The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a card that goes back a long way for me. In fact, it was one of the first premium credit cards I ever got – i.e. one that I paid an annual fee to have. I first got this card way back in 2017 and the card has come in and out of my wallet over the years depending on my needs.

However, how often I’m able to earn a signup bonus on the Chase Sapphire Preferred is another matter. Years ago, Chase limited signup bonuses on the Chase Sapphire Preferred to once every 24 months. Then, they increased the time you have to wait between bonuses, making it so that you had to wait 48 months between bonuses (or in other words, going from 2 years to 4 years).

Four years is a long time to wait between bonuses. For myself, I first earned a signup bonus on my Chase Sapphire Preferred back in 2017, then again in 2021. I’ll have to wait until 2025 to be eligible for the bonus again.

I just noticed, however, that my wife is eligible to earn the signup bonus again on her Chase Sapphire Preferred since she last got the card back in 2020. And the timing for this is perfect too since there’s a pretty good signup offer right now.

A Brief Primer On The Chase Sapphire Preferred

Chase has a rule called the 5/24 Rule, which is probably the most important rule to know when it comes to credit card signup bonuses. The general rule says that you can’t open a new Chase credit card if you’ve opened five (5) or more credit cards within the past 24 months. This is not limited to just Chase credit cards, but rather 5 or more credit cards from any bank (such as American Express, Citi, etc).

Because the 5/24 Rule limits the number of Chase cards you can get, it makes sense to prioritize Chase cards whenever you’re under the limit. That’s because if you’re over 5/24, you can still get cards from other banks, but you won’t be able to get cards from Chase. For some people, the rule won’t mean much, but if you do happen to be someone who opens a lot of new cards over a 24-month period, the Chase 5/24 Rule is going to impact you.

That being said, for many people, the Chase Sapphire Preferred will be the starting point in the world of Chase credit cards. The card earns Ultimate Rewards Points and gives you access to travel partners and the Chase Travel Portal. In addition, it has an annual fee that most people can handle, at just $95 per year. And when you’re done with the card, it’s easy to downgrade it to a no-fee card so you can avoid paying the annual fee if you don’t need it.

Why I Got The Chase Sapphire Preferred Again

So, after four years, it was finally time for my wife to apply for the Chase Sapphire Preferred again. At the time we’re applying for this card, Chase is offering a signup bonus of 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards, as well as a $300 travel credit.

The 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards points are worth a minimum of $600 if used for cashback, and worth $750 if used in the Chase Sapphire Preferred travel portal (points used in the travel portal via the Chase Sapphire Preferred are worth 1.25 cents per point). 

Since I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve, my points can go even further since points used in the travel portal via the Chase Sapphire Reserve are worth 1.5 cents per point and my wife can transfer the points she earns to my Chase account. That means, if used for travel, those 60,000 points are worth a minimum of $900. And of course, if we transfer those points to airline partners or Hyatt, those points could be worth much more.

The $300 in travel credit is also a good deal. The nice thing about Chase is that they don’t make their travel credits hard to use, as pretty much anything that codes as travel will count towards this credit. This includes things like airfare, hotel stays, train tickets, and even bus and other mass transit purchases. The travel credit is also applied automatically when you use the card on things that code as travel. Since I always spend at least $300 in a year on travel purchases, I’ll have no problem getting the full $300 without having to make any changes to my spending patterns.

Because of how easy the travel credit is to use, I value the travel credit at the full $300. So, right there, after the $95 annual fee, I automatically come out ahead by $205. Combine that with the signup bonus of 60,000 Chase Ultimate Rewards Points and, for me, we’re looking at a minimum of $1,105 worth of value for this one card in the first year.

What It’s Like Applying For The Chase Sapphire Preferred

Applying for the Chase Sapphire Preferred is a simple enough process. Since this is a personal card, it doesn’t require anything special other than the normal information you’d supply when applying for a new credit card. The majority of the time, me and my wife get instantly approved when applying for new personal cards, but for some reason, Chase didn’t approve my wife’s application immediately this time around.

I checked on the status of my application using the automated phone system (you can find the phone number for the automated application status checker on their website here). For a few days, it said my wife’s credit application was received and that they would let us know within 2 weeks, but after a few days, it said it was approved without any action needed on my part.

In my experience, if you have a good credit score and don’t have too much open credit with Chase, you should get approved for most personal cards. In some instances, you may have to move some of your credit limits around between your cards, as Chase doesn’t like to extend too much credit to people. This is what I thought we might have to do because my wife has a lot of credit open with Chase, but we ended up not having to do that.

What Do I Do With The Chase Sapphire Preferred After I Earn The Signup Bonus?

The Chase Sapphire Preferred comes with a $95 annual fee. This fee can be worth paying because the card gives you access to the Chase travel portal and lets you transfer your Ultimate Reward Points to travel partners.

That being said, I generally don’t keep the Chase Sapphire Preferred open after one year. Instead, what I prefer to do is upgrade the card to a Chase Sapphire Reserve. This might seem counter-intuitive since the Chase Sapphire Reserve comes with a $550 annual fee. However, the Chase Sapphire Reserve also comes with a $300 travel credit, which is possible to use twice while paying one annual fee. To do this, I get the card, pay the annual fee for the first year, and use the $300 of travel credit.

For year 2, I get charged the annual fee again, and my travel credit resets. I then use the travel credit and downgrade the card back to a no-fee card like the Chase Freedom or Chase Freedom Unlimited. If I downgrade the card within 60 days, I get a full refund of the annual fee, allowing me to get $600 worth of travel credits while paying $550 of annual fees (or a net gain of $50).

You don’t need to do this upgrade-downgrade strategy, but it’s what I usually do to maximize my credits.

Final Thoughts

The Chase Sapphire Preferred is a card that I always open every four years for the signup bonus. With such a long wait time between bonuses, it’s worth getting this card again as soon as you’re eligible for the bonus.

Chase also has a rule called the One Sapphire Rule, which only allows you to have either the Chase Sapphire Preferred or the Chase Sapphire Reserve open at one time. In the past, it was possible to get both cards and earn the bonus on both of them via a strategy called the “Modified Double Dip,” but Chase closed this loophole, so now if you’re getting a bonus from one of the Sapphire branded cards, you’ll need to choose.

For me, when I’m eligible for the bonus, I pick whichever card is offering the better bonus at the time. In this most recent case, the Chase Sapphire Preferred had the better bonus, so that’s what we went with.

If you already have a Chase Sapphire branded card and are eligible for the bonus, you’ll need to downgrade the card to either the Chase Freedom or Chase Freedom Unlimited. You’ll then be able to open a new Chase Sapphire branded card and earn the bonus again.

All in all, at the time I’m writing this (October 2024), the Chase Sapphire Preferred is offering a good bonus, so if you’re eligible for the bonus and are under 5/24, you should grab it while you can. At a minimum, the bonus would be worth $805 and can be worth $1,105 or even more than that depending on how you use the points. That’s a clear win for anyone.

Related

<!–

–>

Becoming a virtual assistant is one of the best ways to start working online, even if you’ve got no experience. With just a laptop and some organizational skills, you can build a career that offers flexibility and the chance to earn a steady income.

But how exactly do you break into this field – especially when you’re starting from scratch?

Let’s go over the steps you can take to become a virtual assistant with no experience and start landing clients sooner than you think.

What is a virtual assistant?

A virtual assistant is someone who provides administrative services to clients, which are often small businesses, in a remote setting.

This means that they’re a win-win for everyone: for you, as the potential VA, it’s the perfect work from home job as all you really need to do this is an internet connection (and, ideally, a few other things that we’ll get to shortly).

And for businesses, it’s a great way for them to be able to hire someone to help them with aspects of their work that they would otherwise have to get a full-time staff member to do in an on-site office. With more and more businesses shifting online rather than paying for office space, hiring a VA can solve a lot of problems at once.

What exactly does a virtual assistant do?

A virtual assistant typically provides administrative services, such as managing email accounts, responding to customer queries, making travel arrangements and doing data entry. However, they can also specialize in building a client’s online presence, such as by creating and updating their website’s content and managing social media profiles.

The range of services that a VA can offer can really vary depending on both what your clients need and what services you wish to specialize in.

For example, some VAs focus exclusively on social media management, like creating Pinterest pins or Instagram posts, including through researching things like which hashtags to use and tracking engagement.

Others, however, keep things more general, to essentially act as a “one stop shop” for their clients.

Both of these can have their pros and cons, including based on how much you can earn, which we’ll go into a bit further below. Overall, however, it should be pretty clear that you can definitely find services to offer that both interest you and are in hot demand by potential clients.

How to become a virtual assistant

The process of how to become a virtual assistant isn’t hard at all, although there are a few steps you should take to make sure that everything is in place before you start taking on clients.

But as you’ll see, what’s great about starting a virtual assistant business is:

• It’s very quick. In just a few steps, you’ll be able to have your VA business up and running.
• It’s incredibly affordable. While starting any business has its costs, this one is much cheaper than others, especially as you probably already have a computer and internet connection.
• You don’t need any formal qualifications. While there are some great virtual assistant training courses out there, having an actual degree really isn’t needed.
• It’s flexible. Most people choose to work from home due to the flexibility and, as a VA, you can choose to work as much or as little as you want.
• There’s a huge demand for VA services. Given the nature of this role, your clients can literally be based anywhere in the world, so there’s never going to be a shortage of work.

1. Figure out which services you want to offer

Your first step is going to be having at least an approximate idea of which services you want to offer. As shown in the massive list of VA services I mentioned before, there are literally hundreds of services you can provide when working in this kind of role.

This means that it’s a good idea to know which ones you want to focus on.

Of course, you can always change this down the track, whether it’s expanding your offerings or refining them more to focus on a certain area. But having some understanding of this at these early stages will help you when building out the rest of your VA business in the next steps.

2. Build your online presence

Putting your best face forward is important in most jobs and the same is definitely true here. In particular, given that your work is being done entirely online, it’s important to have a strong online presence that shows exactly what you’re offering.

The first part of doing this will be launching your own website, which is incredibly easy to do. 

It’s also a good idea to lock in your social media handles. Here, it’s better to keep things simple – that is, rather than aiming to post on every social media platform ever invented, stick to where your clients are. This will usually mean Facebook and probably LinkedIn.

It’s also a good idea to create a Pinterest profile. With so many ways to make money on Pinterest these days, including as a Pinterest VA, showing your expertise on this platform is a good move.

3. Select your business structure

One of the main questions people have when asking how to start a virtual assistant business is how to set up the legal side of things, especially when taxes come into play. And the answer, unfortunately, is: it depends.

The best thing you can do here is to speak to a professional, whether that’s an accountant or a lawyer, as they’ll be able to provide advice based on your personal circumstances. This includes whether you should set this up as a sole proprietor, an LLC or one of the other company structures available where you are.

Yes, this will cost money for advisory fees, but it’s worth it in the long run to make sure everything is being set up correctly. It can also actually help to save you money overall, as there may be certain tax deductions you could be eligible for. This is why we’d always recommend getting professional advice at this point.

4. Set your fees

Setting your fees can actually be the hardest part. Are you charging too much and turning people away? But what if you charge too little and don’t get what you deserve?

This is another aspect where keeping it simple is usually the way to go so you can just get started. You can debate yourself for hours as to whether to charge an hourly rate (the most common one, at least at the start) or a set fee per service, not to mention just what that rate should be.

It’s for that reason you should set an initial fee and move on, with a good starting rate generally being around $20 to $25 per hour. And don’t worry, you can always increase it later once you start to get some clients and build your expertise.

5. Build your client list

It can be pretty daunting to find virtual assistant jobs for beginners when you first get started, but once you cross the hurdle of finding your first client, you’ll see that it will start to get much easier.

This list of virtual assistant websites will give you some options for where to market yourself. For example, in the case of major freelancing sites like Fiverr and FlexJobs, simply create a profile on each site for potential clients to find you.

These can be great for helping you to build your portfolio of work allowing you to use this to help secure more clients going forward.

Some other tips to keep in mind when looking for VA clients include:

• Figure out who your target clients are so you can start to figure out where to look for them
• Start to build a relationship with them. For example, if you’re targeting bloggers, contributing to Facebook groups where they also hang out can be great for showing them the value you could add to their business.
• Create your pitch. You’re going to have to do some cold pitching, at least at first, and while this can be effective in the end for getting clients, it can be uncomfortable for some people. This is why it’s important to craft an effective pitch.
• Keep in regular contact with your clients. Once you get a client, holding on to them is key. This is why staying in regular contact to know what they expect from you and how you can improve your services will be critical – even if it’s just through scheduling a call once a week.
• Propose a trial period. Offering your services for a reduced fee for a short period can help you and a client see if you’d be a good fit. It’s also a good strategy for attracting clients who may be unsure if they want to go ahead with you or not.

6. Network with other VAs

Getting to know other VAs is good from a professional standpoint, as you’ll be able to learn about what’s worked for them – and what hasn’t! It’s also a good way to find out about things like new technologies that can help you work or simply to trade stories.

However, it’s also a great idea from a personal point of view. Working from home can get lonely, as you won’t have the face-to-face interaction that comes from working somewhere on site.

This is why building a network of VA friends can really help you. Start by checking out any Facebook groups that serve this exact purpose, as there’s often a real sense of community there.

How do I become a virtual assistant with no experience?

It’s very simple to become a virtual assistant with no experience, as you’ll learn most of the skills you need on the job. This is why it’s so important to just get started as a VA. As outlined above, the steps you’ll need to follow are:

• Determine which services you’ll offer
• Create your online presence
• Choose your business structure
• Figure out the fees you’ll charge
• Reach out to clients
• Build your VA network

Of course, having some experience or virtual assistant training can definitely make sure you hit the ground running and will help you start earning more money quicker.

This is why I recommend the Fully Booked VA course, as it shows you exactly what you need to get started as a VA.

Specifically, you’ll be shown a step-by-step, systematic process with specific actions to take so you can start earning money ASAP.

How long does it take to become a virtual assistant?

You don’t need formal qualifications to become a virtual assistant, so the process of becoming a VA can take just a few weeks. This includes if you choose to complete a training course before starting, as the two can often be done in parallel.

That is, once you’ve gotten professional advice on your business structure, the other steps (such as starting your website) really won’t take long at all.

And while you may think that doing some training beforehand will delay how long it takes you to start earning money, the opposite is actually true. For instance, courses like Fully Booked VA are designed to walk you through the process of how to become a virtual assistant from the ground up. 

This means that the aim here is to do the coursework at the same time as you’re setting up your VA business. By doing it like that and having this guidance along the way, it could very well make the overall process faster for you.

You may also be interested in: 33 Side Hustle Quotes to Get Your Motivation Flowing

What skills do you need to become a virtual assistant?

When it comes to the question of what skills does a virtual assistant need, soft skills are often more important than others. That said, there are some basic technical skills that can help.

Broadly speaking, the most in-demand virtual assistant skills are:

• Time management – When you (ideally!) have multiple clients, all of whom have multiple tasks that must be done today, time management is going to be critical.
• Self-motivated – One of the benefits of being a VA is that you’re your own boss! However, it also means that the only one who fails if you don’t do the work is, well, you. This is why being self-motivated is a good skill to have as a VA to ensure you keep up with everything.
• Communication skills – Whether it’s communicating with your clients, your potential clients, your clients’ customers…or, well, anyone, keeping things clear and positive is important, especially to avoid any misunderstandings that can occur when you aren’t speaking face-to-face.
• Organized – Being organized is one of the main attributes that clients look for in their VAs – after all, you’re often being hired to do the organizing for them! This is why keeping on top of everything at all times will be very highly valued by clients.
• Basic computer abilities – You’ll need to have a solid understanding of how to use Word or similar applications, like Google Docs, as well as standard mail clients, like Gmail or Outlook, as a lot of your work will revolve around these. It can also help to know how to use other programs, depending on your tasks – for example, if you’re doing social media management, knowing how to use things like Canva can really help.
• Client-oriented – This may seem obvious, but your job ultimately is to make your clients’ lives easier, so it’s good to keep this in mind when you approach your VA tasks.
• Ability to take (and apply) feedback – Each client will inevitably have a different way of doing things or have different outcomes in mind. Keeping a clear, regular line of communication open with them will help you to understand what these are – but making sure you’re able to apply any feedback you then get is equally as important.

How much money can you make as a virtual assistant?

On average, a virtual assistant based in North America can make between $35 to $50 an hour, although some who provide more specialized services report earnings of up to $100 per hour.

This means that when it comes to how much a virtual assistant makes per year, a standard full time virtual assistant salary can easily be several thousand dollars each month.

And to see whether virtual assistants make good money from when they first become VAs, check out how much Gina Horkey (the creator of the Fully Booked VA course) earned when she first started as a VA:

Related: 7 People Who Make $10,000 a Month Just From Their Side Hustle

Where can I find virtual assistant jobs?

You can find virtual assistant jobs on any general site where people can find freelance work, like FlexJobs, Fiverr and Upwork. There are also a number of sites that are solely for people to find virtual assistant jobs, including Virtual Assistant Finder and Time Etc.

You can find a full list of virtual assistant websites here, which will give you a great starting point for where to find VA jobs.

However, it’s also worth mentioning that tracking down your own clients can also be a really lucrative way to work as a VA, especially as you’ll likely earn more with that kind of work. In fact, it’s when you start to build your own client list that you’ll see why becoming a VA is one of the highest paying online jobs.

This is why sites like Fiverr are good initially for things like building a portfolio, but they’re often better for doing one-off tasks rather than establishing a longer term client-VA relationship. It’s also because of this that a big part of finding work as a VA is going to be pitching clients.

Do virtual assistants work from home?

Virtual assistants work remotely from their clients and certainly can work from home. In fact, the majority of virtual assistants do work from home, although some work for virtual assistant agencies so may be located in an office that’s nevertheless separate from their clients’ offices.

For most people though, the ability to work from home is one of the main benefits of working as a VA. This is especially the case when you consider that all of the standard virtual assistant duties can be done from home, as long as you have a reliable internet connection.

(And if you’re ever feeling lonely or missing working in something resembling an office environment while in your stay at home job, you can always work from a coworking space in your city on any days that you feel like getting some face-to-face interaction!)

You may also be interested in: 21 Best Part-Time Jobs You Can Do With a Baby

How do I become a virtual assistant at home?

The process of becoming a virtual assistant at home is exactly the same as the steps we outlined above to become a VA – especially as most VAs work from home anyway!

These include:

• Decide which services you’ll offer
• Create your online presence
• Choose your business structure
• Figure out the fees you’ll charge
• Reach out to clients
• Build your VA network

You can read some success stories here of VAs who work from home – including just how much money they’re making from this.

Are virtual assistants in demand?

According to Freelancer.com, demand for virtual assistants increased by 95% over three years and, globally, there was a 156% increase in the number of virtual assistant jobs being posted over the previous ten years.

This makes it clear that virtual assistants are definitely in demand. Which, when you think about it, makes sense.

After all, as more and more businesses move to an online setting, they’re still going to need help with their various administrative and other tasks. But hiring someone to sit in an office and do this just doesn’t fit this business model anymore.

At the same time, employers know that the workforce is shifting more towards remote and freelance roles. In fact, Upwork found that 69% of people report being happier when freelancing compared to working at a traditional onsite job.

When you combine all of these points, it’s no surprise that virtual assistants are in demand, with that demand growing more and more every day.

Is being a virtual assistant hard?

Being a virtual assistant isn’t hard as long as you have the ability to remain organized to ensure your clients’ needs continue to be met and you can balance your competing priorities. It can also be difficult if you lack self motivation, given you will be working for yourself.

That is, like most jobs where you work from home, you often end up being your own boss – which is great! In fact, it’s one of the main reasons people pursue these types of jobs.

However, it also means that self motivation will be key to making sure you actually do the work that needs to be done. With no supervisor breathing down your neck, it’s going to be entirely on you to get the job done.

Similarly, some people can start to have difficulties once they take on multiple clients. This is why being clear about their (and your) expectations is important from the start, so that you know exactly how much time each client will likely need so that you’re not accidentally spreading yourself too thinly.

How many hours a week do virtual assistants work?

A minimum of at least five hours of work a week is a reasonable starting point for virtual assistants, although you’re also free to take on as many hours as you believe you can manage.

You can read about some specific case studies of the kinds of hours that some beginner VAs have here – as well as what they earn with those hours.

Clearly, the more hours you work – assuming you’re charging an hourly rate – the more you’ll earn, so it’s definitely in your best interest to increase this where possible.

At the same time, many people look for a part time online job so that they can reduce their hours while still earning decent money, which is more than possible to do when you become a virtual assistant. 

This is why you can essentially work as much or as little as you like as a VA. In fact, you could easily treat it as a weekend job if you need extra cash on the side of your main job.

It’s also why having a solid idea of your clients’ needs is important from day one. That way, you’ll know that you’re not biting off more than you can chew (or more than you want to chew, if you’d rather stick to working part time) when you take on a new client.

Who hires virtual assistants?

It is generally businesses that hire virtual assistants to support them in the administrative tasks they may need done in their day-to-day work or to scale up operations. This can include anything from sole proprietors operating as a small business to larger companies.

In fact, when it comes to who needs virtual assistants, the answer is basically any sort of business entity, especially given the breadth of tasks that VAs can work on.

For smaller businesses, they may not have any staff that actually work in an office or don’t have quite enough work just yet to bring someone on full time, so hiring a VA is a natural fit to that sort of mode of operation.

But the same can also be said for larger companies. Whether they’re looking to shift some of their workforce to a virtual setting, prefer to hire a VA rather than an “actual” staff member or have a short term need for someone to do this kind of work, companies of all sizes have a need to hire VAs, so your clients could literally be any such type.

I will say that it’s more common to be hired as a VA by small businesses, including people like bloggers or those running other online-only businesses. For example, those who run e-commerce shops often like to hire a VA to help them with all that’s involved in keeping their websites up to date. 

This means that while it’s not the absolute rule, expect most of your clients to be businesses around that end of the scale.

Is being a virtual assistant worth it?

Being a virtual assistant is definitely worth it if you’re looking for a flexible work from home job with the ability to easily earn a full time income. As long as you have the ability to stay organized, self-motivated and clearly communicate with your clients, becoming a virtual assistant is a great option to work remotely.

Like any job, it’s not always going to be wonderful. Especially at the start when you’re first hustling for clients, you may find yourself working more hours than you expected. It can also be frustrating to pitch clients and then get a rejection – or, worse, hear nothing at all.

You may also have to deal with picky clients or even clients who don’t know what they want and expect you to figure it out.

But that’s the name of the game in a lot of jobs and, with experience, you’ll quickly see how to navigate situations like those.

At the same time, you’ll also see just how flexible working as a VA is as well as the benefit of being able to choose which services to offer based on what interests you or what you’re good at. All this means that deciding to become a virtual assistant to earn money online is often a good idea for a lot of people.

Final thoughts on becoming a virtual assistant

As far as work from home jobs go, starting a virtual assistant business is definitely a good option for many people.

Given you can choose your hours based on the number of clients you opt to take on, it’s great for allowing you to work around your existing schedule. This is actually why it’s often mentioned as one of the most popular online jobs for stay-at-home moms – although can easily be a stay-at-home dad job too!

And the fact you can make a legit income doing this also makes this a solid choice when it comes to remote working opportunities.

While there are a few steps to get started, these aren’t particularly difficult and have the added benefit of being incredibly inexpensive. This means that as long as you take the time to go through the steps needed to become a virtual assistant, you’ll be well on your way to seeing success as a VA.

The post How to Become a Virtual Assistant (With No Experience) appeared first on LogicalDollar.

One of the best things you can do for your financial future is to start preparing for retirement as early as you can. Unfortunately, not very many Americans are getting ready for retirement. Indeed, according to a report from the Federal Reserve, 31 percent of Americans have no retirement savings at all.

Not only that, but less than half of Americans have even assessed their retirement needs. Are you one of those with no retirement savings and no idea of how much you need to retire? (Here are some suggestions that will help.)

This is a serious issue for many people right now, and it’s important that you prepare as early as you can – or you might be stuck without sufficient assets later on. Inflation, health care costs as you age and other issues can slow your finances down. Now is the time to prepare for retirement, or you could be in trouble later.

Figure Out What You Need

Too many Americans aren’t adequately preparing for retirement. In fact, an alarming number don’t even know how much they will need in retirement. As a result, too many people probably aren’t setting aside enough money for their retirement needs.

It’s tempting to think that the $200 you’re setting aside each month will be enough to fund your golden years, but the reality is that it probably isn’t going to cut it. You will likely need to set aside a lot more for retirement – unless you happen to be a teenager right now.

So how do you know how much you need?

First of all, you need to set time aside to figure it out. This calculation is different for everyone, depending on individual choices and lifestyle preferences. How much you need to retire will depend on what you want to do, as well as your current situation.

Think about how much you spend now, and whether or not you will spend the same amount in the future. You should also consider whether you will downsize, or if you will move to a different location. Think about how long you plan to work, or whether you plan to get other types of revenue during retirement. All of these factors are important details to know about when you calculate how much you will need during retirement.

And be realistic when you evaluate where you stand right now. You will need this information to be as accurate as possible if you want to create a strategy that allows you to set aside what you need for the future. That’s why a budget, even though it’s boring to maintain, is a great tool. It allows you to quickly see how much money you are spending and which spending categories your cash is going to so you can estimate much more easily what your retirement needs will be.

Start Saving

Don’t wait for another day and start putting money aside for retirement now if you haven’t already done so. Even if you haven’t performed a needs assessment, you need to start saving. Then, once you have gone through your retirement needs assessment, you can make adjustments (and chances are that you will need to make changes).

And consider the whole family in your plan. If you have a life partner, you should consider setting aside money for him or her as well. Figure out how much you need to set aside each month to reach your goals, and then work up to that level of contribution.

Remember to make good use of retirement accounts.
Open a tax-advantaged retirement account and start putting money into it. It’s even easier if you have an employer-sponsored plan, like a 401(k) or 403(b) at work. That way, you have a chance to have the contributions automatically taken care of.

These types of accounts are great, especially if you use some sort of automated type of investing. However, you still need to be careful. Once you set your account on automatic, it’s easy to forget to invest more later on. As you receive raises, or if your household income grows because of a partner’s new job or your new side business, it’s easy to forget to increase the amount that you are saving.

If you haven’t increased your retirement account contributions to keep pace with your income growth, you probably aren’t saving enough for retirement. You need to re-evaluate your savings each year. If you get a three percent raise, you should also make a three percent (or more) increase in the amount of money you set aside for retirement. At the very least, your retirement contribution growth should mirror your income growth.

Be Careful of Compound Growth

Compound interest is powerful, but it’s dangerous too because it’s not a miracle. You need to give interest something to work with. This means you need to keep adding capital. Compound interest works better over time, so if you start much younger, you can get away with setting aside a couple hundred dollars a month for retirement.

The truth for those who are well into their careers, though, is that it doesn’t work quite as nicely. You aren’t going to meet your goals if you set aside $200 a month. You probably need to set aside much more a month if you are getting a late start. The closer you are in retirement, the more you’ll need to “make retirement.”

Don’t expect your investments to “save” you. Plan on a conservative annualized return of between five and seven percent, rather than optimistic projects of between 10 and 12 percent. You’ll have a more realistic idea of what to do, and realize that you probably need to save more.

Once you face reality and get started with your investment plan, you will be more likely to accomplish your retirement savings goals.

And don’t be discouraged. Even if you can’t put in as much as you would like to right now, don’t be one of that 31 percent who doesn’t have anything set aside. Start today to save for retirement, and as your finances improve, you can boost your contributions. Over time, you will improve the size of your account, and you will be happier – and better prepared financially.

2 comment(s)

The post Are You Prepared for Retirement? first appeared on MoneyNing.

The interest rates noted in this post were updated on October 28, 2024, but may change in the future. Here is a fully updated list of all the highest interest rates on savings accounts in Canada currently available. As you’ll note, these are all online banks because none of the brick-and-mortar big banks in Canada […]

The post High-Interest Savings Accounts in Canada 2024 appeared first on Jessica Moorhouse.

Here’s a reminder to double-check your November budget for these potential expenses.

The post TURKEYS AND STUFFING! IT’S TIME TO SET YOUR NOVEMBER BUDGET appeared first on a life on a dime.

Teaching kids about money doesn’t have to be a dull chore; in fact, it can be a lot of fun!

I have an outstanding collection of resources on a variety of topics this month. We’ll explore financial planning concepts including Roth IRA conversions, building bond ladders, and performing 529 to Roth rollovers. A few articles explore the value of simplifying your finances including decluttering an overly complex portfolio, navigating gift tax, and the misnomer applied…

The post October 2024 Best of the Web appeared first on Can I Retire Yet?.

Welcome to another quarterly update on my 2024 goals and resolutions. Long-time readers will remember that for the past six years, I have set goals and resolutions at the beginning of the year and tracked …

Read more

Does the holiday season leave your wallet feeling lighter than Santa’s sleigh after gift delivery? You’re not alone! Learning how to start a Christmas fund is your ticket to a merrier, debt-free holiday season.

Whether you’re tired of January credit card blues or simply want to be more intentional with your holiday spending, this guide will show you exactly how to make your Christmas savings dreams come true.

Let’s get started.

Key Takeaways

• Start your Christmas fund early by setting up a dedicated savings account and automating monthly contributions
• Save up to $720/year by auditing and canceling unnecessary subscriptions with Rocket Money
• Earn cash back on your holiday shopping through Rakuten (plus get a $30 bonus when you spend $30!)
• Create a realistic holiday budget using YNAB’s four-rule method to track every dollar
• Break down your total holiday expenses into manageable monthly savings goals

Why You Need a Christmas Fund (And Why Starting Now is Critical)

Let’s face it: The holidays have a way of sneaking up on us faster than kids running downstairs on Christmas morning.

According to recent studies, the average American spends almost $1,000 on Christmas gifts alone – not including decorations, food, and entertainment. Without proper planning, these expenses can lead to serious financial stress or, worse, holiday debt that lingers well into the new year.

The impact of holiday spending goes beyond just the immediate financial strain. Many Americans report feeling anxious and overwhelmed during the holiday season, with financial stress being a primary contributor.

By starting a Christmas fund early, you’re not just saving money – you’re investing in your peace of mind and emotional well-being during what should be the most wonderful time of the year.

Step 1: Calculate Your Total Holiday Budget

Before diving into saving strategies, let’s determine how much you actually need to save. Here’s a comprehensive breakdown of typical holiday expenses to consider:

1. Gifts

   • Family members
   • Friends
   • Coworkers
   • Service providers (mail carrier, hairstylist, etc.)
   • Teachers and childcare providers
   • Neighbors and community members
   • Pet gifts (because furry family members deserve Christmas too!)

2. Decorations

   • Tree (real or artificial)
   • Ornaments and lights
   • Outdoor decorations
   • Wrapping paper and supplies
   • Indoor decor (throw pillows, blankets, centerpieces)
   • Special holiday linens and towels
   • Storage containers for decorations

3. Entertainment

   • Holiday parties (hosting and attending)
   • Special events and activities
   • Travel expenses (gas, flights, accommodations)
   • Food and beverages
   • Holiday movie nights and special events
   • Family activities (ice skating, light displays, etc.)
   • Holiday baking supplies

4. Additional Expenses

   • Holiday cards and postage
   • Charitable donations
   • Holiday outfits
   • Extra grocery expenses
   • Holiday family photos
   • Gift shipping costs
   • Holiday tipping for service providers

Pro Tip: Review last year’s credit card statements or bank transactions to get a realistic picture of your spending. Add 10% as a buffer for unexpected expenses or price increases.

Creating Your Holiday Expense Tracker

To make your budgeting more accurate, create a detailed tracker with these categories:

1. Essential Expenses

   • Must-give gifts
   • Traditional family activities
   • Required travel costs
   • Basic decorations

2. Nice-to-Have Expenses

   • Extra decorations
   • Additional gifts
   • Optional events
   • New holiday clothes

3. Luxury Items

   • Premium gifts
   • High-end decorations
   • Exclusive events
   • Special holiday experiences

Step 2: Set Up Your Christmas Fund with YNAB

You Need A Budget (YNAB) is the perfect tool to kickstart your Christmas fund journey. Here’s how to leverage YNAB’s powerful four-rule system for holiday savings:

Rule 1: Give Every Dollar a Job

Create a specific category for your Christmas fund and allocate a portion of each paycheck to it. YNAB makes this process seamless by allowing you to:

• Set up a dedicated Christmas savings category
• Create savings targets based on your total holiday budget
• Track progress toward your goal visually
• Set up multiple sub-categories for different holiday expenses
• Monitor spending patterns and adjust as needed

Rule 2: Embrace Your True Expenses

Break down your total holiday budget into monthly savings goals. If you need $1,200 for Christmas and start saving in January, that’s just $100 per month – much more manageable than scrambling for $1,200 in December!

YNAB helps you account for these expenses by:

• Creating monthly funding targets
• Setting up automatic category funding
• Providing visual progress indicators
• Sending helpful reminders about upcoming needs
• Offering flexibility to adjust as circumstances change

Rule 3: Roll with the Punches

YNAB’s flexible system allows you to adjust your savings strategy as needed. Found an amazing deal on a gift in July? You can move money from your Christmas fund without disrupting your overall budget.

The beauty of this rule lies in its adaptability:

• Reallocate funds between categories as needed
• Take advantage of early shopping opportunities
• Adjust for unexpected expenses or income
• Maintain progress toward your goal even when plans change
• Learn from spending patterns to improve future planning

Rule 4: Age Your Money

By starting your Christmas fund early, you’re essentially aging your money – using last month’s income for this month’s expenses. This creates a financial buffer that prevents holiday spending from impacting your regular monthly budget.

Benefits of aging your money include:

• Reduced financial stress
• Better cash flow management
• Improved spending decisions
• Greater financial security
• More flexibility in your budget

Step 3: Maximize Your Savings with Rocket Money

Before you can build your Christmas fund, you need to find extra money in your budget. Enter Rocket Money – your personal finance detective that hunts down unnecessary expenses. Here’s how to use it effectively:

1. Connect Your Accounts

   • Link your bank accounts and credit cards
   • Let Rocket Money scan for recurring charges
   • Get a complete picture of your subscription spending
   • Review automated payments and memberships
   • Identify forgotten subscriptions

2. Audit Your Subscriptions

   • Review all active subscriptions
   • Identify services you rarely use
   • Calculate potential savings from cancellations
   • Evaluate subscription overlap (like multiple streaming services)
   • Consider seasonal subscription needs

3. Cancel Unwanted Services

   • Use Rocket Money’s concierge service to cancel subscriptions
   • Redirect the saved money to your Christmas fund
   • Track your growing savings in real-time
   • Monitor for any unauthorized renewal charges
   • Keep documentation of all cancellations

Making the Most of Rocket Money

To maximize your savings potential:

• Set up bill monitoring alerts
• Use the spending insights feature
• Track recurring bill amounts for changes
• Negotiate lower rates on essential services
• Set savings goals within the app

Step 4: Earn Cash Back on Holiday Shopping with Rakuten

Smart holiday shopping isn’t just about saving money – it’s about earning money back on purchases you’re already planning to make. Rakuten turns your holiday shopping into a money-making opportunity:

Getting Started with Rakuten

1. Sign up for a free account (get a $30 bonus when you spend $30!)
2. Install the browser extension for automatic savings alerts
3. Start your shopping through Rakuten.com or the app

Maximize Your Holiday Shopping Rewards

• Shop early to take advantage of major sales events
• Stack cash back with credit card rewards
• Look for special double cash back promotions
• Use Rakuten for both online and in-store shopping

Smart Shopping Categories for Christmas

• Electronics and gadgets
• Toys and games
• Clothing and accessories
• Home decor and holiday decorations
• Travel bookings for holiday visits

Step 5: Create a Smart Holiday Shopping Strategy

Now that you have your savings tools in place, let’s talk strategy:

Year-Round Preparation

• Start shopping early to spread out expenses
• Take advantage of off-season sales
• Keep a running gift idea list in YNAB’s notes section
• Track price fluctuations on big-ticket items

Holiday Shopping Tips

1. Make a detailed gift list with budgeted amounts
2. Compare prices across multiple retailers
3. Always check for Rakuten cash back before purchasing
4. Keep track of spending in YNAB to stay on budget

Step 6: Maintain and Grow Your Christmas Fund

Monthly Check-ins

• Review your progress toward savings goals
• Adjust monthly contributions if needed
• Look for additional saving opportunities
• Celebrate milestones along the way

Emergency Protection

• Keep your Christmas fund separate from emergency savings
• Consider opening a dedicated high-yield savings account
• Set up automatic transfers to prevent temptation

Bonus Section: Advanced Holiday Saving Strategies

Digital Tools and Apps

Complement your main savings tools with:

• Price tracking apps for gift items
• Coupon aggregators
• Cash back credit cards
• Digital gift lists
• Budget tracking spreadsheets

Psychological Tricks for Successful Saving

• Name your Christmas fund something meaningful
• Create visual savings trackers
• Set up small rewards for reaching milestones
• Share your goals with accountability partners
• Celebrate saving victories, no matter how small

Year-Round Money-Saving Habits

• Practice the 24-hour rule before purchases
• Use cash envelopes for certain categories
• Implement no-spend days or weeks
• Create a gift closet for year-round deals
• Start holiday crafts and DIY projects early

Conclusion: How to Start a Christmas Fund

Starting a Christmas fund isn’t just about saving money – it’s about creating a stress-free holiday season where you can focus on what truly matters. By combining the power of YNAB’s budgeting system, Rocket Money’s subscription management, and Rakuten’s cash back rewards, you’re well-equipped to make this holiday season your most financially successful yet.

Remember, the key to a successful Christmas fund is starting early and staying consistent. Whether you’re saving $50 or $500 monthly, every dollar you set aside now is one less worry during the holiday season.

Ready to start your Christmas fund? Sign up for YNAB’s free trial, connect your accounts to Rocket Money, and create your Rakuten account today. Your future self (and your wallet) will thank you come December!

Affiliate Disclosure: This post includes affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I personally trust and use. Thank you for supporting The Budgetnista!

The post How to Start a Christmas Fund: 6 Steps to Holiday Savings appeared first on The Budgetnista.

On April 12, 2015, I published my first post.

In the nine years since I’ve kept writing… and writing…and writing.

I’ve published 428 articles about retirement (see my Archives page).  If you do the math * …

…I’ve written the equivalent of 11 books over the past 9 years. *

(* The Math: 1,500 words per post x 428 posts = 642,000 words.  The average 200-page book is 60,000 words, so that’s ~ 10 books.  Add in the actual book I wrote, and it’s equivalent to 11 books in 9 years.)

And yet, with all of the writing, I’ve missed something.

I’ve never taken the opportunity to step back and think about what I’ve learned from all of my writing.

During our recent RV trip to the Ozarks, I took some time to reflect, and today I’m sharing the most important things I’ve learned through my years of writing articles about retirement. 

I suspect the most important lesson may surprise you.  But I’m getting ahead of myself…

I’ve written the equivalent of 11 books in the past 9 years, all on retirement. What’s the most important thing I’ve learned in the process?
Share on X

What I’ve Learned Writing 400 Articles About Retirement

Reflecting on the past 9 years of writing has been an interesting trip down memory lane.  

• The first 3 years, as I was preparing for retirement.
• The middle 3 years, as I was making the transition.
• The final 3 years, as I figured it out.

It’s all there.

The 428 articles are like pebbles I’ve sprinkled on the trail, helping those in my footsteps find their way.  I’m thankful I decided to experiment with blogging.  It’s turned into something I love.

But what have I learned?

What I’ve Learned About Retirement

• Retirement Is Complex:  Any topic that can fill 11 books has more layers than an onion. Don’t underestimate how complex retirement is.  Yes, we all expect the financial complexity (Bucket Strategies, Roth Conversions, Safe Withdrawal Rates, Estimated Quarterly taxes, Asset Allocation, etc.).  What’s been more surprising to me is the complexity behind the non-financial aspects of retirement.  Working through your experiments to determine how to replace all those non-financial aspects you once received from work (Sense of Identity, Purpose, Structure, Relationships).  As complex as the financial issues are, I would argue the non-financial aspects are more so. Be prepared for ebbs and flows as you go through your retirement transition, you’re entering a maze that’s more complex than most people realize.

• Retirement Can Be Difficult:  I’ve gotten hundreds of emails from readers telling me their stories, and I’ve read every one.  Many are stories of the difficulties you’re having adjusting to retirement.  Your stories led me to research the Four Phases of Retirement and realize how blessed I was to be in the 10-15% of retirees who skip the dreaded Phase II.  As you’ll read in the next bullet, I’m convinced there’s a proven way to make retirement less difficult, and I’m fortunate that I chose the right path.

• There Are Proven Ways To Make It Easier:  I was 3 years from retirement when I started this blog.  I’d seen some of my friends struggle with the retirement transition, and I was obsessed with learning why some people have great retirements, whereas others struggle. I was motivated to find the path that led to success and was fortunate to discover it. I’m convinced it wasn’t merely luck, but rather a result of the extensive planning my wife and I did in my final few years of work.  If there’s one trick I’ve learned to make retirement less difficult, it’s the importance of putting in the work to prepare for the transition before you cross The Starting Line. Focus on the non-financial aspects as much (or more) as you do the financial ones.  To understand how I approached the challenge, check out The Ultimate Retirement Planning Guide, which lays out all the steps starting 5 years before you retire.

• Retirement Changes With Time:  I’ve often said that retirement is like marriage – you never really know what it’s like until you do it.  As I thought about what I’ve learned from writing so many articles about retirement, I realized there’s another parallel between marriage and retirement.  Just as your marriage will evolve over the years, so too will your retirement.   The honeymoon is great, but it doesn’t last forever.  Working through the challenges that surface is one of the fun parts of both marriage and retirement.  No retirement (or marriage) is perfect, but there’s a lot you can do to make it the best experience possible.  Learn to experiment, learn to follow your curiosity, and learn to maintain a positive attitude.  If there’s one piece of advice I’d give to help you deal with the changes that occur throughout your retirement, it is to embrace, nurture, listen to, and follow your curiosity wherever it leads.

• Retirement Can Be The Best Phase Of Your Life:  We all want great retirements, right?  I’m grateful that retirement is the best phase of my life.  Many of you can say the same.  But….there is a large percentage of folks who can’t.  If you’re struggling, I encourage you to study those in the first camp.  Listen to what they talk about, and observe what they do.  Chances are good you won’t hear much talk about money.  As I wrote in The 90/10 Rule of Retirement, if you’ve done your planning correctly you won’t worry much about money after you retire.  By studying the 72% of happy retirees,  you’ll find the common themes of Curiosity, Purpose, Relationships, Fitness, and Planning.   Focus on doing those things well, and you’ll find, like many others, that retirement can be the best years of your life. It’s interesting to realize how many of those commonalities relate to the non-financial aspects of retirement.  In my experience, it’s in those areas where you’ll find true joy.  

• Adaptability Is Critical (And Can Be Learned):  Retirement will be one of the biggest changes you’ll experience in life, so embrace it (rather than resist it).  Intentionally choose to adopt a positive mindset before crossing The Starting Line, retirement is in many ways a self-fulfilling prophecy. The creative muscles in our minds have gotten out of shape during our careers.  Through decades of “grooming,” we’ve lost our mental flexibility. A key to a successful retirement is to learn to exercise that long-dormant creative part of your brain that you haven’t used since childhood.  Learn to play again.   Learn to embrace change.   Foster curiosity, and take that first step – you’ll be surprised where it can lead. If things aren’t going as expected, learn to adapt through trial and error.  You’re in control, and with that comes both opportunity and obligation.  As you work through that “messy middle” you’ll find yourself missing many of those non-financial benefits you once received from work (relationships, sense of identity, purpose, goals, sense of achievement, etc).  There’s nothing wrong with falling back to some sort of work to fulfill these basic human needs, but hold off on making that decision until you’ve explored other non-work avenues to achieve the same thing.  Consider doing non-profit work, and getting involved in new areas of your community.  Learn to adapt…and overcome.

My Biggest Surprises Along The Way

• Retirement Is Nothing Like I Thought It Would Be:  And yet, retirement is exactly as I thought it would be.  I wrote about that contradiction here, and have been surprised by how many things in retirement have taken me by surprise. If I’d written a list of 100 things I expected in retirement, it would never have included having a treehouse writing studio, building a woodworking shop, starting a charity with my wife, or building a barn.  And yet, those surprises are perfectly aligned with the mindset I established when I wrote The 10 Commandments of Retirement just three months before I retired.   My mindset is exactly what I had hoped for, but the places it has led have been a series of retirement surprises.  This reality of how retirement evolves, and the things I have chosen to pursue with my free time,  has been one of the biggest surprises in my retirement.   

• I’m Not Who I Used To Be:  Losing one’s sense of identity is a risk often associated with retirement.  One of my biggest surprises is how easily I’ve shed my past sense of identity (Corporate Warrior) and how easily I’ve discovered the New Me. The “New Me” is an identity I’ve been free to develop and embrace, and I wear my new identity with pride.  In reality, I don’t have one overriding identity now.  Rather, I wear several different hats, and they all fit perfectly.  Some days, I’m a writer.  On other days, I’m a guy who builds fences alongside other enthusiastic volunteers.  Or, if I prefer, I’m a woodworker playing around in my shop on my latest project. Sometimes I’m a virtual builder, figuring out how to assemble the Building Blocks of my past into a new hobby, like mountain biking.  Two things are certain:  1) I’m not who I used to be, and 2) I love who I’ve become. 

• Spending Money Is Hard:  While I think a lot less about money now than I did in my working years, I still find it hard to spend money.  It takes a long time to break a lifetime habit of frugality, but I’m making progress.  Knowing your Safe Withdrawal Rate helps, as does having money flow monthly into your checking account via a Bucket Strategy.  If the money is in our checking account, we’ve got to learn how to spend it. The market has been generous since we retired in 2018, and we’re still underspending what we can safely spend.  To rectify that, my wife and I decided to “go big” with our travel plans in 2025.  You’ll see more about it in a future post, but we’ve booked a cruise to Greenland!  Yes, we’re still learning, but we’re making progress…

• Mindset Matters:  When most folks think about retirement, they focus on the money.  That’s natural, but I’ve been surprised to discover that the mindset you bring to retirement matters as much as the portfolio. Pursuing your curiosity with a positive attitude is the proven path to Phase IV’s “Reinvent & Rewire”, which should be the goal for anyone seeking an enjoyable retirement.  Of all the things I’ve learned while writing, the importance of mindset is the one I think of most often.  Spend as much time preparing your mind as you do preparing your finances.  It matters.

• Focusing On Others Is More Rewarding Than Focusing On Self:  Throughout our careers, we’ve had to prioritize “self.”  Striving for that pay raise, trying to earn that promotion.  That’s fine, but retirement is the time to change that priority.  You don’t need to focus on yourself anymore.  You’ve made it.  More rewarding is searching for opportunities to help others who haven’t “made it” yet. If you’re not enjoying retirement, and you’re primarily focused on yourself, try shifting gears.  Look for an opportunity to help someone else.  You won’t regret it. 

• We’re All On The Journey Together: Of all the things I’ve learned by writing these articles about retirement, one that resonates with me is the reality that we’re all trying to figure out this journey together.  I’ve had thousands of interactions with you through comments and emails, and I’ve learned that we’re all just figuring it out as we go.  It’s an exciting time in life, and the community that has developed around this blog is one of the most rewarding aspects of my writing. I wish you could read all of the emails I receive. I hope you read the comments on each post (my favorite part of blogging).  I get motivated knowing that the words I write on this keyboard are helping you on your journey.  Knowing we’re all in this together, and we can benefit by interacting together, is perhaps the biggest lesson I’ve learned over the years. That’s led to my biggest discovery during this time of introspection, and the most important thing I’ve learned.  I’m saving that for the conclusion below.  

Conclusion

I’m amazed that I’ve written over 600,000 words on this blog. Retirement is, indeed, more complex than an onion.  I’ve learned a lot along the way, and I’m thankful I took the time to reflect on today’s post.

So…

…What is the most important thing I’ve learned?

As I’ve taken some serious time thinking about it, the most important thing I’ve learned is WHY I write.  Before I go there, it’s important to touch on the “why nots”:

• I don’t do it for the money (trust me, it’s not much.  It doesn’t quite cover our health insurance).
• I don’t do it for the fame (I hate to break it to you, but I’m really not famous)
• I don’t do it for bragging rights (tho it is cool to say I’m a published author, wink).

So what, then, is my primary motive for writing?

As I’ve reflected over the past month, my thoughts kept coming back to you, the reader. Knowing that you benefit from the words I write is rewarding beyond words. I’ve found my Purpose in “giving back” through my writing, and it’s made my retirement better than I could have imagined.  

• Knowing I’m helping people live better lives. 
• Knowing that my experience is helping you tackle your challenges.   
• Knowing I’m making a difference, small as it may be.

You are my motivation. 

• My Purpose.
• What keeps me going.
• You are the reason I do this. 

It’s rewarding to realize that the work I’m doing has evolved into a Purpose, focused on helping you and thousands of others like you.

It sounds trivial, perhaps, but it’s my reality. And, it’s the most important thing I’ve learned.

Helping others is a great way to live life, and much more enjoyable than being obsessed with self.

I’ve found my motivation.  Find yours. Then, embrace it.  

To each of you, a heartfelt thanks for being my inspiration.

I hope my words continue to help you on your journeys. 

Because of everything I’ve learned, the most important is that you are helping me, on mine. 

Your Turn:  What motivates you?  What have you learned in retirement, either through my blog or elsewhere, that would benefit others? And, for fun, which article comes to mind when you think of the 400+ I’ve written? Let’s chat in the comments…

The post What I’ve Learned Writing 400 Articles About Retirement appeared first on The Retirement Manifesto.