Saving a ton of money for your retirement is generally not an easy task.  Even if you have taken the time to put together a retirement planning guide it’s often too little and too late.

For most people retiring to a hefty nest egg is more of an afterthought than it is a well thought out plan.  Rather than getting all discouraged and having endless sleepless nights why don’t you simply think about changing your strategy?  What are you talking about Willis?

Instead of trying to save a lot of money for retirement and failing why don’t you instead reduce your expenses post retirement? The more you can reduce your expenses the less money you will need to have in a savings and investments account. Read the rest of this entry

Every person nearing retirement has a different idea of what it means to retire comfortably. A retirement planning guide is essential for all workers. You might plan on trekking around the globe, or retiring to your dream home in a faraway place, or lounging around in a tropical location.

To even have a chance of experiencing these romantic settings you have to be practical early on. If you fail to start saving and investing early your chances of relaxing comfortably in your golden years are a long shot.

Failing to plan is a definite plan for failure. It you really have a desire to live abroad or retire to that vacation home planning ahead is essential so you won’t have to worry about finances.

Let’s be honest, you’re social security and pension if you have one will not be enough for what you’ll need for retirement. You’ve got to have a solid financial plan if you if want to successfully fund your retirement. You’ll need about 70% of your income before retirement to continue to live the kind of lifestyle that you have now. Read the rest of this entry

This is not some paint-by-the-numbers retirement planning guide to reducing debt or some elaborate debt elimination plan.  Rather, it is compilation of some wisdom that we have gathered over the years that have worked for us.  As you read through the short list pick out something that might work for you and put it into practice.  Nothing ventured is nothing gained.  Believe us when we say you’re going to want as little debt the nearer you get to retirement and there’s no better time than to start right now.

5 Tips to end get rid of debt before you reach retirement age:

Tip #1- Quit adding more debt. I know this should be a no-brainer but you’d be surprise how many people payoff or pay down their debt only to run it up again.  Let’s say you’ve got a hill of dirt in your back yard, which we’ll say, represents debt.   Your mission is to get rid of the dirt, which we’ve established is debt.  Ok so the hill of dirt or debt is now gone, would you now go back build another dirt pile?  Doesn’t make much sense does it?  Well, the same thing applies to your debt so stop it.

Tip #2- Engage in industrious activities. An idle mind is shopper’s nightmare and a retailers dream.  If you engage in impulse and emotional buying you are bound to buy things that you really don’t need.  If you spend countless hours in front of the television one of those infomercials is going to get you.  Instead go to a half-day workshop to learn how to get better returns on your money.  This is your future we’re talking about here so educate yourself on something that can pay you dividends well into the future. Read the rest of this entry