Today’s Prep:

Sometimes, it’s hard to make financial sacrifices when the reward seems so far away. However, delayed gratification can be extremely beneficial when it comes to your finances. Eric talks about four situations when people may be tempted to choose instant gratification over a better long-term pay out.

Equipping Points:

1:10 401(k) Match

• You can’t leave this money out there.
• David Bach, author of “The Automatic Millionaire,” says you have to pay your future self first.
• If your company has a match, you need to put at least enough in to get the match because this is free money.
• Eric gives an example of his son who is saving in a Roth account.

3:40 Saving Only in Tax-Deferred Accounts

• You have to have tax diversification within your accounts. Taxable, tax-deferred, and tax-free money each have their place.
• If all of your retirement money is tax-deferred, then you’re at the mercy of tax rates.
• You don’t know what tax bracket you’ll be in when it’s time to retire.
• Having money that’ not subject to income tax is going to be a huge benefit later.

6:53 Cashing Out Retirement

• Eric shares about a time in his youth when he cashed out stock for car upgrades.
• When you take the money out, you lose future growth, and it will be heavily taxed.
• Your retirement money is meant to support your life once you are in retirement.
• When you change jobs, make sure to roll over your 401(k) instead of cashing out your account.

10:32 Working with the Wrong Advisor

• Consider who your advisor works for. The bigger firms may have sales managers that advisors answer to.
• If you work with a true fiduciary then you have full access to make your plan work toward your best interest.

Today’s Takeaway:

“You want to think about your retirement money as very sacred money. It’s meant to support your lifestyle and income in retirement. If you are not in retirement yet, you don’t want to think about being able to spend it until retirement. – Eric Peterson“