Awakening Financial Security: Igniting Your Retirement Motivation
By Susan Alefi
Will you be accompanying your child to college this summer? Or perhaps your child is graduating from college this summer and you are officially becoming an empty nester. What conversations will you and your spouse have while sitting around the dining table, just you two alone or you by yourself? How do you perceive your life evolving?
First and foremost, congratulations on guiding your child to the milestone of college age. You have probably sacrificed so much of yourself to help your child get to the place he/she is today. As the old adage goes, it takes a village to raise a child.
Now, that you may have some available time on your calendar, I encourage you to ponder the following suggestions to assist you in shifting your focus to your wellbeing. Ultimately, the possibilities are endless, and as an empty nester, you have the opportunity to rediscover yourself and pursue your passion with newfound freedom:
Pursue hobbies and interests that you may have set aside while raising children.
Travel to new destinations or revisit favorite places without the constraints of school schedules.
Engage in physical activities such as hiking, biking, or joining a fitness class.
Volunteer for causes they are passionate about, whether it's in the community, or local charities.
Take up new learning opportunities, such as enrolling in courses, joining book clubs, or attending workshops. How about learning a new language?
Focus on self-care and well-being through activities like meditation, yoga, or regular spa visits.
Explore new culinary adventures by experimenting with cooking or trying out new restaurants.
Invest time in relationships with friends and family, nurturing connections that may have taken a backseat during the busy parenting years.
Get involved in creative pursuits like painting, writing, gardening, or photography.
Consider part-time work, consulting, or starting a small business to stay intellectually engaged and contribute to financial stability.
After you have found peace within yourself, it would be crucial, to take some time to pivot your attention on your financial situation. Now that your kids have left home, consider prioritizing your expenses to align with your retirement goals. These are key, important questions to ask yourself:
Have you considered when you would like to retire?
Where would you like to retire?
Would you consider downsizing your home to free up cash and reduce expenses?
How much income will you need to retire?
What are the tax implications of your retirement income check?
If you are only counting on Social Security, will the amount be enough to take care of your financial needs?
What if you get in an accident and become disabled, do you have disability insurance? Where will your income come from to take care of you?
What if you become chronically ill, where will your income come to pay for the expenses?
What if your spouse dies, do you have enough assets to supplement the lost income?
What will happen if you die, your child inherits your money, and only to see half of their inheritance that you left them, go to their ex- spouse after a divorce?
What happens if you pass away, leaving your child to inherit your wealth, only for them to face a lawsuit that results in the entirety of their inheritance being depleted?
What will happen if you pass, and you don’t have the proper legal documents in place and your assets go to probate?
These are questions to ask yourself, that are only a starting point, the tip of the iceberg.
“I empower wealth builders on their journey towards financial independence by providing them with the resources, and personalized strategies needed to navigate and help shape their prosperous futures.”
Susan Alefi, AAMS®, ChFC®
CTEC, Registered Tax Preparer
Wealth Management Advisor