Only one-forth of Canadians think of Realistic Retirement

A recent RBC poll through Ipsos Reid concluded that most Canadians believe they will have enough money in their retirement years to cover necessities, while only one-forth of Canadians think they’ll be living their dream golden years. Having enough money is a concern for 49% of people who have yet to retire as they feel they will not be able to provide anything above necessities. With a recent study of how so many retirees are doing so in the red, this is a legitimate concern for most people. Even people in their late 50’s are still mismanaging their money by overspending, making poor investment choices or ending up with unexpected financial health issues that have dampened their ability to save for the future.

The poll also found that approximately 75% of those people didn’t know how much money they had spent during their first year of retirement which makes saving and planning tough. It is mandatory to keep track of your spending habit, your essential expenses and your lifestyle in general to be able to plan properly. It’s all about moderation and keeping track of all spending, ensuring your nest egg is going to last as long as you do. However, the 25% of polled participants who did know how much they spent claimed their first year of 2009 retirement cost, on average, $35,000, which is down significantly from the $51,000 in 2008. The recession has definitely taught people to cut corners and eliminate expenses where they can. This type of expenditure will assure your retirement savings will get you through. But still, more than half of the retirees said they spent more than expected.

So, the big question now is how much money will you need? Well, the amount of retirement money depends a lot on how you will spend your time. Things like traveling, will you rent own your dwelling, completing unfinished loan payments, incurring auto expenses, health care insurance, contributing to an education and a nest egg of emergency funds are all things to consider when factoring in retirement expenses. Retirement is not just a single phase of life and financial planning is more than just number crunching. With so many Canadians underestimating the amount of money they will need, a personalized financial plan can look at your options.

Retirement does not have to be complicated, nor does it have to seem impossible. Discussing your needs with a financial planner can be a great way to get you on the road to financial freedom. If you currently suffer from bad credit and do not feel a traditional bank is an option for you, there are many private lending institutions that specialize in providing bad credit loans. With a little research, you could find a lender that will help you to realize your retirement goals.