Personal finance advisor Peter Dunn, aka Pete the Planner, says that proper financial planning does not require additional work: It requires timelier work. We all know that procrastination is the enemy of a comfortable retirement.
Start thinking about a realistic retirement savings plan now. And while you’re thinking, look at one of these well-reviewed books on the topic.
Start thinking about a realistic retirement savings plan now. And while you’re thinking, look at one of these well-reviewed books on the topic.
1 THE BOOK An Uncommon Guide to Retirement: Finding God's Purpose for the Next Season of Life Jeff Haanen THE WHY Because retirement should be fruitful and fulfilling. THE AMAZON SUMMARY Jeff Haanen explores how to retire in a way that’s God-honoring, purpose-filled, restful, and truly biblical. And teaches you how to:
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2 THE BOOK How to Make Your Money Last: The Indispensable Retirement Guide Jane Bryant Quinn THE WHY Because reviewers call this one a “must-read.” THE AMAZON SUMMARY Jane says we need to answer major questions before we retire:
Be sure to pick up the latest edition. It’s been updated to reflect changes in tax legislation, health insurance, and new investment realities. |
3 THE BOOK What Your Dad Never Taught You About Budgeting Peter Dunn THE WHY Because budgeting is the first step toward secure retirement. THE AMAZON SUMMARY Pete the Planner teaches some old school money lessons with a modern and easy-to-understand comic twist. From the book: The art of living on a budget sometimes gets a bad rap. It’s often confused with penny-pinching and can seem very limiting. But no matter on which side of the budgeting table you sit, you need to throw out any negative associations you have with the word budget — thrift, economy, scraping, penury — and replace those loaded concepts with three new ones: awareness, communication, and accountability. |
4 THE BOOK The Number: What Do You Need for the Rest of Your Life and What Will It Cost? Lee Eisenberg THE WHY Because if you don’t know the number, you may not retire with enough income. THE AMAZON SUMMARY Are you working toward financial independence during retirement? This book will help you create a goal "number." That is the amount of money you need to start with, in order to live off your passive investment income. Even if your number feels large, it can give you a concrete thing to aim for with your savings efforts. |
5 THE BOOK How to Retire with Enough Money Teresa Ghilarducci THE WHY Because this quick read can change the course of your retirement. THE AMAZON SUMMARY Written by Dr. Teresa Ghilarducci, an economics professor and retirement and savings specialist, this short book cuts through the confusion, misinformation, and bad policy-making that keeps us spending or saving poorly. It begins with acknowledging what a household actually needs to have saved, and how much to expect from Social Security. Then it delivers basic principles that will make the money grow, including a dozen good ideas to get current expenses under control. |