Boomer Women: 1 Mistake You Can Avoid in Your Retirement

Do you know what that 1 mistake might be? Can you guess?

Let me just say that it’s not as difficult as you might think.

This mistake can be avoided if you just pay attention. Now I know that doesn’t sound as though that should be very difficult but you would be surprised! As a woman born in the times we were, Woodstock and all that…….it seems like paying attention would be easier than it really is.

Here are my thoughts on something I fear that we don’t pay attention to and I would love to hear your thoughts.

I don’t think women pay enough attention to money. Our money. Our finances. I think too many times we pass that responsibility on to the men in our lives and believe or hope that they know what they are doing and they will protect us. We allow or expect our husbands, fathers, and brothers to give us advice or even handle our money because we assume or hope they know best.

The truth of the matter is that this is often faulty thinking. Or wishful thinking. There is no prince charming that is going to sweep us off our feet and take care of us for the rest of our lives. Maybe you have that experience and it has been successful for you and if that is your situation then good for you. But it is not true for most women.

If you haven’t yet, it is time for you to realize that no one can take care of you as well as you can take care of yourself. And to take care of yourself you need to know your money situation, you need to be savvy and smart, and you need to take charge.

Wow. I know when I say that you are thinking “I already do and I am fine.” To that I say a roaring “Good for you, keep it up!”

For the rest of you, it’s time to get your financial house in order. How much money did you make last month? How much money do you have in your bank accounts, without peeking? How much money do you have saved for your retirement? Unless you are a financial advisor yourself, it might be prudent to have someone who is an expert in this area.

Will you work in your retirement? Just because you may retire from your current job certainly does not mean you retire from life. Many women work in retirement to supplement retirement funds or simply for the joy of doing something they love and getting paid for it.
Do you have enough saved in your retirement now to fund the lifestyle you hope to enjoy? Have you sat down with paper and pen and done the math? This is not a time for guessing.

The poverty level in the elder years is much higher for women than it is for men. There are many reasons for this but so often it really is just that they didn’t pay attention. They let other’s handle their money for them.

Please, please if you haven’t before; please start paying attention to your money now. Figure out where you stand financially. Will it carry you through your ‘golden years’? If your answer is not really, then what is your plan?

I would love to hear below if your feel in charge of your financial world or if it is something you are ready to step up and take charge of. Oh, and don’t forget, you should have 6 month’s emergency money, just in case.