It’s all retirement, all the time around here lately. Ever since I posted a giveaway of Mary Hunt’s “The Smart Woman’s Guide to Retirement,” various once-you’ve-quit-working items have drifted my way. One of them, an upcoming TweetChat, could win you a nice big prize.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
The wave began with “Jump-Start Your Retirement Plan,” a day-long online chat sponsored by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and the National Association of Personal Financial Advisors. People were invited to submit questions before or during the event.
Happily, those questions and answers are archived at the above link. If you missed the chat, scroll through to see if any of your own questions get answered.
Next up was a post on my daughter’s website, I Pick Up Pennies. “Decision time: IRA or mortgage?” started up a stimulating conversation (54 comments including Abby’s replies). Some readers believe that she should fund retirement above all, especially since she got a late start due to illness and subsequent disability.
I’ll admit that was my first reaction. But reading her article made me understand why she’s hesitating. Give it a look yourself and see what you think.
When the clock is ticking
The other day I received a book called “The 5 Years Before You Retire: Retirement Planning When You Need It the Most,” written by Emily Guy Birken, whom I met at the 2010 Financial Blogger Conference.
Her premise is both simple and scary: “Even though half of all Americans put money aside for retirement, it isn’t until they reach their 60s that many realize that they haven’t saved enough.”
The book walks you through decisions you must make during your last few earning years so that you can create the most comfortable possible retirement. “Rather than muddle through the myriad decisions you will have to make…this book will help you to determine a clear, safe path,” says Birken, who writes for a number of personal finance sites and blogs at The SAHMnambulist.
I’m about to lend it to a friend whose retirement — like my own — is not what it should be due to divorce, a varied work history and family issues. Once she’s finished with the book it may very well become a Friday giveaway, so watch this space.
Want to win an Amazon gift card?
Finally we come to the “nice big prize” portion of the evening’s festivities. Ally Bank and Bankrate.com are co-hosting a TweetChat on Tuesday, March 4. At its conclusion two randomly chosen participants will each receive a $100 Amazon gift card.
“Discovering Retirement” will include topics like envisioning your post-work life, turning those dreams into reality, tips for living comfortably through the years and surprising stories by those who have made inspiring choices in retirement.
It starts at 2 p.m. EST. You can follow along on Twitter by using the #AllyBRChat hashtag or join the party in a special chat room.
Either way you must RSVP at the Ally website. Do it now, before you forget. They can’t draw you as a winner if you’re not on the list.
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I gotta get these books! Thanks!!!