Accelerate Retirement: Skip 3 Leading Stages, Unlock the Long-Term Power of Equities, Southwest’s Companion Pass

The Five Stages of Retirement (and How to Skip Three of Them) | Nine Steps You Can Take Right Now to Build a More Financially Stable Future | Amazon to Replace Walgreens in the Dow: Why This Matters Created for {EMAIL} | [Web Version]( February 23, 2024 CONNECT WITH KIPLINGER  [LinkedIn]( [Facebook]( [X]( [Youtube]( [Instagram]( [SIGN UP]( ⋅ [WEBSITE]( [] Top Story [] [The Five Stages of Retirement (and How to Skip Three of Them)]( [The Five Stages of Retirement (and How to Skip Three of Them)]( (Getty Images) Getting the first step wrong inevitably means you’ll go through stages three through five. [Get step one right](, and it’s a two-step process, writes financial expert Richard Himmer. [] Smart Financial Planning [] [Nine Steps You Can Take Right Now to Build a More Financially Stable Future]( [Nine Steps You Can Take Right Now to Build a More Financially Stable Future]( (Getty Images) Whether you have unexpected expenses, spend above your means, or feel like you’re behind on retirement savings, the key to finding stability is intention. To help with this, the financial and investment experts of Kiplinger Advisor Collective [walk through each action anyone can take right now]( to start building a more financially stable future and why doing so is key to living the life you want. [7 Mistakes to Avoid When Hiring an Advisor]( Working with a financial advisor can be a crucial part of retirement planning. But choosing the wrong one can wreak havoc on your investments. Here are 7 common mistakes to avoid when hiring a financial advisor so you can work towards a more comfortable retirement. [LEARN MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT [] In Case You Missed It [] [Amazon to Replace Walgreens in the Dow: Why This Matters]( [Amazon to Replace Walgreens in the Dow: Why This Matters]( (Getty Images) The Dow Jones Industrial Average hasn't had a change like this in almost four years. Amazon joins the elite club of Dow Jones stocks, while troubled Walgreens gets the boot. What caused this makeover? [Find out here](. [] Student Loans [] [529s: No Longer the Ho-Hum Investing Device for College]( [529s: No Longer the Ho-Hum Investing Device for College]( (Getty Images) 529 plans are tax-advantaged savings plans to help pay for education. Originally, they were designed for post-secondary education costs, but they’ve now expanded to include K-12. Recent legislation has enabled the savings to be rolled into a Roth IRA, as long as certain criteria are met. [To help understand the new rules, financial expert Neale Godfrey breaks down each one](. 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[CLICK HERE]( [] Wealth Creation [] [To Make the Case for Equities in the Long Term, Look to the Past]( While cash yields are attractive now, if we look at the performance of equities in the past, we can expect that, going forward, they could be a better bet, explains financial planner David Blanchett. [Read More]( [] Vote! [] [Have Your Say in the Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards 2024]( The Kiplinger Readers' Choice Awards celebrate the best personal finance products and services, from advisors to banks to credit cards. Cast your vote now to elevate personal finance standouts that have delivered excellent value for our readers in the past year. [Vote Here]( [Is your money working hard enough?]( It should be! Learn how Betterment's automated investing and savings technology can make your money hustle, while you don't. [LEARN MORE]( ADVERTISEMENT ABOUT KIPLINGER When we write about money, we get it right. So the decisions you make with your dollars are also right. 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