Ask Kim

Dear Kim,  I’m in my late 40s, and I’m helping my aging parents while still raising my own kids. Somewhere along the way, saving for retirement took a backseat. How do I find balance when I feel pulled in every direction? Sincerely, … Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’ve been a stay-at-home parent for 10 years, and now that my kids are older, I’m heading back to work full-time. My spouse has savings for both of us, but I want to have something in my own name. Where… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My mother passed away last year, and my portion of the inheritance was significant. It’s more money than I’ve ever had at once, and I’m overwhelmed by it. How can I be a good steward of my mother’s gift? Sincerely, … Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’m 55 and honestly haven’t saved nearly enough for retirement. I’ve been playing catch-up for a few years, but I still feel behind. Is it realistic to think I can retire comfortably by 67, and what should I be prioritizing… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My husband and I have saved well for retirement, but now that we’re getting close, I’m terrified of actually spending the money. How do I know how much I can safely withdraw each year without running out? Sincerely,  Scared to… Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’m retiring next year, and I’m lucky enough to have a pension through my employer. They’re giving me the choice between a monthly pension payment or a lump sum payout. How do I even begin to figure out which one… Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’m 63 and thinking about cutting back to part-time work in the next year or two instead of retiring all at once. Is that a smart move financially, or does it create more complications than it’s worth? Sincerely,  Potential Part… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My husband and I have two kids: one starting high school and one in middle school. We’ve been so focused on paying our own bills and managing day-to-day expenses that we haven’t saved anything for their college. Now it feels… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My spouse and I are both 32, and we just finished paying off our student loans. We finally have some breathing room in our budget. Everyone says we should be investing, but we don’t know where to start. Should we… Read more »

Dear Kim,  My husband was diagnosed with a chronic illness that may limit his ability to work long-term. We’re both in our early 50s, and I’m worried about how we’ll manage if he can’t return to his job full-time. What should we… Read more »

Dear Kim,  I’m 38 and was recently laid off from a job I’d been at for 10 years. I have about four months of expenses saved, but I’m terrified of burning through it while I look for work. Should I cash out… Read more »

Dear Kim,  In my marriage, my career has always come in second place since we moved a lot for my husband’s job. I haven’t been able to save much money because of this. We are having a hard time, and divorce might… Read more »