Have an empty nest and an equally empty nest egg?
"Education expenses often dominate everything, and once that goes away, the key is knowing what the gap is and knowing the plan for what to do with that money," said Levi Brandriss, an advisor with Ameriprise Financial in Bethesda, Maryland.
Refocusing on their own savings is something boomers appear to have trouble doing.
Researchers at the Boston College Center for Retirement Research estimated that couples who have two children and make $100,000 a year should be able to save an extra 12 percent for retirement once they are empty nesters.
In reality, that same study found that families said they were only able to bump up their savings by less than 1 percent.
Sound familiar? Then here's what you need to do to get your nest egg back on track.
Declare a financial blackout
Mark LaSpisa, president of Vermillion Financial Advisors in South Barrington, Ill., suggests instituting a blackout period for making financial decisions.
"The temptation is too big to start celebrating and to start spending money, buying that brand new car you have sought for years, going on that month-long European vacation or doing a home addition," he said.
For six to 12 months don't make any changes or big-ticket purchases, which should give you time to think about your goals for this next big phase of life, he said.
Stockpile cash
Focus on building up a cash reserve, especially if it was depleted while you paid those college tuition or other bills.
Brandriss recommends his clients save enough to cover monthly expenses for up to two years.
"The key reason for having a few years of cash on hand is that you can handle an above-average market downturn," he said. That cushion will allow you to retire when you want, Brandriss said.
Don't downsize the house, trim insurance instead
Once the kids are gone, it's a natural reaction to want to exchange your house for a smaller one.
Brandriss advises against acting on that impulse.
"The costs of buying and selling a home, only to do it again during retirement, may cost you more money," he said.
Instead, review your insurance coverage and look for places to save. If you had children on your auto insurance, remove them. If you had an umbrella policy or are paying a big premium for a multimillion-dollar life insurance plan, you may not need it if your kids are gone and your house is mostly paid off.
Once you shore up your finances, it's time to start planning for the freedom and fun that come with that empty nest.
More from Retire Well:
How to ask for a flexible retirement
Downsizing your life can eliminate clutter and free up some cash
Using the 'new kid on the block' to save for retirement
