Early Retirement Planning…Have Clear Goals

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By: Gary Pierce
Submitted February 18th 2010 & consists of 392 words.
Located in our collection of finances articles.

When you are doing early retirement planning, make sure you are not just retiring from work. You should be retiring to do something else…there is a big difference in the two statements.

It is easy to say I am going to do nothing when I retire. You will find if you do your retirement will be no different from work. Without firm, well thought out goals, you soon become bored and 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.

If you do not have clear goals you may end up as a couch potato. You realize that is not healthy… Everyone should have as a goal to remain retired for a long time.

Your lists need to be specific. Be honest with yourself. If you never want to rake leaves again, a big house and yard in the Midwest is not for you. If you want to sail year round San Diego may be better than Omaha.

A goal must be measurable to be effective. If you say I want to visit Yellowstone when I retire…say instead I will visit Yellowstone within 4 months of retiring. That is measurable, being vague is not.

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.

Do you need some prodding to get your retirement list building started? I have been retired 15 years, my two lists are 20 years old. Want to find out what I have done in regards to my list?

To find out what was on the writers lists for early retirement planning. If you are contemplating retirement, but do not think you can afford it you need frugal retirement living. Do not give up on retirement before visiting this site.

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Keywords: best retirement, early retirement planning, finance, Finances, Financial Planner, investing, lifestyles, Retirement, retirement calculator, retirement planning, retirement plans, senior living, where to retire

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<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC '-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.01 Transitional//EN' 'http://www.w3.org/TR/html4/loose.dtd'><html><head><title>Current Articles | Early Retirement Planning…Have Clear Goals</title></head><body><h3>Early Retirement Planning…Have Clear Goals</h3> By: Gary Pierce When you are doing early retirement planning, make sure you are not just retiring from work. You should be retiring to do something else...there is a big difference in the two statements. It is easy to say I am going to do nothing when I retire. You will find if you do your retirement will be no different from work. Without firm, well thought out goals, you soon become bored and 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. If you do not have clear goals you may end up as a couch potato. You realize that is not healthy... Everyone should have as a goal to remain retired for a long time. Your lists need to be specific. Be honest with yourself. If you never want to rake leaves again, a big house and yard in the Midwest is not for you. If you want to sail year round San Diego may be better than Omaha. A goal must be measurable to be effective. If you say I want to visit Yellowstone when I retire...say instead I will visit Yellowstone within 4 months of retiring. That is measurable, being vague is not. 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. Do you need some prodding to get your retirement list building started? I have been retired 15 years, my two lists are 20 years old. Want to find out what I have done in regards to my list? To find out what was on the writers lists for <a href="http://tinyurl.com/ygz8y9s">early retirement planning</a>. If you are contemplating retirement, but do not think you can afford it you need <a href="http://tinyurl.com/yhazfr9">frugal retirement living</a>. Do not give up on retirement before visiting this site. Article Courtesy of <a href='http://www.currentarticles.org'>Current Articles</a> 
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