Blogs
Block Out the Noise – Stay Focused on Your Financial Future
In 2025, the news cycle is non-stop. With the news moving a mile a minute, it can be very stressful. No matter what type of news you’re following, there’s no doubt that consuming too much news can often influence your financial decisions. However, for a successful retirement, it may be helpful to block out that noise and stay focused on your long-term goals.
Stop Following Conventional Retirement Strategies
If you’re a few years away from retirement or nearing retirement, chances are you’ve been researching what you need to do to help ensure a successful, long-term retirement. However, as the financial landscape evolves and the rules change, you may need to reconsider some traditional retirement strategies. In this article, we’ll dive into some of the common misconceptions and key factors to be aware of so you can pursue financial security in retirement. Read through to the end for one of the most critical factors that many retirees overlook!
5 Signs That You May Not Be Ready to Retire Just Yet
As you head towards retirement, you’ve likely been saving diligently in your 401(k) and IRAs, and you may start to wonder when you can actually retire.
At REAP Financial, we conduct many analyses with our advisers to show people when they can comfortably retire. In many cases, we find people could have retired sooner than they thought!
In this article, we’ll go over five signs that you may not be quite ready to retire. Read all the way to the end to learn about the most overlooked point of building towards true success in retirement!
Why You Can’t Rely on Social Security Alone
When you think about all the money you’ve paid into the Social Security system over the years, it’s a significant amount. Between your contributions and your employer’s, a total of 12.4% comes out of your paycheck. In some cases, the amount you’ve paid into Social Security may even make your retirement savings look relatively small.
However, in this article, we’ll explain why you should not rely solely on Social Security income. We’ll also discuss how the most successful retirees integrate their Social Security benefits with investment income, retirement accounts, and other assets to help create long-term financial stability in retirement. Watch the video below or scroll down to learn more.
5 Key Changes to Social Security in 2025
Every year, we see changes in the Social Security system. Next year, with a new administration coming into the White House, there has been a lot of buzz around Social Security, everything from what can be done to save it to cutting taxes on Social Security entirely. Although there is a lot of suspicion, a few changes to Social Security in 2025 have already been confirmed.
How to Build Your Best 2025 Budget Step-By-Step
At REAP Financial, we have successfully guided families in Central Texas and across the United States through retirement for 16 years. When you’re preparing for retirement, there are metrics that obviously matter, such as your rate of return on investments, inflation, Social Security claiming strategy, and more. However, the most important number for a successful retirement is your budget.
When you’re working, you don’t have to worry about keeping a strict budget, but when you retire, it is very important to know your boundaries. Your budget provides the framework for what you can spend, since there’s only so much money at the end of the day.
Tax-Efficient Year-End Giving Strategies
For most Americans, as we approach the end of the year, many people look for ways to save on taxes. This is where year-end gifting strategies come into play. You may give charitably to causes and organizations you believe in, or to your children or others. In this article, we’ll cover some smart ways to execute your year-end gifts that could save you on taxes, including potential income tax, capital gains tax, and charitable deductions.
What Are Some of the Hidden Costs of Retirement?
Retirement can bring a lot of joy or stress, depending on how you prepared for it. In this article, we’ll cover some of the hidden costs of retirement that people generally don’t talk about. These costs can blindside you, so you should aim to plan ahead. Be sure to read through to the end to learn about the top hidden cost that most people overlook!
6 Financial Resolutions To Make Before Retiring in 2025
As we approach the end of the year and the start of 2025, this is an ideal time to reflect on your financial goals and make resolutions that will position you for a successful retirement. In this article, we’ll cover the top six essential financial resolutions worth considering and implementing in the new year.