You hear a lot about investing for retirement, but what about during retirement or as you’re getting very near to it? This can be a great way to make the most of the money you’ve saved so far, but it can also be tricky. You will need to balance caution, ensuring that you don’t lose money, with being overcautious, which could mean that you don’t grow your investment at all. The tips below can help.
Things to Consider
There are a few factors you should think about before you get started. First, make sure that you have a budget and that any investing activity that you are involved in will not affect your main cashflow.
Next, consider liquidity and whether you can access at least some of your assets quickly if you need to. Take a look at how your taxes will be affected as well. Finally, think about inflation.
One reason investing can be important is so that your savings will keep pace with any inflation that occurs. Keeping all of these factors in mind can help you avoid unpleasant surprises.
What About Day Trading?
At the other end of the spectrum is day trading. This is very far from Investing 101, but if you’re a retiree with an interest in the stock market and some money to spare, you could always try your hand at it. You’ll need good computer hardware, reliable internet access, and a strong constitution for the ups and downs of the market.
Penny stocks are a particularly volatile option if day trading appeals to you, with great potential for both losses and gains. It’s a good idea to take a look at a daily watch list that can suggest the best penny stocks for you to invest in and trade.
Types of Investments
There are several types of investments that might be particularly appropriate for you as you approach retirement or if you are already retired. You will need to balance risk with the rate of return. A certificate of deposit can be stable and safe, but it also may not grow at a fast enough rate.
Bonds are another stable choice that may not offer exciting yields, but which can mature at a rate that allow you to keep reinvesting them. Stocks can take care of some of your need for growth, but you need to make sure that you choose high-quality ones. Keep in mind as well that you can also put your money into real estate and other investments.
Break it Down
One challenge you may face when managing your retirement budget is in thinking of retirement as one single chunk of time when in fact you may be looking at several decades that require different strategies at different times. You may want to break down the period into chunks of five years. This can also allow you to look at short, medium, and long-term strategies.
Meeting with a financial advisor with this approach in mind may also help you decide where to put your money.