Blog Posts

A comfortable retirement doesn’t come with a fixed price tag.

Expenses can change over time, and some of the most important ones are easy to overlook.

That’s one reason about 45% of retirees could run out of money in retirement.¹

The good news? That outcome isn’t inevitable. The key is recognizing which costs get overlooked and building flexibility into your plan.

Let’s explore five common blind spots and what you can do to prepare.
 

1. Overspending Day to Day

Small spending shifts can snowball quickly in retirement.

The Dow crosses 45,000. Your brain whispers: "This has to be the top."

The market drops 15%. Your brain screams: "Get out before it gets worse!"

Different scenarios. Same result: your brain hijacking your long-term investment strategy.

If you've ever felt paralyzed by market highs or panicked during market lows, you're not an outlier.

You're human.

The brain’s wiring is great for responding to immediate danger, like avoiding a snake. But that same instinct can misfire when applied to complex, long-term systems like financial markets.

Over the course of your investing life, you’ll encounter market lows and highs. Headlines often spotlight the extremes, especially when markets reach record levels. Take, for example: “Stocks Hit Record Highs. What’s Behind the Rally.”¹

All-time highs have an interesting effect on investor behavior and psychology.

As spring arrives and the weather warms up, many people turn their attention to cleaning out closets and organizing their homes. According to a recent survey, about 80% of Americans have spring cleaning on their radar this year.¹ While most focus on the physical space, spring is also a great time to get your financial house in order.

Refreshing your financial habits can reduce stress, provide structure, and uncover new opportunities to save money and time. It's a smart way to prepare for the busy summer months and beyond.

What makes one investor stick with their strategy through market swings while another panics and pulls out?

Often, it comes down to mindset.

Your investing mindset can shape how you make decisions, respond to volatility, and pursue financial goals.1 Without a strategy that aligns with that mindset, it’s easy to make impulsive choices or lose sight of your long-term plan.