A question we are often asked is, “What should we be doing before we retire?” One of the most important things to do is to start practicing retirement now. Too many people enter retirement unprepared. Don’t let that be you. Here are the top five must reads to help you start practicing your retirement:
- Power of Zero by David McKnight—Too many Americans are retiring with a ticking tax bomb. Years of accumulating assets in their 401(k) has a hidden surprise lurking…and boy, is it ugly. Taxes can eat your retirement alive, but they don’t have to. David McKnight’s book presents just one way it is possible to not pay taxes in retirement.
- How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free by Ernie J. Zelinski— You shouldn’t be a slave to your money—now or in retirement. Our tag line is Helping people live Life on Purpose™ for a reason. Your money should simply be a tool to serve you and your goals. This book is a must read to help you put retirement and your relationship to your money in the right perspective.
- Don’t Believe Everything You Think by Steve Luckenbach—Although this book was written with financial advisors as the intended audience, we believe everyone should read it. There are many unchartered waters ahead of you when you enter retirement and the deadliest weapon you have is….YOU. “You” can be instrumental in either your success or your demise, and this book explains why.
- Affluent for Life by Ted Ridlehuber—This is one of my favorite books to give to the families we work with. There is no better description for this book than the words the author uses to describe it….”a straightforward resource to provide you with essential strategies to expand and protect your net worth.”
- Oh, the Places You’ll Go! by Dr. Seuss—The most dangerous thing you can do when you retire is retire. Don’t just retire from something. Have something to retire to. This book isn’t just a children’s book. It is a good reminder that no matter where we are in life to live it to its fullest!
There were a few more that didn’t quite make the top five, but we would be remiss if we didn’t mention them:
Relationship and Marriage
- The Couple’s Retirement Puzzle by Roberta Taylor and Dorian Mintzer
- The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Living Life on Purpose
- The New Retirementality by Mitch Anthony
- 101 Fun Things to do in Retirement by Stella Reingold
Social Security and Medicare
- Get What’s Yours by Laurence Kotlikoff, Philip Moeller and Paul Solman
- Get What’s Yours for Medicare by Philip Moeller
Happy reading!