RETIRING DURING A RECESSION
3 GUI DEL INES TO ENSURE A STABLE FUTURE
THE DARK S IDE OF THE DOG DAYS OF SUMMER
A few months ago, several news sources confirmed what savvy American businesspeople already suspected: The United States is currently in a recession and has been since February 2020. While a recession isn’t good for anyone, it’s especially concerning for those nearing retirement age. Those who were planning on retiring this year might be having second thoughts — for good reason. Rest assured, however, that if you’ve had fears about retiring this year, you can still go ahead with your plans as long as you keep a few things in mind. DON’T LET EMOTIONAL ATTACHMENT GUIDE YOUR DECISIONS. Saving for retirement is almost inherently tied with joyful thoughts of financial stability in your golden years. So, when something like a recession threatens that security, it’s easy to react irrationally. Before deciding what to do with your retirement funds, make sure your decisions are rooted in logic, not fear or anxiety. If you don’t know where to start, contact a financial advisor for guidance. DON’T WORRY ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN’T CONTROL. Even for financial experts, the markets are notoriously hard to predict. Rather than expend energy wishing you could sway the market, focus on making changes where you have control. You can control where your assets are invested, when you claim Social Security, and how you spend your money, among other things. Think about how you can change these factors in your favor and don’t worry about the rest. STRESS-TEST YOUR FINANCES. While conducting a stress test might sound a little abstract, it’s something that many financial advisors can help you do with your retirement accounts. Stress- testing your finances can help you determine if now is the right time to retire or if it’s better to wait just a little bit longer. Even if things look bad right now, that could change in a year or two. As the market recovers, so do your chances of a peaceful retirement.
3 WAYS TO KEEP YOUR FAMI LY SAFE FROM DOG B I TES
Everywhere we look right now, there’s an owner walking with a dog who’s splashing in a sprinkler or running through a park. It’s no wonder they call this time of year the dog days of summer! As tempting as it is to pet all of those pooches, it’s best to be cautious. That’s because the dog days of summer have a dark side: dog bites. If you haven’t suffered from a dog bite, you’re one of the lucky ones. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1 in every 69 Americans suffers a dog bite in their lifetime. That adds up to a mind- blowing 4.7 million people per year. Many dog bites are minor, but sometimes they can be extremely serious. During the course of our work, we’ve seen dog bites that were disfiguring and even fatal. You might remember the story that made national news last August about a pit bull attacking a 7-year-old girl in Connecticut. The girl’s injuries were so awful and scarring that she was left needing plastic surgery. We’re not telling you this to be scared of dogs. There are a lot of dog lovers on our team here, and Kevin even has two sweet pups at home. But we would hate to see you in our office because of a dog bite that could have been prevented. To keep yourself and your family safe, take these precautions. • Teach your children to ask the owner’s permission before they approach a strange dog. Some dogs don’t have the right temperament to interact with kids. • Avoid reaching out to pet dogs over fences or through car windows. The dog could be startled and react defensively. • When a dog approaches, stay still and avoid eye contact. This is the best way to put an unknown dog at ease. Don’t turn your back, either — let the dog walk away. If a dog does bite you or a family member, get medical attention right away. Then, once you’ve begun healing, call our office. We can assess your case and, if necessary, help you win compensation for your injuries.
2 | (804) 823-2011
Made with FlippingBook Proposal Creator