cjcagle I am in my 60s and still working in a full-time job. If I were to retire tomorrow, I wouldn’t be considered an “early retiree.” In fact, because I am 64, I’m older than the average retirement age in the U.S., which is 63. It’s not that I can’t retire, I just haven’t wanted to … Read more
As you probably know, on this blog I try to remain relatively neutral when it comes to money and politics. That’s because I think stewardship principles derived from the Bible are timeless and applicable in any political climate. Furthermore, I think political outcomes tend to have a relatively modest impact on our individual finances, at … Read more
I recently read a very enlightening article titled, “Study: Money Secrets and Sluggish Savings Put Couples’ Retirement Dreams at Risk.” The study, which was conducted by nerdwallet.com and Harris Poll, showed some very concerning trends in communication by couples about retirement: 21 percent of Americans have no idea how much their spouse has saved for … Read more
From the story of the ten lepers (Luke 17:11-19), we learn that stewardship is not simply about money. Stewardship is both a principle and a practice, a lifelong attitude and activity that has many aspects. It is a realization of who God is and what he has done – how he has provided for us. … Read more
As I discussed in my last article, there are two major areas of concern when it comes to protecting your identity and preventing theft and fraud. The first is your paper assets such as financial statements and the digital assets that you manage and control on your personal devices (computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.). The second … Read more
I often write about using various online and computer-based tools and services to help simplify and manage your personal and financial life. These can very helpful and convenient, but they also carry the risk of being compromised in some way. Even mishandling physical documents, such as account statements you receive in the mail, can lead … Read more
In my last article on annuities, I discussed the different types of annuities and their use inside retirement accounts. As you could probably tell, I’m not a huge fan of variable or indexed annuities, especially when used for retirement saving and investing inside an IRA. My biggest concerns have to do with their complexity and high costs relative … Read more
I was inspired to write this article by something that a young man shared with me in a men’s books study meeting early this morning. He reminded me that I had been one of his teachers in children’s ministry in our church many years ago. He admitted that he wasn’t a model student, but now … Read more
As a financial coach, I often work with folks who are in the accumulation/growth phase of planning for retirement (i.e., 5 to 10 years or more away). Sometimes I come across someone who has either: 1) received a recommendation from their stock broker or insurance salesperson to purchase a fixed-rate, indexed, or variable annuity product … Read more
