December 2018 Retirement In Sight

Quote of the Month

“It is wonderful what we can do if we are always doing.” -George Washington

Can You Psych Yourself Up to Save More?

You have probably spent decades saving for retirement, and you might have a decade or more of saving to go before you actually retire. At times, your resolve may be tested. The stock market may falter; household money pressures may mount; new near-term priorities may arise. What can you do to stay on point and stick with this financial commitment you have made to your future self?

First, keep picturing the future you want. Envision the dreams and goals you want to accomplish. If you want to retire to a certain place, spend a day or a weekend there. If you imagine yourself enjoying a particular hobby or pursuit, try out that pastime today. This could reinforce the importance of retirement saving at a time when distractions threaten. Second, if you are tempted to spend more and save less after a raise or promotion, think about the opportunity cost of that choice. A $100 or $500 expenditure on some consumer good poised to depreciate is not an investment in your future, but $100 or $500 invested in equities or fixed-income vehicles could result in further progress toward your savings objective. Third, automate your saving and investing, if that is not already the case, so you never have to think about it. You can do this with an IRA, not just a workplace retirement plan. Some workplace plans offer you the option of gradually increasing your contribution rate. So, instead of merely saving for something hazy called “retirement,” save for the dreams that inspire you.¹

New Ingredients Enhance Culinary Tours

If some of your fondest travel memories center on the cuisine you have savored abroad, you may be intrigued to know how culinary vacations are taking on a whole new flavor. The new trend is toward a deep food experience: exploring the origin and culture giving birth to the food, not merely the food alone.

These trips strive to provide a memorable balance of activities, culture, and cuisine. You might ride a conventional or electric bike from one prime foodie destination to the next in Italy or Spain, fish for salmon and gather edible herbs in Alaska or the Yukon, or go clamming and cook on wild rhubarb-covered rocks in Patagonia. Obviously, trips of this sort are not cheap (think $5,000-$10,000 for two weeks, not including airfare), but they can provide a profoundly immersive experience and lifelong memories. In some areas, you can even add this kind of encounter to a vacation yourself: travel services like NOSHtrekker in Singapore help travelers dine at the homes of locals who share their interest in art, history, and other disciplines.²

Did you know?

Famous Fast Words.

Some celebrated novels and novellas have been written with astonishing speed. Irish author John Boyne wrote the first draft of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas in 60 hours. Fyodor Dostoyevsky wrote The Gambler in 26 days. Jack Kerouac wrote On the Road in three weeks.^3,4

On the Bright Side

Participants in employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) have an average balance of $170,326 by the estimate of the National Center for Employee Ownership, which is more than twice the mean savings that workers have amassed in other kinds of employer-sponsored retirement plans. There are about 6,700 ESOPs nationwide.⁵

WESTconsin Investment Advisors may be reached at 800-924-0022 ext 6939 or WESTconsininvestments.com

Securities sold, advisory services offered through CUNA Brokerage Services, Inc. (CBSI), member FINRA/SIPC, a registered broker/dealer and investment advisor. CBSI is under contract with the financial institution to make securities available to members.

Not NCUA/NCUSIF/FDIC insured, May Lose Value, No financial institution guarantee. Not a deposit of any financial institution.

This material was prepared by MarketingPro, Inc., and does not necessarily represent the views of the presenting party, nor their affiliates. This information has been derived from sources believed to be accurate. The publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting or other professional services. If assistance is needed, the reader is advised to engage the services of a competent professional. This information should not be construed as investment, tax or legal advice and may not be relied on for the purpose of avoiding any Federal tax penalty.

CITATIONS.
1 - marketwatch.com/story/how-to-use-mental-tricks-to-save-more-for-retirement-2018-12-10 [12/10/18]
2 - kiplinger.com/article/retirement/T059-C000-S004-savor-the-tastes-of-local-culture-in-retirement.html [12/4/18]
3 - irishtimes.com/culture/books/first-draft-of-the-boy-in-striped-pyjamas-took-me-two-days-1.3034687 [4/3/17]
4 - independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/in-just-30-days-you-too-can-write-a-masterpiece-2121214.html [10/31/10]
5 - plansponsor.com/workers-esops-double-retirement-savings/ [12/6/18]

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