If you’re worried about your finances and future retirement, you aren’t alone. Americans’ fears regarding their lifestyle, medical bills, and retirement continue to increase each year. More than 50% of Americans worry about not being able to maintain the standard of living they enjoy, and 64% are worried about not having enough money for retirement.
Why the steady increase in anxiety and stress? There’s a good chance that much of it is because nearly half of Americans don’t know where to turn for financial advice and support, and 62% don’t work with a financial advisor of any kind.
Don’t Be a Statistic
The good news is that you can change how you feel about your finances and how you enjoy your life without winning the lottery. Studies show that people who work with an advisor are more likely to feel less stressed, have increased confidence in their savings, be more knowledgeable about their retirement opportunities, as well as more conscious of their spending habits.
But perhaps one of the best things about working with an advisor is that there’s never a wrong time to start. Just as it’s never too late or too early to start saving for retirement, it’s never too late to strategize for your future and make the financial changes necessary to reach your goals.
When Should You See an Advisor?
Even if you feel confident in your finances and future retirement, you may not realize you’re making common mistakes or missing out on investment opportunities that could significantly increase your savings.
If you’ve experienced one of the following events in the last year, an advisor can help:
- You had a baby
- You changed jobs
- You lost a job
- Your salary changed
- You started a business
- You bought a house
- You got married
- You got divorced
- Your child graduated high school
- You or a loved one experienced a severe disability or illness
- Your spouse passed away
Additionally, an advisor can help if you’ve faced one of these questions in the last year:
- Is my spending in line with my income?
- Can I afford a second home?
- Should I save for retirement or my child’s college tuition?
- How much do I need to retire?
- Is life insurance appropriate for my situation?
- How much should I contribute to my 401(k)?
- How should I invest my savings?
- Am I saving enough?
- When can I retire?
- What will my Social Security benefits look like?
- Will Medicare provide enough coverage for my needs?
- How can I help my kids make wise financial decisions?
- How do I gracefully exit my business?
Finding the Right Advisor For You
So why do a majority of people go it alone on their financial journey? For many, it can be intimidating to share the personal details of your finances with a stranger, especially if you feel you’ve waited too long to seek financial advice.
We’re here to tell you that we understand, and that you’re not alone. Life can quickly pass us by, and before we know it, we’re ten years from retirement. But getting started late is better than not starting at all. We like to tell our clients that we’ll never sugarcoat or lie, but we’ll always be judgment-free. We aim to make the process as pain-free as possible, taking time for us to get to know each other personally before looking at a single account statement.
How pain-free can it be? Let us prove it. If you or someone you know has yet to meet with an advisor about their retirement, shoot us an email or give us a call for your free 10-step retirement planning checklist and to schedule a complimentary, commitment-free introductory meeting. We look forward to hearing from you. Contact me by calling (949) 631-3840 or emailing jpeters@cfiemail.com.
About Jim Peters
Jim Peters is an independent financial advisor and the founder of Grace Wealth Management Group, Inc., a full-service financial firm committed to helping people pursue their financial goals. With more than 24 years of experience in the industry, Jim combines his extensive knowledge with his genuine interest in helping people pursue financial independence. Beyond his experience, he is certified as both a Chartered Life Underwriter® (CLU®) and Chartered Financial Consultant® (ChFC®), meaning he has advanced training and knowledge in financial planning and insurance. Based in Irvine, California, Jim specializes in working with individuals, families, and businesses throughout Orange County. To learn more, connect with Jim on LinkedIn or visit www.financialadvisorirvine.com.