Feldman Financial Services, LLC

08/05/2026

FINANCIALLY FOCUSED

August 2026 Newsletter

SAVING FOR RETIREMENT WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE COMES FIRST

According to a recent U.S. News and World Report article, How to Save for Retirement While Paying for Everything Else, building a retirement nest egg can be challenging enough on its own, but it could get harder when college savings, credit card debt, and the rising cost of everyday life are all competing for the same paycheck.

The good news is that financial experts say a clear sense of priorities can make it manageable.

Start With an Emergency Fund

Before anything else, the article recommends having three to six months of essential living expenses in an accessible account. Without that cushion, any unexpected expenses like a car repair, a medical bill, or a job loss can force you to raid retirement savings or take on high-interest debt, setting back progress on both fronts.

Then, Capture the Full Match

According to the article, once an emergency fund is in place, the next priority is maximizing contributions to any employer-sponsored retirement plan, such as a 401(k). Many employer sponsored plans require contributing at least 6% of your salary to unlock a full employer match, although matching formulas vary by employer. The article describes employer matching contributions as one of the most reliable returns available to any investor.

The power of compounding over time makes starting early and staying consistent especially valuable for those in their peak earning years.

Tackle High-Interest Debt

Carrying a credit card balance can quietly undermine even a well-funded retirement strategy. The article outlines two approaches: paying off the smallest balances first for a psychological boost or targeting the highest interest rates first to reduce overall cost.

Either method could work, and the key is making consistent progress.

College Savings Come After Retirement

It may feel counterintuitive, but the article is direct on this point: funding a child's education should come after securing your own retirement. Children have other potential options like jobs, scholarships, and student loans. Retirement doesn't offer the same flexibility.

As the article puts it, the best financial gift you can give your children is not becoming a financial burden to them later.

07/22/2026

HOW LONG WILL YOUR RETIREMENT ACTUALLY LAST?

How long will your retirement last? It's a question many Americans haven't thought through carefully enough, and the answer may surprise you.
According to a March 2026 report from the TIAA Institute, only about one-third of Americans can correctly answer a basic question about how much longer a 65-year-old woman is likely to live.
The correct answer, which is roughly 22 more years, to age 87, stumps many people. That knowledge gap has real consequences for retirement planning.

The Numbers May Surprise You

The life expectancy figures most of us learned in school are calculated at birth. But here's the key insight: life expectancy rises with age. A man who turns 65 today can expect to live another 19 years, to around age 84. A woman of the same age will live nearly 22 more years on average.Simply put, the longer you live, the longer you're likely to keep living.

Underestimating Can Be Costly

When people underestimate how long they'll live, they tend to plan for a shorter retirement and that can be a costly mistake. More than half of those who underestimated life expectancy said they expected to live fewer than 20 years after retiring, an estimate that's likely too low.

Many Americans retire in their early 60s. Many financial services professionals suggest preparing for a retirement that’s 30 years or more, depending on your personal situations and needs.

07/22/2026

You have a clear picture in your mind of what your retirement should look like. But do you have the resources to make that picture come to life? Saving for retirement is essential, but in many cases, thats just the first step. Navigating your way to your retirement often depends on choosing the financial strategy that helps you work towards getting there.

This book is designed to help you better understand what your options are as you near retirement. By the time you have finished this book, you should have a clearer idea of which solutions best meet your needs, and feel more confident about your financial future.

Available at Amazon

05/29/2024

You have a clear picture in your mind of what your retirement should look like. But do you have the resources to make that picture come to life? Saving for retirement is essential, but in many cases, that’s just the first step. Navigating your way to your retirement often depends on choosing the financial strategy that helps you work towards getting there.

This book is designed to help you better understand what your options are as you near retirement. By the time you’ve finished this book, you should have a clearer idea of which solutions best meet your needs, and feel more confident about your financial future.
Get your copy now!
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJXLFDNM?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

05/27/2024

This Memorial Day, let's honor and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

05/24/2024

The journey to retirement can be full of excitement and worry, obstacles and windfalls, ups and downs. We’re here for all of it. Visit https://www.feldfinancial.com/ to begin the discussion about building a map to retirement today.

05/22/2024

Look for strategies to minimize your tax liability during your retirement years. Give us a call today.

Look for strategies to lower your tax liability during your retirement years.

05/20/2024

Dedication, hard work and an honest approach to serving the needs of clients in the New Jersey Shore area are overriding values that Carl focused on. He has built his business using a philosophy geared toward helping people work towards achieving their retirement dreams.

05/17/2024

These mountain towns feature majestic peaks and reasonable housing costs.

These mountain towns feature majestic peaks and reasonable housing costs.

05/15/2024

New rules under the SECURE 2.0 Act provide more savings opportunities for gig economy workers.

New rules under the SECURE 2.0 Act provide more savings opportunities for gig economy workers.