https://proutfinancialdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Estate-Planning-with-Attorney-Tim-White.mp3Podcast: DownloadDennis interviews local Attorney Timothy White from Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge and together they discusses the importance of […]
https://proutfinancialdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/The-Roth-Option.mp3Podcast: DownloadWell, Ed Slott has done it again! This month’s newsletter is too good not to share. We will be
https://proutfinancialdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Last-Minute-Tax-Tips.mp3Podcast: DownloadIf you waited to do your taxes, be depressed no more! The odds might be in your favor. This
https://proutfinancialdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Are-you-Stuck.mp3Podcast: DownloadThere’s this really handy tool on the Internet called “Google.” The first time I (Shea) learned of this was
https://proutfinancialdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/HSAs-Make-the-News-Again.mp3Podcast: DownloadIn recent news, the conversations have been changing about Health Savings Accounts. Contributions are deductible and distributions are tax-free.
https://proutfinancialdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Retirement-Outliers.mp3Podcast: DownloadThe definition of an “Outlier” is: “A person or thing differing from all other members of a particular group
https://proutfinancialdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Can-You-Retire-Early.mp3Podcast: DownloadWhat amazes us week in and week out is how proactive our clients have been in their retirement saving
https://proutfinancialdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Surprises-in-Retirement.mp3Podcast: DownloadThe Wall Street Journal just published a great article, “The Biggest Surprises in Retirement,” that resonated so deeply with
https://proutfinancialdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Its-Opposite-Day.mp3Podcast: DownloadJoin Dennis Prout and Shea Petaja as they discuss another one of Ed Slott’s Articles, 10 Things Every Advisor
https://proutfinancialdesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Eeny-Meeny-Miny-Moe.mp3Podcast: DownloadKiplinger keeps knocking it out of the park with its articles on preparing you for tax season. As you
Dennis J. Prout, CFP®
They told you that time would go fast and that it would gain speed with age. Here you are, so many years later realizing that this is true.
St. Augustine said, "The future is the logical conclusion of decisions made in the present day." He couldn't have been more right. In hindsight, you would have saved a little more, worried a little less and taken more time planning for this moment - your retirement —or, as they say, your "golden years."
There are two things weighing heavily on your mind:
The first: Did you save enough during your working years? Not just save, but did you plan appropriately?
The second: Will you have enough to live on for the next 20 to 30 years? Can you maintain your financial independence?
Speaking of independence…. you start to think of your children. They are grown and have their own families and responsibilities. You love them but you don't want to be dependent on them. You'd like to leave assets to them if you can, but you'd rather see those go to your grandchildren. Will they appreciate it?
Your mind wanders to the million little decisions made along the way. There are so many details to consider when you assess a lifetime of discipline and hard work. Oddly enough, you realize that retirement planning is the only plan where you start from an unknown end date and work backward - to now. Future you, I suggest you use hindsight as foresight. Remove the mystery and replace it with a plan. After all, who wants to spend their retirement catching up? Unless, of course, it's with old friends, family and those little ones who have your heart.
Sincerely,
1040 E. Front Street & Traverse City, MI 49686 www.proutfinancialdesign.com
(p) 231.947.3992 (f) 231.947.3995 (tollfree) 800.968.2588
Advisory Services offered through Capital Asset Advisory Services, LLC, a Registered Investment Advisor.