person you used to be.

18. If you’ve been offended by someone – forgive them. If you’ve offended someone - apologize. Don’t drag around resentment with you. It only serves to make you sad and bitter. It doesn’t matter who was right. Someone once said: “Holding a grudge is like taking poison and expecting the other person to die.” Don’t take that poison. Forgive, forget and move on with your life.

19. If you have a strong belief, savor it. But don’t waste your time trying to convince others. They will make their own choices no matter what you tell them, and it will only bring you frustration. Live your faith and set an example. Live true to your beliefs and let that memory sway them.

20. Laugh. Laugh A LOT. Laugh at everything. Remember, you are one of the lucky ones. You managed to have a life, a long one. Many never get to this age, never get to experience a full life. But you did. So what’s not to laugh about? Find the humor in your situation.

21. Take no notice of what others say about you and even less notice of what they might be thinking. They’ll do it anyway, and you should have pride in yourself and what you’ve achieved. Let them talk and don’t worry. They have no idea about your history, your memories and the life you’ve lived so far. There’s still much to be written, so get busy writing and don’t waste time thinking about what others might think. Now is the time to be at rest, at peace and as happy as you can be!

REMEMBER: “Life is too short to drink bad wine.”

[OldBeaver]

Originally Posted by timjet

I think the statistical data used by the author quoted by the OP are one sided. Boeing and Lockheed, both aviation companies have historically had poor employee relations and many of their employees are unionized with mostly blue collar jobs.

Now if the author would evaluate tech companies like Intel, Cisco Sys, Google or Apple with progressive attitudes toward work and employee relations, I would bet the results would be a bit different.

So it may not be the job but the value your employer puts on your contribution and your attitude toward the company that makes the difference.

Wrong.wrong.wrong.
These companies have unbelievable amounts of BS that would probably give someone like me s stoke before hitting 50.
I have seen people that come from these companies. Makes me want to throw them off the roof or down the elevator shaft, especially the management type.
Dilbert is not just a cartoon. It is a cave wall painting that chronicles the life in American tech companies.

[Fiesta48]

Retired at 55. Now 70. Stress went to near zero. Fairly healthy, on no meds.
Started saving at 28. Now can't spend enough for the income coming in.
Full timers trying to get to the balance of the Nat Parks not been to. Not many left. Been in all 50 states, well not in my MH!

[rapid rick]

Originally Posted by monkey

How do you find a honest reliable financial adviser ???? Do you really need one ? Is it worth the cost ? We are saving, 401K, etc... Paying things off... Trying to get ready on our own. How many of you have Not paid a FA ?????
Monkey

I for 1 do not trust anyone with MY money. Common sense,hard work and solid financial decisions =comfortable retirement at 57.

[Finance]

Originally Posted by monkey

How do you find a honest reliable financial adviser ???? Do you really need one ? Is it worth the cost ? We are saving, 401K, etc... Paying things off... Trying to get ready on our own. How many of you have Not paid a FA ?????
Monkey

Pretty much what Rick said. I'll add that most people lack the financial education to manage without assistance. My first recommendation would always be to invest your time and effort in educating yourself. No advisor will take as much care as you will with your own money.

That said, it should be done the earlier the better, because time is your friend when saving and investing. People later in life that need guidance should look for a fee only fiduciary advisor. Avoid commissioned agents like the plague. Avoid percentage scalpers.

It also depends on your innate abilities to some extent. Not everyone can make rational decisions about money, it's a very emotional thing and there's a constant cultural bias in this country encouraging people to live beyond their means. You have to perform in a non-supportive environment, sadly.

[ByeTheWay]

Retired at 53, now 71. DW retired at 52, now 70.
Every night is Friday nite and everyday is Saturday!!!