08 Feb 10 Retirement…How Much Money Do I Need?

How much will I need to retire? Many pose this question to themselves...it is the wrong question to ask.

A better question to ask might be...how much longer can I afford to wait? As we are accumulating more and more, we are getting older. No surprise here.

Retirement planning that focuses solely on money...is not the smartest thing for you to do. Why? Because as we age we are less able to do the things we did when we were younger. Not shocking news I am sure.

If you think I am referring to sex...you are partly right, but there is more. We all develop ailments, aches etc as we age it is a fact of life. Despite our efforts on the stairmaster it is a fact. You slow down as you age. Think about it when you plan for retirement.

As an example let's say you want to play a lot of golf when you retire. Great, sounds like a plan. Now ask yourself how much further do you hit the ball now, than 10 years ago...equipment improvements aside? See what I mean?

If golf, or any activity you enjoy, is your reason for wanting to retire...why wait while you age and can enjoy it less?

How much money to retire? I heard this from friends as I prepared to retire 15 years ago when I retired at 49. The good friends that asked me that question are currently still working, some wealthy, but most in poor health.

There is no answer to that question, how much money to retire? What I am positive of is that 15 years later I would not look forward to having to do certain things I did then. We first retired in 1994 to a sailboat...in the Caribbean. Occasionally, I would have to go up the mast 52 feet above deck. Now, at 64, I do not think I would do such a thing.

If you have seen your investment portfolio tank...mine sure has...it is not the end of the world. The key is to explore ways to retire that do not cost as much as you think you need. Then retire early while you can enjoy yourselves. Here is how we did it.

Here is how found the answer to how much money to retire? Here is information on the various frugal retirement living lifestyles we have enjoyed for 15 years. Do not quit on retirement, visit this site.

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