Keen On Retirement

How many times have you read some variation of this headline, or heard that number thrown around in casual conversation? You might have even used this “conventional wisdom” to talk yourself out of starting your own company. Fifty percent makes it sounds like your odds of success are on par with flipping a coin and guessing heads or tails. But that’s the tricky thing about numbers: taken out of context, they can be deceiving. Let’s dig into that 50% a little deeper and ask, “Why do half of small businesses close?” According to the Small Business Administration, the number one reason, yes, is a lack of revenue. Number two? The owner retires. Number three? The owner sells the company. So, two of the top three reasons that most small businesses close aren’t necessarily negative! They might even represent a lifetime of fulfilling work leading to a profitable exit for the business owner! Recently, you might have come across some big numbers related to our economy that have you nervous about your nest egg. On today’s show, we dig into those numbers as well to separate the facts from the hype.

At Keen Wealth, we believe that financial planning isn’t just about money. It’s about using your money to live the best, most fulfilling, and happiest life you can.

In March of 2009, the markets bottomed out in the aftermath of the housing crisis and bank collapses. Gigantic financial institutions teetered on bankruptcy and scrambled for government support. Millions of ordinary folks lost their homes or their jobs, and all saw their retirement savings decline in value. In the moment, it was hard to imagine how our economy would get back to normal.

How much about mom and dad’s financial picture should the kids be aware of? And when do kids need to know numbers and other hard details instead of just generalities?

In just the past six months or so the markets have passed some amazing historical milestones. We’ve reflected on one of the true revolutions in financial services, had a couple complicated runs of volatility, and, the country made it through the contentious midterm elections that were fought against the background of some major economic challenges at home and abroad.

A few times every year a new client walks into Keen Wealth so excited to start planning and saving that they think they’ve already done the work for me! They show me this big, beautiful spreadsheet they’ve put together that has everything: salaries, assets, liabilities, cash in the bank, investment accounts, their whole financial picture.