Living Below Your Means Doesn't Stop When You Retire

A listing of a the best places to retire for $30,000 a year. 

Young Chinese Don't Want to Work in Factories

There will likely be growing pains for China and more expensive iPhones for all, but we hope they succeed.  As Martha says, "It's a good thing."

Social Security: Don't Say You Haven't Been Warned

10 Things Social Security Won't Tell You.  Basically, try not to rely on Social Security.  Think of it more as a perk.

Small Boosts to Your Retirement Plan Has Huge Benefits

After most people pay off their debt, they use their extra money to improve their quality of life, i.e, start spending it.  What if you didn't do that?  What if you put at least half of that towards your company sponsored retirement plan, Tradition IRA or Roth IRA.  The benefits are huge if you contribute this extra money regularly.  Take a look.

How Much Do You Need to Save for Retirement?

The keys to saving for retirement are, 1) start early, 2) save consistently and 3) monitor your savings rate and adjust accordingly.

Maybe It’s Time to Start Taking Care of Ourselves

Over the past several years there has been a lot of talk about the dire situation that Medicare and Social Security are in and what the impact will be on those of us in our forties, thirties and twenties. We will be left without a security net, without the protection of government funded health care when we are elderly.  Oh what will we ever do? What will happen to us? How shall we survive?

I guess I have to say that maybe this is a good thing. Maybe it is time to take away the “safety net,” that has become a crutch.

One of the defining principles of Debt Free Living is Planning Ahead, and we are not just talking about the weekend or next month, or even this year’s vacation. Planning means being ready for all future events, be that a lay off or retirement. Being ready for our future means that we do not have to rely on anyone to take care of us, whether that be in our old age or in our times of ill health. True it is nice to know that if I were to become disabled tomorrow I would have something to fall back on for tomorrow, but why not plan ahead for myself.

There are a number of ways to plan ahead for retirement and for health concerns. We can invest in IRAs and 401k accounts as well as HAS and flexible spending accounts. Being ready for tomorrow is a true sign of someone who is Money Conscious.

Medicare, Social Security Will Go Bust Sooner: Report