As a financial planner, one of my favorite questions to ask clients is: “What’s going on in your life?” It sounds simple, but you’d be amazed how often big life decisions happen first — and the phone call to me comes after.
Gold is very different from a stock or bond investment. It is a tangible store of value that has a long history. For centuries civilization has used gold for trade and commerce, making it a familiar commodity. Like other commodities, there is only so much gold on earth and only so much in circulation. While the ability to mine and extract has continued to improve, there is a finite amount of gold. Because there is only so much gold, the value of it tends to be governed by supply and demand. Gold is not like currencies where a government can decide to increase supply by just printing more money.
If you’re navigating a divorce—or recently on your own—and wondering whether you’ll be okay financially, you don’t have to figure it out alone. A clear plan can bring peace of mind and put you back in control of your future.
Your debit card is the most vulnerable to financial loss because it is linked directly to your bank account. You have two business days to refute any unauthorized charges on a debit card under federal law. If the charges are reported within two business days of learning about the theft, maximum liability = $50. After two business days, the liability rises to $500. But if you wait more than 60 days, you may be liable for the entire amount stolen which can add up to thousands of dollars.
Have you ever lost your wallet? I did years ago when I left my wallet in a pay phone booth (yes, I am dating myself!). I will never forget the panic I felt. I was fortunate it was found and turned into the local police station with everything intact, but many are not so lucky. If you cannot find your wallet, do you recall your panic while trying to recall the last place you remember having it. In your car? Your house? Did you drop it? Was it stolen?
When it comes to Social Security, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people take it at 62 (Generally, this is the earliest one can collect). Others wait until 70 to maximize their benefit. And then there are special considerations if you’re divorced or widowed.