How to Retire Comfortably FF at Feeling Financial asks: What factors play the biggest role in whether or not I’ll retire comfortably? Is it the funds I pick, how much I save, or how often I rebalance? Recently, when talking about budgeting with my Mom, she mentioned that she and my Dad never budgeted. That really surprised me. They were and still are very financially savvy. My dad came from an impoverished background and my mom’s upbringing was modest. My dad started working at age 10 to help…

“My first experience with an ‘advisor’, well actually he was a stock broker, was in my 20’s. I inherited a small sum of money from my aunt and I planned on investing it. I received a ‘cold call’ from Brian (not his real name), a stock broker from Prudential Bache Securities (now called Prudential), and we started talking. He was a former biology Ph.D. who made the switch from academia to investments. I was impressed by his educational background and demeanor. Next, we set up a meeting at his …

I’d like to ask what should I consider (and what questions should I be asking others/myself) when deciding where to roll-over my 401k? Quick Profile: – 30 years old – Recently married; husband has full-time job, but itching to leave – I just left my full-time job to start my own business (so it will be a while until I can contribute to a retirement plan). – no debts! credit cards paid in full, college loans paid off! – 401k has about $50k Options (broad strokes): – Keep my 401k with my compan…