Sara at One Pacific Financial Strategies

Thinking about opening a Roth IRA but not sure where to start? Or maybe you already have one and aren’t sure if your investments are set up the way they should be.

I’m happy to answer questions and help you understand your options—whether you’re opening your first Roth IRA or reviewing an existing one.

Feel free to email me at [email protected] if you’d like to learn more.

Insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all. The right policy depends on your goals, budget, and the people you’re protecting. If you’re not sure where to start, I’m happy to help you compare your options.

A successful investment strategy isn’t just about what you do—it’s also about what you avoid.

These are some of the most common investing mistakes I see, and many are preventable with a thoughtful financial plan.

If you’re not sure whether your investment strategy is aligned with your goals, feel free to reach out.

This post is for educational purposes only and is not individualized investment advice.

Retirement is about more than just saving money. Small mistakes today can have a big impact on your future.

Swipe through for 10 common retirement planning mistakes—and see if any surprise you.

Which one do you think people overlook the most?

10 Mistakes People Make Before Retiring

Retirement isn’t just about having a certain dollar amount saved. Avoiding these common mistakes can make a big difference.

1. Underestimating how much they’ll spend.
Many people assume expenses automatically decrease in retirement, but healthcare, travel, hobbies, and inflation can keep costs higher than expected.

2. Claiming Social Security without a strategy.
The best age to claim depends on your health, life expectancy, income needs, and whether you’re married.

3. Ignoring taxes.
Traditional retirement accounts, Roth accounts, taxable investments, and Social Security can all be taxed differently. Where you withdraw money from can matter just as much as how much you withdraw.

4. Waiting too long to think about Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
Large pre-tax retirement accounts can create significant taxable income later in retirement if you don’t plan ahead.

5. Not having enough cash set aside.
Having a cash reserve can help avoid selling investments during a market downturn.

6. Underestimating healthcare costs.
Medicare doesn’t cover everything, and long-term care expenses can have a major impact on retirement savings.

7. Keeping the same investment strategy they had at age 35.
Your portfolio should reflect your goals, time horizon, income needs, and risk tolerance—not just your age.

8. Forgetting to review beneficiary designations and estate documents.
Retirement planning and estate planning go hand in hand.

9. Carrying unnecessary debt into retirement.
High-interest debt can reduce financial flexibility and increase stress.

10. Focusing only on investments instead of having a comprehensive financial plan.
Investments are important, but retirement also involves taxes, income planning, insurance, estate planning, healthcare, and making sure all the pieces work together.

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Every situation is different, which is why retirement planning isn’t one-size-fits-all.

What is a 529 savings plan?

A 529 savings plan is a tax-advantaged investment account designed to help save for education expenses.

Here are the basics:

* Contributions are made with after-tax dollars (there’s no federal tax deduction).
* The money grows tax-deferred.
* Qualified withdrawals are tax-free at the federal level and, in most cases, at the state level.

Qualified education expenses can include:

* College tuition and fees
* Room and board (if enrolled at least half-time)
* Books, supplies, and required equipment
* Computers and internet access used for school
* Up to $10,000 per year for K–12 tuition
* Many apprenticeship program expenses
* Up to $10,000 lifetime toward qualifying student loan repayment (subject to certain rules)

Need life insurance but not sure which policy—or which company—is right for you?

I’m here to help you compare your options and make the process simple.

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2026 IRA income and contribution limits