Do you really want to work until you're 70? Of course not.
I would imagine that's true for a lot of us out there. However, we're basically saying to ourselves we're never going to retire based on the actions we take with our money.
There are people out there who still don't even put money aside for retirement -- even when their company matches up to a certain percentage.
That's free money being squandered each pay period.
I say it's time to put a stop to this money madness once and for all.
Fortunately, the fine people at Kiplinger's agree with me here.
In their February issue, Kiplinger's discusses some interesting investment options for anywhere from $1,000 to $100,000, the more common money conflicts in marriages today, and why millennials should waste no time in starting to invest.
Kiplinger's Personal Finance Senior Editor Eileen Ambrose and Ryan Ermey, a staff writer with Kiplinger's, were kind enough to share some insights into these articles. Plus, I was privy to some interesting investment ideas that didn't make the cut for the February issue. I think you will be intrigued by what they have to say and will definitely learn a thing or two in the process.
Money is a conversation we should all be having.
To this day, I still can't believe that money is such a taboo topic in today's world. Granted, I suppose that comes with the fact that I've been immersed in the personal finance world for about 10 years or so.
Then, why do we cringe when people start talking finances?
"We don't grow up talking about money," Ambrose explained. "Americans think it's rude. It's a very emotional issue for people because it means having control and power."
I'd say we're doing ourselves a great disservice by not making it a priority.
We may have a lot less issues with consumer debt if we spoke as freely about our finances as who won whatever sporting event was held the night before.
Ambrose would agree with me. "While people share many things on social media, money is something people still don’t discuss," she explained.
Have a discussion about finances before getting married.
This lack of communication with regards to money spills over into our marriages.
After all, if the culture doesn't talk about it, how likely are we to talk about it to our potential spouse? If it's so taboo, chances are it's not something we're bringing up on the first date let alone after we're engaged.
Failing to have that discussion, however, is a real hindrance to any marriage.
After all, as this CNBC article points out, money is often the leading cause of stress in any relationship.
Unfortunately, that doesn't mean people are having the money talk before tying the knot.
"When you're falling in love, money is not usually brought up," Ambrose said. "People assume they're on the same page. It's when they're handling the finances together that they then discover they're not."
In the money conflicts in marriage article, Ambrose talks about a couple who neglected to have a real talk about finances before their wedding in 2004.
She explains that "they didn’t talk numbers before the wedding, and when they added it all up later, the Chicago newlyweds had a shock: Together they owed $60,000, most of it in the form of student loans."
For my wife and I, it was when we made the financial chats a priority that we did the best with our money and followed our budget. When we failed to have those regular discussions, we easily got into debt and spent money without thinking. Keeping the lines of communication open before and after your wedding day is the key.
Time is your most precious asset.
This one is important for those reading this who are members of the millennial generation.
Basically, when it comes to investing, time is one of the most crucial factors.
The younger you are, the more you have compounding interest working in your favor.
So, it's to your benefit to start early.
"Every second you wait to take the leap, you’re giving up one of your greatest assets as an investor: time," says Ermey in his piece on millennial investing.
Ermey acknowledged that many of the millennials he speaks with are hesitant to get into the market.
"A lot of us came of age and started our professional lives during the financial crisis," he said.
"So, it's front and center in our minds when it comes to investing their money."
Fortunately, Ermey has a simple remedy for those who may be still a little apprehensive about investing.
"Take advantage of the any employer match," he explains.
"Make sure you're getting the free money they're offering you. For those who are scared about investing in the wrong thing ... it's the greatest thing in the world to be invested in funds through the workplace."
