How to Ride the Rapids Towards Retirement

Working towards retirement can feel like rafting a river full of dangerous rapids. As you flow down the river of your life, your constantly having to navigate events that threaten to turn your life upside down. Unemployment, death, divorce, college costs, healthcare, recessions, corrections, inflation and countless others can put you on the rocks. This week, I discuss how to "self rescue" if the rapids of life put you into the water.INVEST WISELY  The Folklore of Finance: Beliefs That Contribute to Investors’ FailureLast week I read article in the New York Times discussing the release of a study by the State Street Center for Applied Research. It's titled:The Folklore of Finance: Beliefs That Contribute to Investors’ FailureThe 2 year study tried to answer the question: "What does true investment success look like?"Interestingly, according to the article, instead,  they found "that the way individual and professional investors made investment decisions was so skewed that achieving both high returns and long-term objectives was nearly impossible."In the Podcast I discuss some of their findings, includingOverconfident in abilitiesUnable to stay focused on long term objectivesShort term noiseInvestors want to invest with a long time horizon yet react to short-term swings that derail the strategyCome to distrust their advisorsFocus on the noiseFocus on short term resultsA Culture of “beating the markets”The study found that financial services firms spent 60 percent of their capital expenditures on resources to help generate short-term high performance. 60 Percent!! As a veteran of a major financial firm, I can attest that the value proposition of most major firs is that they can predict markets and guide you through them. I've always found this funny...having a value proposition based on predicting the future.Better, I think, to accept the uncertainties of the world, have a prudent process and focus having lots of little conversations so you can adjust as life unfolds. PLAN WELL   How to Ride the Rapids Towards Retirement If you've every been on  a rafting trip you're probably familiar with the term "self rescue". How to self rescue is a talk given by your rafting guide before you venture onto the river. The Guide makes it very clear. If you get thrown into the what, do NOT wait to be rescued. It is YOUR responsibility to rescue yourself.Self rescue involve 4 steps that you can use to rescue your financial future:Get to the SurfaceStabilize your cash flowSelf assess your financial health (skills, assets, debts)Clearly define your 1 year objectiveTake a deep breath (you may be pulled down again)Build some cash reservescreate margin in your cash flow (increase income/cut expenses)Float down riverTake a little time to reflect.Set clear 1, 3, and 5 years objectivesIdentify initial action stepsStart to SwimLearn from others Seek out fellow travelers that you can emulateLearn from online resources and booksFind a guide to help you navigate the rapidsBeing thrown into the rapids by life can be scary. It's okay. You can self rescue. I know you can. What Rapid Are You Most Afraid of? Tweet to @roger_whitney