Michelle Singletary

Asset limited, income constrained, employed.

Asset limited, income constrained, employed.

Asset limited, income constrained, employed.

I am punching a lot of pillows.

I am punching a lot of pillows.

I am punching a lot of pillows.

Are you a baby boomer? Yeah. I mean, like many people, I'm stressed to the max. You know, I've got a couple of years or so before I was thinking, OK, maybe I will retire. So I still have about three or four years before I have that serious conversation with myself. My husband, however, is retired and has been since 2023. So we're looking at his retirement account.

Are you a baby boomer? Yeah. I mean, like many people, I'm stressed to the max. You know, I've got a couple of years or so before I was thinking, OK, maybe I will retire. So I still have about three or four years before I have that serious conversation with myself. My husband, however, is retired and has been since 2023. So we're looking at his retirement account.

Are you a baby boomer? Yeah. I mean, like many people, I'm stressed to the max. You know, I've got a couple of years or so before I was thinking, OK, maybe I will retire. So I still have about three or four years before I have that serious conversation with myself. My husband, however, is retired and has been since 2023. So we're looking at his retirement account.

We're looking at my retirement account. He's not as stressed as I am. Because he's always the glasses half full kind of person. I'm not only is the glass half empty, it's like it needs another glass with some water. So I'm very, you know, very concerned because you don't know when the end is near, right? And that's the issue with retirement planning.

We're looking at my retirement account. He's not as stressed as I am. Because he's always the glasses half full kind of person. I'm not only is the glass half empty, it's like it needs another glass with some water. So I'm very, you know, very concerned because you don't know when the end is near, right? And that's the issue with retirement planning.

We're looking at my retirement account. He's not as stressed as I am. Because he's always the glasses half full kind of person. I'm not only is the glass half empty, it's like it needs another glass with some water. So I'm very, you know, very concerned because you don't know when the end is near, right? And that's the issue with retirement planning.

I mean, if we knew when we are going to pass away, if we knew how much health care would we need, if we knew what the housing market would do, we'd be all calm. But it's the unknown. And so I am punching a lot of pillows and crying and screaming and doing a little cussing, but trying to not let the fear grow. dictate moves, and that's the key.

I mean, if we knew when we are going to pass away, if we knew how much health care would we need, if we knew what the housing market would do, we'd be all calm. But it's the unknown. And so I am punching a lot of pillows and crying and screaming and doing a little cussing, but trying to not let the fear grow. dictate moves, and that's the key.

I mean, if we knew when we are going to pass away, if we knew how much health care would we need, if we knew what the housing market would do, we'd be all calm. But it's the unknown. And so I am punching a lot of pillows and crying and screaming and doing a little cussing, but trying to not let the fear grow. dictate moves, and that's the key.

Historically, the markets do return eventually. People come back. The underlying part of America, the economy, is still strong. So it's the fear is how long will it take? And if you have to draw down on your retirement funds, that is what is disconcerting because the balance is lower. And so you are pulling it out at a time where you're definitely going to lock in recent losses.

Historically, the markets do return eventually. People come back. The underlying part of America, the economy, is still strong. So it's the fear is how long will it take? And if you have to draw down on your retirement funds, that is what is disconcerting because the balance is lower. And so you are pulling it out at a time where you're definitely going to lock in recent losses.

Historically, the markets do return eventually. People come back. The underlying part of America, the economy, is still strong. So it's the fear is how long will it take? And if you have to draw down on your retirement funds, that is what is disconcerting because the balance is lower. And so you are pulling it out at a time where you're definitely going to lock in recent losses.

Then that means there'll be less left to grow even when the market returns. When you are retired and drawing on that, that is the fear that you'll have less. And you'll have less at a time when you need more, like for healthcare.

Then that means there'll be less left to grow even when the market returns. When you are retired and drawing on that, that is the fear that you'll have less. And you'll have less at a time when you need more, like for healthcare.