Supercharge Your Retirement
and live happily ever after!
Retirement is an attractive option for people who have worked hard all their lives. Relax in your flip flops on the beach or in the mountains. But if you haven’t been stashing cash for that happy day, retirement can be scary or impossible. You’re still working? Great! It’s not too late to start. Your biggest problem is finding the money and the discipline to save.
Most of us have too much month left at the end of our money! So, what to do? Where to get the extra cash for your retirement nest egg? It may not be easy but it’s not complicated. There are concrete, practical and simple actions you can take now to be happily comfortable in your golden years.
Review Your Spending
Review your current spending and find areas to reduce expenses. Create a comprehensive budget. Outline your income and expenses to analyze your spending habits. Find where you can save. A great place to start is discretionary spending. Do you really need to go to dinner and a movie tonight? Stay home, make some popcorn and watch a TV movie instead. But every date night doesn’t have to be sacrificed. Just be aware and make small adjustments to your spending. Then stash away those funds you don’t spend.
Set up Automatic transfers
Set up automatic transfers from your paycheck to savings. In this way, a portion of your regular income is consistently diverted to your retirement savings. Doesn’t have to be a big percentage of your paycheck. You’ll be shocked how small amounts deducted regularly quickly grow bigger. The key is to schedule regular contributions.
Employer Retirement plan
Does your employer offer a retirement plan, a 401(k) or 403(b)? You should take advantage and make routine contributions. This is especially important if your employer offers a matching participation. That’s like getting free money. Plus, there’re great tax advantages to these plans.
IRA
Employer sponsored retirement plans are nice but check out other options, like IRA’s. With a Roth IRA you contribute after-tax dollars, your money grows tax-free, and you can generally make tax- and penalty-free withdrawals after age 59½. With a traditional IRA, you contribute pre- or after-tax dollars, your money grows tax-deferred, and withdrawals are taxed as current income after age 59½. You may qualify for an IRA even with an employer sponsored plan.
Side Hustle
How about a side hustle? You can generate extra income with a side gig or freelancing opportunity. You take a part-time second job or you set up a passive income stream using your hobbies and talents. Were you once a musician? Consider joining a band. Do you love to write? Self-publish books. Are you a photographer? Sell your photos online. There are hundreds of opportunities to generate income to boost your retirement savings.
One thing’s for sure: Saving for retirement is a long-term commitment. It requires planning and dedication to build your savings accounts without sacrificing your lifestyle. Every small step you take today will grow to have a big impact. Plan carefully, be consistent and watch your future security unfold!
