subject: Make Your Nest Egg Last Longer [print this page] Planning your retirement finances isn't as simple as picking a couple of good investments and resting on your laurels for the rest of your life. Neither should you depend solely on Social Security for your golden years. Aside from the diversification, saving money, and thinking ahead, here are a few more things for you to consider, helping you prevent inflation and other factors from depleting your nest egg.
Prioritize where your money goes: investments first, experiences second, and services and material possessions last. A proper investment lets your nest egg grow, while experiences are priceless and are seen more favorably over time. The memory of a great vacation with your spouse or family will be infinitely more enjoyable than a new SUV. You might even encounter buyer's remorse, as you'll get bored with your new plaything and want something new, eventually. When you think about it, good experiences can be seen as a buffer against unexpected death - theoretically, you should direct almost all of your funds towards investments that help your money grow, but since nobody lives forever, enjoying yourself occasionally is also very important.
Shuffle your portfolio from time to time. Diversification is good for your funds - it's a hedge against inflation that helps you suffer relatively minimal loss should some investments fail to give you the returns you projected. Diversifying your portfolio regularly based on ever-changing market conditions is one of the most important money-making strategies you'll use, making its routine balancing integral to your nest egg.
Ways to make your nest egg last longer should be incorporated into every person's retirement plan. A good retirement plan that does that involves continuous and diligent work. When you prioritize your spending and mix up your portfolio, you can earn more and accumulate enough to live on for the rest of your life.