Beware These Retirement Spending Mistakes
Common Financial Pitfalls
The bulk of retirement planning is spent discussing how you will save money in the years leading up to the end of your career, but that’s only half of the picture. Once you enter retirement, your focus shifts to the smartest way to divest your money for both your own enjoyment and your continued financial security. There are countless ways to wisely spend your nest egg, such as taking trips, providing for the education of your grandchildren, and more. However, this article isn’t about good ideas. Instead, let’s talk about some of the worst ways to spend your retirement funds. Timeshares The appeal of a timeshare seems obvious. It’s a space of your own for a few weeks of the year, and you get to enjoy a nice
change of pace from your regular environment. The problem is that these properties are full of hidden costs and have been outpaced by other vacationing options. In a world where you can book an Airbnb with just a few clicks, timeshares are poised to become a relic of a past age. Online Scams Hackers and cyberscammers love to prey on the elderly. As gross as it may sound, they know that older generations tend to be less tech savvy than their younger counterparts. You should be wary of online offers that look too good to be true. If you have even the slightest doubt, have a loved one take a look at the offer to ensure you’re not being scammed. Never provide your private financial data to a source you don’t absolutely trust. Tchotchkes Many of us have walked into the house of an older relative to find a room full of American Girl dolls or a display case of Candlewick glassware. Collecting can be a rewarding hobby when done in moderation, but amassing junk simply for its own sake is a waste of money and space. Make sure you’re acquiring objects because you truly want to treasure them. Rushed Relocations In general, real estate-based purchases can be extremely beneficial for retirees. The exception to this rule is a spur-of- the-moment relocation in order to be closer to your family or a retirement community. Because real estate transactions are so expensive, it’s best to approach them with extreme care and due diligence.
What Is That Thing?!
MY LATEST AUTOMOBILE PURCHASE
I couldn’t help myself — I did it again. For those of you who don’t know, I like to buy old cars, mostly old muscle cars from the 1960s and 1970s. I think it might be out of some desire to relive my late teenage years (I owned 17 different cars and trucks by age 19). Whatever the case, I think they are fun to look at and definitely fun to drive. Recently I got the urge to acquire another car again, but this time I was on the hunt for something different. I wanted a car that would be fun to drive during the summer and one my grandkids would get a kick out of. Of course, entertaining my grandkids might just be an excuse to justify this latest purchase! I went on Craigslist to see if anything for sale there would tickle my fancy. I knew from the start I didn’t want something that was going to be a project to get up and running. I also knew I didn’t want a Camaro, Corvette, or anything as common as that, even though they are neat cars. I visit a lot of convenience stores in many states on business, so I had a wide search area. Lo and behold, I found the car I was looking for in Missouri. As soon as I saw the ad, I knew I had to own the “Volkswagen Thing.”
For those of you who may not know what this Thing is, it is a yellow Volkswagen Type 181. Originally developed for the West German Army, this two-wheel drive, four-door convertible was manufactured by Volkswagen in Mexico and sold in the U.S. from 1973 to 1974. Google describes it as a slow, unattractive, and dangerous vehicle — but an absolute hoot to drive! The four-door convertibles are very utilitarian, and they ride rough like a log wagon. So, if you see a bright yellow Volkswagen Thing on the road this summer, be sure to wave and honk, because it may be me behind the wheel!
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