Early Retirement Planning, The Key Is The Plan

By Gary Pierce

Planning early retirement? Some want to retire just to get away from a job they dislike. Be careful if this is you. You need to focus on retiring to something not away from your current situation.

Never say, when asked what you will do when you retire,..." I am going to do nothing". Without clear-cut retirement goals, you will soon be bored with retirement. Without goals you will become frustrated.

I suggest making up two lists. Make sure your spouse does the same...two lists. One will be of things you never want to do again...the other what you want to do in retirement. The first list may refer to no more shoveling snow...the second might be to lower your golf handicap ( be specific, how much lower). Why should both of you make lists? It is much better to discover the differences in what you both want now than later. You may be greatly surprised by the two lists.

Don't retire to watching soap operas. The couch is no place to be retired for a long time. You know it is unhealthy. You want to be able to retire for many years. Staying healthy, should be on everyone's list.

Be specific and honest with yourself when making out your lists. It will help to narrow your focus on where and what to do in retirement. If you want to lie on the beach Alaska is not for you. If you want to have fresh elk meat Florida is not your ideal retirement spot.

The more focused and clear your goals are the better. For instance learning to speak French as a goal is too broad. Instead stay I will be able to speak passable French 6 months after I retire. Then it is OK to go buy the language software.

Early retirement planning usually focuses on money. If you focus solely on money you will not enjoy retirement. Your financial planner is a specialist in the money side of retirement, it is up to you to define what you are retiring to.

I made my list of goals and never agains twenty years ago...I have been retired for fifteen years. Want to see how I did? - 29971

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