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A Recap of the "From Stem To Prosperity" workshop presented at the National Society of Black Engineers Professional Development Conference
What Went Down at NSBE
Hey, everyone! Deshawn Edwards here, Co-Founder of Investor's Playbook! A few weeks back, I had the honor of speaking at the NSBE Professional Development Conference. The room was buzzing, not just with tech advancements and career moves, but with something we don't talk about nearly enough in STEM fields: Retirement Planning! Yes that is correct, we dove into the taboo topic of money, and here is what went down.
A quick disclaimer before we get started, and if you ask the attendees they know how serious I take my disclaimer lol.
"The information provided in this blog post is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice, consultation, or planning."
Now that that is out the way, let's dig in!
speaking of Retirement...
Retirement isn't just about ending your nine-to-five grind; it's about entering a new phase of life where you have the freedom to explore, create, and enjoy the fruits of your labor. And let's be real—it's not just a vacation, it's a 20-30 year 'career' of its own that you need to fund. Getting this phase right could mean the difference between golden years of exploration or years filled with financial stress.
A Word on Generational Wealth
We then talked generational wealth. Most of us didn't grow up with trust funds. Retirement planning isn't just about us; it's about the kids, the grandkids, and the communities we belong to. At the workshop, we got real about the responsibility and the opportunity we have to make financially savvy decisions today that will benefit generations to come.
The 411 on 401(k)s
First off, if your company's offering a 401(k) match and you're not on it, you're missing out. This is literally free money! At the workshop, we broke down the numbers and showed how even a small contribution from your end could balloon into something substantial 30 years down the line.
Roth IRAs: The Hidden Gem
We also touched on Roth IRAs, a retirement investment tool that you pay taxes on upfront so you can enjoy those withdrawals tax-free later on. I cannot stress enough how beneficial this can be, especially for those of you in higher tax brackets.
Cracking Open the Retirement Calculator
One of the highlights of the workshop was our deep dive into a retirement calculator. This nifty tool provided a reality check for many. By inputting some basic financial info, like your current savings, age, and projected retirement age, the calculator spits out what you'll need to live comfortably in retirement. Trust me, this is an eye-opener and an invaluable tool in financial planning.
The Biggest Takeaway
If there's one thing you should walk away with after reading this, it's the urgency to start now. Like, right now. Time is of the essence and the earlier you start, the more you benefit from compounding interest. Think of it as your money working for you while you sleep. Who doesn't want that?
Wrapping it Up
So let's get to it! Create a game plan for an abundant retirement that allows you not just to survive but to thrive. And who knows, with some smart plays, your legacy might just become a playbook for future generations to follow.
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Wow this is helpful information! And I didn’t know y’all have a blog—this is great! Looking forward to more great info. Thank you!