Sound financial planning is all about considering major life events. Yes, some things happen unexpectedly, but it makes sense to reasonably anticipate some of these events in order to prepare. Moreover, major life events don’t have to be negative. Some of the best events in life require a financial plan. You wouldn’t want to get a baby or buy a house without a plan. In this episode, we’ll discuss how individuals can financially prepare for the six expected and unexpected life-changing events.
Moving: Buying Versus Renting
Moving is expensive, especially if you’re moving regularly. So, if you know a move is coming up, it would be best to plan ahead for the costs involved. Curb some of your expenses by looking for discounts. And if you’re moving through state lines, know that your experience can be similar to moving to another country. Tax rates will be different, and the cost of living can shift dramatically.
You should also consider how you’re going to live. Will you buy or rent? Again, if you’re not going to live in that house for five years or longer, renting would make sense. Remember, buying a house is one of the most important financial decisions you’ll ever make, so take your time.
Leaving a Job – Willingly or Unwillingly
Leaving a job, either willingly or unwillingly, can be a great life-changing event. From being fired, quitting, moving jobs, or retiring, the career pivot you make can bring some financial hardship or push you into an unwanted tax bracket. All this is important because it’s going to change your income.
Inheriting Assets
If you know you’ll receive an inheritance at some point in the future, it would be best to have a plan to accommodate the arrival of a large sum of money. Baby boomers are at that point where they stand to inherit wealth in the coming years. However, receiving significant sums of money carries with it financial responsibility. For example, there’s always the question of spending habits, taxes, or retirement planning. The complexity involved means that it’s always a good idea to get help from a professional.
Family Composition and Relationships
Family compositions and relationships are the other major life events that could impact our financial plan. Think of getting married, for example. Moving in together and combining finances can prove a daunting task. Throw in prenups into the equations, and some people don’t want to get married anymore. So, before you think about getting married, having babies, or even getting a divorce, think of all the things that could go wrong and then plan accordingly.
Kid’s Life Stages and Funding Education
When considering the cost of education, most people only worry about college. However, planning for your kids starts way earlier than that. First, when the baby arrives, life will undoubtedly get more complicated. For example, you might want to take out additional life insurance policies or change your saving and investment strategies based on your new goals and risk tolerance.
Unexpected Health Changes and Associated Costs
Another major life event you must plan for is an unexpected injury or illness. We all hope to live healthy and strong lives, but the fact is that illnesses and injuries do strike. So, how do you prepare yourself financially in case that happens? The most obvious one is maintaining adequate health insurance coverage at all times. You could also purchase disability insurance or consider long-term care insurance. Just make sure you’re covered in some way, shape, or form.
