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24 | | Summer 2017 24 | | Summer 2017 Summer 2017 Big purchases in retirement They may not work for a living, but retirees can still buy big-ticket items such as boats, recreational vehicles and even second homes. Chicago investment advisor Scott Tucker advises against using a mortgage or similar long-term loan to do it, however. "That's going to be a burden in retirement," he warns. Using cash from tax-deferred accounts is also questionable. "If you take $100,000 out of your IRA, it'll push you into a higher bracket," Tucker notes. Instead, consider tapping a Roth IRA or similar tax-free account. And it is possible to be overly frugal in retirement. After you've been saving for your entire career, it can seem reckless to spend any of your hard- earned stash. However, ideally, retirement is a time to be enjoyed, not just endured. So it's generally a good idea to allow for a little self-indulgence in your budget and investing strategy. One approach is to use a bucket strategy, placing a portion of your retirement portfolio into cash to cover contingencies, a portion into a guaranteed annuity or other fi xed- income vehicle to cover living expenses and leaving another portion in stocks to provide some opportunity for growth. This approach can supply security and safety along with an opportunity to enhance both wealth and enjoyment after a working career is over. For more details on retirement, investing and insurance, read about the services offered by the Flagship Financial Group on Page 43. American Airlines Credit Union