The Retirement COLLAB Blog

This post was last updated on January 20, 2021, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Full Disclosure: This article is not a get-rich-quick scheme of how to become a millionaire in your 40's. Rather, it's a list of sound principles and practices that you can put into place to become a millionaire at some point in your life even if not in your 40's. Becoming a millionaire and/or achieving financial independence takes discipline, hard work, and savings. I can assure you it WILL NOT happen overnight.

If you’re like most Americans, you have a substantial amount of debt. Unfortunately, accruing debt is all too easy in modern society, which means that it’s incredibly difficult for some people to get on top of their money and take back control. 

However, just because it’s challenging doesn’t mean it’s impossible. As long as you’re willing to fight the good fight and make some significant changes to your lifestyle, you can learn how to dominate debt. 

When you buy a house, the resulting mortgage can feel like a weight on you - mentally and financially. If you end up with a surplus of cash, you may wonder if it’s better to pay off your mortgage or invest the money in the stock market. 

This is a common question in personal finance circles. Some people believe paying off your mortgage is a good investment, while others think putting your money in the market is a better option. 

This post was last updated on January 20, 2021, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Full Disclosure: This article is not a get-rich-quick scheme of how to become a millionaire in no time. Rather, it's a list of sound principles and practices that you can put into place to become a millionaire at some point in your life. Becoming a millionaire and/or achieving financial independence takes discipline, hard work, and savings. I can assure you it WILL NOT happen overnight.

This post was last updated on July 30, 2022, to reflect all updated information and best serve your needs.

Have you ever considered how much do you really need to retire? While this is a simple question, the answer is anything but clear cut. There are many factors that go into your retirement target number.

One of the most common risk management tools is insurance. Most people have insurance for their homes, their cars and their health. This limits their financial liability in case disaster strikes and costs start piling up.

If you own a pet, you also have the option to purchase insurance to cover your pet. According to the North American Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA), there are 179 million pets in North America; however, less than 1 percent are covered by pet insurance.

Have you ever thought about what financial freedom looks like? Or, has it never even crossed your mind simply because you’re just trying to make it to the next day. 

Regardless of whether you’ve actually thought about it or not, it’s something most people can’t even fathom but would love to achieve. However, the main issue lies in how to actually get there.

One of the best ways to get ahead financially is by making a budget and sticking to it. However, many people shy away from budgets because they think of them as too restrictive. A budget shouldn’t limit you; it should give you more freedom.

Think of a budget as a spending plan, a way to tell your money where to go rather than the other way around. It is a critical financial tool that will help you build wealth and set yourself up for financial success.

For some people, managing money can be challenging. It can seem like a struggle to maintain your finances when life happens, whether it’s an unexpected repair or a debt that never seems to go away.

However, keeping your money under control is imperative, especially as you get older. Even if retirement is still a couple of decades away, it’s never too soon to take charge and make adjustments to ensure that you’re financially stable now and in the future.

If the thought of negotiating your salary makes you break out in a sweat, you’re not alone. According to a survey by compensation software company PayScale, only 43 percent of respondents asked for a raise in their current field.

Salary negotiations can be scary. Even the most seasoned professional can blanch at the idea of marching in and demanding more money from their boss. However, there will come a time when your current compensation does not reflect the value of your work.