Retirement planning is a challenging endeavor. With so much uncertainty in life, it pays to give enough thought to retirement plans. Many events take place which we do not expect. Such events can unfold new opportunities and challenges. The right plan and execution can allow one to leverage the resources one has to improve their future. But what life changes affect retirement planning?Continue reading →
Calvin Ebun-Amu is passionate about finance and technology. While studying his bachelor’s degree, he found himself using his spare time to research and write about finance. Calvin is particularly fascinated by economics and risk management. When he’s not writing, he’s reading a book or article on risk and uncertainty by his favourite non-fiction author, Nassim Nicholas Taleb. Calvin has a bachelors degree in law and a post-graduate diploma in business.
The older we get the less “stuff” we get for Christmas. As kids, our Christmases were often filled with various toys and gadgets. However, once you reach your 20’s you tend to want bigger items such as iPads, new cell phones, and money.
I gifted unto my sister this year what I consider to be the perfect financial gift. It was a check worth $200. Now, most of the time when we get a check for Christmas or our birthday we think of what we could possibly buy with that money. This check was different. I wrote out the check, but I did not date or sign the check. The check is currently worthless. Under the “For” spot on the bottom left part of the check I wrote: “Roth IRA”. The check was given unto my sister with the stipulation that it be used as funds to go towards her opening a Roth IRA. When she decides to gather up another $800, she will have $1,000 to put towards a low-cost index fund through Vanguard, and I will sign and date the check. This Roth IRA money will aid in her retirement goals many years down the road.
I would like to think that this gift can one day make her a MILLIONAIRE, and it can. If she were to open an account with the $1,000 needed and put in the maximum contribution allowed to a Roth IRA, given an 8% annual return on her investment. She would have an account balance of well over $1 million dollars by the time she is just 60!!!
Maybe you received some money for Christmas or recent birthday. My challenge to you is instead on spending it frivolously on the latest iPad or TV, open yourself a Roth IRA. Vanguard offers low-cost mutual funds that can be started with as little as $1,000. Be diligent and stay the course, you could turn some Christmas cash into a million dollars!
With the end of the 2014 calendar year upon us, it is time for many of us to make our New Year’s Resolutions. A New Year’s Resolution for one’s financial life is a critical one to consider.
As the new year draws close, I have already begun preparing my 2015 Financial Spreadsheet, aka budget. You can get an example budget, one similar to what I use on one of my previous posts (Budget Spreadsheet for Starters). Two critical things I considered when making my financial goals for the 2015 year were as follows:
1) Pay off the remainder of my student loans.
2) Continue to contribute to a Roth IRA on a monthly basis reaching the max $5,500 contribution level for the year.
I view these two goals as a MUST for the 2015 year. Setting a clear picture of how I can tackle both of these from financial achievements while also enjoying travel, entertainment among other things is the foundation of my budget.
So as 2015 draws near, create a budget and PAY YOURSELF FIRST (To me this means paying down debt and saving for the future). Nobody can be entirely certain of what the stock market does in the upcoming year, but you and only you can control the budgeting aspects of your finances.
