In your forties, it’s time to get serious about your money. Let’s take care of business and establish your financial plan. You can create your future. When I meet with people in their sixties, their net worth and retirement preparedness has little to do with their income, but has a lot to do with how consistent they were with their planning and saving in their thirties and forties. So, be the 40 year old that will make your 65 year old self proud.
1. You are behind. Chances are that you have neglected some aspects of your financial planning at this point and many people in their forties are not on a trajectory that will lead to a comfortable future. Some people are only a little behind and just need to add a few things, but others are severely in danger. You still have the potential for significant compounding of your investments so take advantage of the fact that time is on your side.
Here’s a checklist of what you should have:
- savings plan of how much to save and where;
- a retirement plan that calculates a finish line when you can retire;
- an estate plan;
- a college funding plan for your kids;
- comprehensive insurance for your assets, life, and for unexpected liabilities;
tax strategies to minimize your tax bills; - a disciplined, investment program and target asset allocation.
Catch up: Financial Planning In Your Twenties
Financial Planning In Your Thirties
2. Get Rid of Debt. At this point, you should have a mortgage as your only debt. You should have paid off your student loans, and should be paying your credit cards in full every month. “Living within your means” means you don’t borrow money for furnishings, vacations, or toys.
If you are serious about your financial future, you will recognize that cars are a terrible waste of money. All cars lose about 50% of their value within five years. I see a lot of people who are leasing a Mercedes or driving a new $65,000 truck who tell me they cannot afford to put $400 a month into an IRA. My advice: keep your current car for as long as possible, 100,000 miles or more, then buy used and pay cash.
See: Rethink Your Car Expenses
Should You Get A New Car to Save Gas?
3. Save Based on Goals. In your twenties and thirties, you probably saved based on ability: I can afford to save $300 a month, or, I’ll save 10% to my 401(k). That’s okay to start, but it’s not looking at what is actually needed to accomplish your goals. Maybe you didn’t even have a goal! When your goal is specific, a course of action becomes obvious. If your goal is to pay for four years of tuition at a certain university, we can project how much that will cost and how much we need to save to achieve that goal.
For financial independence, start with your living expenses and apply a 4% withdrawal rate. If you need $60,000 a year to spend, that would require a portfolio of $1,500,000 (4% = $60,000). Now you have a specific goal. How much do you need to save to get to $1.5 million at age 65? Can you do it by 62? Are your investments likely to achieve the return necessary to reach your finish line? Your actions – spending, saving, and investing – should be based on a plan for your goals.
See: Setting Your Financial Goals
4. Family Needs. Increasingly, we are seeing adults who besides having to plan for their own future and their children’s needs are having to help their retired parents with care or financial support. Have a conversation with your parents and understand how they have planned for their retirement. Do they have a retirement income plan and an estate plan? Are you seeing any signs of memory loss or a decline in cognitive skills? These are signs of potential difficulty managing money in the future. If your parents are in their seventies or older, it might be a good idea to have conversations about money and their wishes. And of course, they might need a financial planner to help them as well.
See: Financial Planning for the Sandwich Generation
5. Umbrella Policy. When it comes to insurance, don’t just get “a” policy. Take the time to understand what your policies cover and exclude and make sure your coverage is more than adequate. People who look only at getting the lowest rate on their home and auto insurance are likely to be disappointed by their coverage, exclusions, and deductibles if, or should I say when, they have a claim. It’s important to make sure you have enough insurance, especially as your net worth grows.
That’s why I recommend clients consider an Umbrella Policy, which will supplement the liability coverage on your home and auto policies. If you have a car accident, your umbrella policy can provide another $1 million or more in coverage above the $250,000 limit on your auto policy. For a few hundred dollars a year, it’s worth owning an umbrella. If you don’t have a policy, or want to shop rates, I can refer you to an independent agent who can help you consider your options.
