Note: The pictures today have little if anything to do with this post. I just liked ‘em, and so they’re included. The only picture that matters today, is the one you have in your head representing your retirement. How’s that lookin’ these days?
Anyway, allow me an attempt to describe you, or someone (Many?) you may know.
You’re between 40-55 or so.
You have $20-100,000 in an IRA or 401(k).
You probably own your own home — mortgaged with payments you can afford.
You make more money at work than a few years ago.
You will make more money a few years from now.
Outside of your work related retirement program, you could last 2-6 months without your job.
Social Security is a central theme in your retirement income scenario — either by default, or plan — whether you admit it or not.
Your kids are either about to enter college, in college, or gone altogether. Wherever you are on that timeline, it’s not a small financial hurdle for most.
Your parents might need some help, if not total financial support — before long.
The thought just occurred to you — your retirement may not be the Jimmy Buffet love-fest you’ve always pictured.
Each birthday that comes and goes only serves to remind you how your so called retirement planning isn’t giving your those warm and fuzzy feelings.
Don’t despair, all is not lost. You just don’t have the #1 cause of a magnificently abundant retirement — A Purposeful Plan.
Now — scroll up toward the top of the blog, and listen to both Purposeful Planning podcasts. Then listen, for good measure, to Grandpa Economics.
You’re welcome. 
Related posts:
- Real Estate Investment For Retirement — The First Step In A Purposeful Plan
- Closing In On Your Goal For Retirement Income? No? — Change What You’re Doing
- Double-Edged Sword — OR — Planning & Discipline — What Does Your Retirement Look Like?
- 10 Ways Real Estate Investors Can Ensure An Abundant Retirement
- What Does Retirement Mean To You?
About BawldGuy
OMG THAT CAT IS HILARIOUS! I jumped off the feed reader to physically come to your site- behold the power of stupid photos!
In seriousness, a word that you used stood out to me- “default.” I believe that MOST people rely on some default SS plan or 401k plan to carry them to their rest home. Too bad those people haven’t met you yet! There should NEVER be a “default” retirement- it should be PURPOSEFULly PLANned.
Lani — It’s worth it just to have made you laugh.
Default will become a concept seen here often, as what you say is, sadly, too true.
Folks — click on Lani’s name, you’ll be glad you did.
It’s been pretty easy to get caught on negativity bandwagon this year even if you’ve made some proper hedge positions. It’s never a bad idea to regain focus on the larger issue of purposeful planning.
Liked the Emmy award the other day as well.
Benn — Thank you so much. I’m genuinely both humbled and honored by your post.
Without Brian Brady, our team would have faired far worse.
Without you, Benn, we wouldn’t have been given the opportunity to overcome the challenge in the first place.
Click on agentgenius readers — Benn Rosales is one of the brightest players on the real estate stage these days. Put his blog on your reader, and make him a habit. You won’t regret it, I promise.
Careful Jeff, you need to be able to fit my head into the car/room when we’re together in Austin in December!