When you’re cruising the open road, or when you’re stuck in traffic, there’s a good chance you’re listening to something. Maybe it’s your music, a podcast, someone talking to you on the phone, or maybe just some friendly conversation with your passengers. Now, next time you’re in your car, I want you to do yourself a favor… I want you to stop, get out, and check your tires. I also want you to check the back of your car for a tire jack, lug wrench, and spare tire. An under-inflated tire caused by a slow leak can be a dangerous issue if left unattended. And, getting stranded without the proper equipment isn’t much fun either.

Now I want you to think about what would happen if you’re out in the middle of nowhere and get a flat tire… The way that life goes, odds are the next time it happens, it’ll be on the way to the airport or an important business meeting. If you’ve got your tool kit ready, then in the worst-case scenario, changing out that tire could mean that you’ll arrive a little late. But, what if you get a flat and discover you have no tools and no spare? That could mean missing your trip or having to cancel your entire afternoon as you helplessly wait for the tow truck to arrive. The difference between these two scenarios comes down to one word: preparation.

Just one unexpected hitch in your plan like a flat tire, can throw off an entire day if you get caught being unprepared. Imagine what would happen if one unanticipated issue threw off your retirement plan or put your nest-egg in jeopardy. Being unprepared for changing market conditions can wreak havoc on your retirement plan, so it’s important to understand if you’re taking unnecessary risks with your portfolio. But just like with a flat tire, if you’re prepared, you won’t panic. You’ll know how to respond and keep your nest egg out of harm’s way. If you’re not prepared though, and you realize too late that you’ve made a big mistake, you could end up in a heap of trouble.

Don’t make that mistake. It’s better to go through life knowing that you’re the kind of person who is prepared for the occasional flat tire life throws your way. We aim to help our clients achieve their retirement goals with our comprehensive retirement planning process. If you want to learn how to be prepared and have your own comprehensive retirement plan, then click here to schedule SCHEDULE YOUR IN-PERSON/VIRTUAL REVIEW TODAY. We’ll assess your current financial situation and discuss how together we can create a retirement plan you can count on.

So in the end, don’t let something like a flat tire derail your retirement. And remember, with a little planning and preparation you’ll be ready for your big retirement road trip.