Maybe you’re thinking of setting ambitious financial goals come January. You know, the usual, like spend less, save more and make a ton of money. The truth is that many who set lofty goals end up seeing their resolutions fizzle by February because it’s hard to keep momentum or because their goals are too rigid, vague or unrealistic. Learn More: 3 Signs You’ve ‘Made It’ Financially, According to Financial Influencer Genesis Hinckley Read Next: 9 Low-Effort Ways To Make Passive Income (You Can Start This Wee ...

Core Insights - The article discusses the importance of evaluating retirement plans and highlights the use of AI, specifically ChatGPT, to assess a retirement strategy [1][2] Group 1: Positive Aspects of the Retirement Plan - The retirement plan includes several commendable strategies such as taking full advantage of the 401(k) match, which is considered "free money" [5] - A savings rate of 10%-15% of income is viewed as solid, especially for those who started saving early [5] - The investment strategy is low-cost and diversified, which is recognized as a great default approach [5] - The plan includes forward-thinking elements like increasing contributions over time and utilizing windfalls for retirement savings [5] Group 2: Areas for Improvement - The savings targets are deemed too low, with a recommendation to aim for 4-5 times salary by age 45 instead of just three times [4] - A higher savings rate of 15%-20% of income is suggested for those who did not start saving in their 20s or 30s [5] - A more aggressive savings timeline is proposed, with specific targets of 4 times salary by age 45, 6 times by age 50, 8 times by age 55, 10 times by age 60, and 12-15 times by age 67 [6] Group 3: Tax Strategy Recommendations - The article emphasizes the importance of diversifying tax exposure by funding both a Roth IRA and maintaining a regular taxable brokerage account [7] - This diversification is recommended for greater flexibility in withdrawals and tax management during retirement [7]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of having both short- and long-term financial goals to effectively build wealth over time [1] - A suggested savings goal is to accumulate $500,000 over 20 years, which requires understanding monthly contributions based on investment choices [2][3] - The S&P 500 has historically provided an average annual return of 8.4%, but after adjusting for inflation, the realistic return is estimated at 5.7% [3] Group 2 - To achieve the $500,000 goal with a 5.7% annual return, an initial investment and monthly contributions of $1,162 are necessary, resulting in a total of $500,220.92 after 20 years [5] - The concept of compound interest is crucial, as reinvesting returns leads to increased earnings over time [4] - Tracking spending habits is essential for identifying areas to save more money, which can help meet monthly savings targets [6] Group 3 - Generating additional income streams can significantly enhance savings potential, with various suggestions such as starting a vending machine business, creating online courses, or becoming a social media influencer [7]