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"Many of my clients live in high-tax states. That is a frequent topic of conversation," said Adam Puff, president of Haddonfield Financial Planning in Haddonfield, New Jersey, in an email.

Puff said most of these clients plan to avoid those high-tax states in retirement.

"It is almost always a good idea and puts extra dollars into any retirement plan," he said. "Even if you need to stay in the area for family reasons, it may be as simple as moving to another county or just over the border to a neighboring state if it's close enough for the family involved."

“Some very astute clients do ask if they are taking on enough risk in their portfolio,” said Adam Puff, president and founder of Haddonfield Financial Planning. “Almost all retirees have a desire for safety, but some realize a bit of risk may still be required in retirement to meet or exceed their goals.”

People think the stock market is scary. The bond market is the true Wild West. The bond market is misunderstood — people think if they buy a bond mutual fund their investment is totally safe and that’s not how it actually works.

"I have been a financial advisor for 20 years, and in that time, I have only had one client live into their 90s," said Adam Puff, president and founder of Haddonfield Financial Planning in Haddonfield, New Jersey, in an email.

Although Puff said his client "is still alive and sharp as a tack at 94," he believes planning for a life expectancy of 95 is too high.

“Adam Puff, financial advisor and founder at Haddonfield Financial Planning, had two clients, a couple, that were about two years away from retirement. The couple had a financial plan that was a bit tight, but workable since they had roughly $1 million in investments.

For many decades, Puff said they had been buy-and-hold, patient investors. Everything changed the moment COVID-19 hit.

Every day for two weeks straight, Puff was on the phone with these clients. He said they wanted to liquidate everything after the market had dropped 30%.”

“You should have six months of expenses in your checking account,” said Adam Puff, president and founder of Haddonfield Financial Planning. “This is certainly more important when you are working and dependent on a paycheck.”

“Overall, index funds provide a straightforward and cost-effective way for investors to gain exposure to the broad market, offering diversification, consistent performance and long-term growth potential,” said Adam Puff, president and founder at Haddonfield Financial Planning in Haddonfield, New Jersey.”

“Make sure you’re paying for advice, not for a giant mahogany desk, marble floors, penthouse office, etc. The best advisors and ones that care often have very pedestrian offices because they are more focused on you than an image.”

“Paying off debt is important because it relieves financial stress, improves credit scores, and frees up money for saving and investing,” he said. “To pay off debt, focus on budgeting, reducing expenses and allocating extra cash to pay off any debt as soon as possible.”