Reviews (7)

Excellent bookfor a more realistic approach towards savings and retirement.
In some ways this book is like the other books out there: work hard, save money, let it compound. However, he does preach something that no other book I have read teaches. Most people say you save all your life and then you retire, and that is where they end their story. They focus on all the ways to save up enough money to retire and live off the interest. However, for most people that is impractical, and impossible for some. This book on the other hand gives you a good way to think about how to deal with your money in stages, and realize that retirement is not the end of your investing. Easy read, lots of good info, not too many stats to bog you down. Overall, very glad I read it.

Recommended to the informed and uninformed
Recommended even to other CPA, financial planers, and insurance agents.Ray's personality shoots through the pages make it a "Fun" book to read.I can't believe I used the work fun, but it is appropriate.Helpful illustrations allow those negligent in retirement planning to understand the importance of "Bucketizing" (read the book).If you enjoy his radio show you will find the book beneficial as well.

A Must Read
I first became aware of Mr. Lucia and his "BrainTrust" (Rick Plum, Rob Butterfield, Jr., and John Dean) when his long-running (14 year) San Diego-based radio show went national and became syndicated with Business Talk Radio at the end of 2000; I thank the day I stumbled upon this sage.The show has become increasingly popular and now airs in around 60 markets.Once limited to the greater San Diego area, this show is now educating people all across the country.This book continues the process of finally bringing Ray Lucia to an even broader audience. Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - Retirement    2. Business & Economics    3. Consumer Finance    4. Decision making    5. Finance, Personal    6. Investments    7. Personal Finance    8. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    9. Personal Finance - General    10. Planning    11. Retirement Plans    12. Retirement income    13. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    14. Retirement   

Reviews (15)

Be aware of duplicate material
This book is an entertaining read but there are large chunks of word by word identical passages with his other book "The Joy of Not Working". One book is a good read, reading both feels repetitive. Since this is the newer of the two, its the one I would recommend.

Great Book with Teeth
Am working my way through this book ~ highly recommended!
The best!
I purchased and borrowed several retirement guides in the months just prior to retiring.As I read the other books, I kept returning to How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free for the author's good, down to earth suggestions.Most of the other books focus on finances and second careers after retirement.While both of these subjects are important issues, they are not the only concerns you have as you prepare for that big step into the future.How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free covers it all.Those worries you may have about what to do after retiring -- this book has lots of great, affordable suggestions for you. Taking care of yourself, continued learning and travel are all addressed. You will not be a bored retiree.Also enjoyable are the readers' letters to the author that are interspersed throughout the book.Ernie Zelinski's upbeat book is highly recommended as you prepare for that next important chapter in your life.With this book in hand, you will be ready to enjoy your retirement years to their fullest! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - Retirement    2. Consumer Finance    3. Early retirement    4. Gerontology    5. Leisure    6. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    7. Retirement    8. Self-Help    9. Social Science    10. Sociology - General    11. Sociology Of Leisure   

Reviews (31)

Bought it, read it, loved it
Comprehensive but specific, easy to read, full of good ideas, practical advice, and stories to illustrate points.A gem of a book!

Best Book on Retirement
I felt compelled to submit this review after reading the comment about the book having too much info.Indeed, that is the exact thing I thought was best about the book - the authors obviously are very familiar with all that is our there on retirement and condensed (at almost 500 pages, it's hard to say "condensed"!)it into one excellent book. It has saved me both time and money. The websites, checksheets, and specific recommendations with honest appraisals of places to consider for relocation are invaluable. The chapters on finances and tax are also outstanding (I have a business background), and the info about psychology, health, working, and travel contribute to make it a comprehensive book.
The book is so comprehensive it's superficial

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Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Aging - Retirement    3. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    4. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    5. Planning    6. Retirement    7. Self-Help    8. United States    9. Reference / Personal & Practical Guides   

Reviews (17)

A wealth of facts and figures for retirement wannabes
In the growing field of books offering suggested places to live or retire, RETIREMENT PLACES RATED is one of the few to base its findings entirely on statistics rather than opinion. David Savageau, the author, has authored prior editions of this book as well as the popular PLACES RATED ALMANAC.Feeding into the statistics here come metrics on each of 203 locations from six specific areas:Ambiance (by which the author means largely historic charm and outdoor recreation), Costs of Living, Climate, Personal Safety, Services (availability of medical services, for example) and The Economy.We're also given a useful Appendix with Chamber of Commerce addresses, income-tax information, and the like.
Reader Beware!
Save your valuable time and steer clear of this train wreck!Worse yet, you could be making the biggest mistake of your life if you make an important decision based on Retirement Places Rated.
Retirement Places Rated.David Savageau
Apart from its main function as indicated in the title, the book provides a very good source of information about our Land.
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Subjects:  1. Aging - Retirement    2. Gerontology    3. Housing (Economic Aspects)    4. Social Science    5. Sociology    6. Sociology - General    7. Travel - United States    8. United States - General    9. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    10. Travel / General   

Reviews (12)

A must read for those entering their 3rd age or their retirement zone
I found this book to be a concise, easy to read book about the joys and opportunities to be found in this stage of our life. Howard and Marika explore topics that a near and dear to us, that we must pay attention to if we wish to make this journey look like what we have always hoped for. Sometimes we all need a map to get us where we want to be!

A Purpose-Filled Life
The book, Too Young to Retire, as well as the Stone's web site and book study groups, is their effort to teach people how to live a life filled with purpose, rather than the emptiness of so many retirees' lives.
Save Your Money and Skip This One
Unless you are a far-left political idealist; "open-minded," as Mr. and Mrs. Stone say, their book offers little useful information for retirees. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Aging - Retirement    3. Careers - General    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Finance, Personal    6. Occupations    7. Personal Growth - General    8. Retirement    9. Self-Help    10. Self-actualization (Psychology    11. Self-actualization (Psychology) in middle age    12. Self-actualization (Psychology) in old age    13. Social Gerontology    14. Self-Help / Aging   

Reviews (45)

I would have preferred giving 3.5 stars...
Since there's no option to give half stars, I opted to give Ernie the benefit of the doubt and go up one star.
The True Test of Character- Live Free or Die!
The essence of this book is attitude adjustment. Most people tune out when they hear "attitude adjustment" because of the way that it usually misused in North American society. It is usually misused by managers that want you to accept a rotten situation and "adjust" to being an obedient and cheerful slave. When Zelinski uses it, he means that you need to realise that the situation is rotten and that you need to free your mind- and realise that there are options and you don't have to be a slave. It is all about realising that wage slavery isn't the norm, nor the only option. In fact, I realised that I probably would go farther than the author when it comes to taking chances. He states that short of certain death you should take the leap- I have come to believe that you cannot even take death into account. You need to say, live or die, I'm going to live free.
Good on yer, Ernie!
Some books you lend to others;this one you don't. Keep it on your shelf as a ready antidote to what many of us chose as a normal lifestyle. Too much work, too much TV, too little exercise, too much junk. About 25 years ago, physical education students in an Australian university were warned to prepare for the future when people would have almost too much leisure time. Oops, what happened? Consumerism and "habitually striving for more and bigger stuff". On average, our standard of living is triple that of 1950 ... are we happy yet?
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Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Aging - Retirement    3. Early retirement    4. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    5. Gerontology    6. Labor    7. Leisure    8. Personal Growth - Happiness    9. Retirement    10. Self-Help    11. Unemployment   

Reviews (24)

What to do with the rest of my life?
Yes, I'm one of those baby-boomers contemplating moving into the "third-age" - when the kids have left the nest, the mortgage is paid off, the college accounts have been funded, the husband is semi-retired, but I'm still working, contributing the max to the 401K, and starting to wonder "what next"? No more ladders to climb career-wise, finally the time to think about pursuing hobbies, traveling and the freedom to "re-invent" myself. But, as what? I still haven't figured that out, but I'm sure it will evolve over time. The answers weren't laid out in the book, however, it definitely gave food for thought, and it is a good starting place for those contemplating such a life passage.
Spotlight On Boomer Retirement Issues
I was given this book as a gift, and really didn't know what to expect. The book focuses on the issues facing baby boomers in all facets of their lives, and particularly stresses educational and volunteering opportunities, employment after retirement, and longer life expectancy issues, which of course in turn leads to a discussion of financial planning.
Wrong direction for the rest of your life
This guy is totally out of touch with reality.He is trying to rewrite reality so that the we give HIM power through the money he hopes we will spend on his book.Don't make the mistake of buying this book and don't make the huge mistake of following what he writes.There is no need for power in life.Especially at our ages.We need peace and happiness.We can get this by a walk in the woods.Don't loose the rest of your life by running after happiness where it is not.Happiness is inside yourself, try to find it before looking elsewhere.It will not come from anywhere or anybody else.Get peace with yourself instead of creating chaos.
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Subjects:  1. Aging    2. General    3. Life skills    4. Psychology    5. Self-Help    6. Retirement    7. Self-Help / General   

Subjects:  1. Aging - Retirement    2. Business & Economics    3. City and town life    4. Consumer Guides    5. Life skills guides    6. Personal Finance    7. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    8. Popular Culture - General    9. Reference    10. Retirees    11. Retirement    12. Retirement Plans    13. United States    14. Reference / Consumer Guides   

Reviews (8)

Looking Forward
Good insight into things to do to get ready for retirement. Humorous but insightful.

An In-depth Guide on How Not to Retire.
It's hard being old and set out to pasture.Some folks just give in and accept their lot of being pushed into a corner to live out some twenty or more years doing nothing, just existing.Why retire when you are not ready?There is no set age now for retirement.Keep on doing what you enjoy and make that money as long as you can!You will have time to enjoy it when you are ready!
An positive look at what retirement can bring
Taking a positive view on retirement as an opportunity to pursue options in your life that were not available while working full time, author Ellen Freudenheim provides a fresh look at the wide open world of a positive retirement.She suggests that you start by getting to know yourself again in a retirement perspective.From there you can branch out to altruistic opportunities, traveling, spiritual growth, hobbies, and passions.She ends the book with a section on dealing with practical matters of retirement such as paying for it and decluttering your life.Viewing retirement not as an end of your working years but the birth of another stage of your life including new opportunities makes Looking Forward a recommended read. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - Retirement    2. Business & Economics    3. General    4. Personal Finance    5. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    6. Personal Growth - Success    7. Planning    8. Psychology    9. Retirement    10. United States    11. Social Science / General   

Reviews (23)

Highly Recommend "The Plain Truth about Living in Mexico"
As someone who has visited Mexico several times as I struggle with my study of Spanish, and who is thinking of moving there, I found this book to be far superior to the general run of guides on the expatriate life or retiring in Mexico. Some of the others of this genre just lack the ring of authenticity, or seemed to be aimed at people with a lot of bucks who are headed for a gated community or an expensive house in Cabo San Lucas. But the Bowers' book has that ring of authenticity and is squarely aimed at the (for lack of a better cliche) "average Joe" who is looking for a life that is different and/or better and needs down-to-earth practical advice on how an American can make this transition.
LOTS OF HELPFUL INFORMATION!
This book was packed with important information.We will take the Bower's advice and make several, short trips in order to pinpoint our new home.We want to live among the Mexican population and plan to brush up our rusty Spanish.I was glad to see that we possess the traits necessary to become "successful expatriates."
Too much ranting, too little information
There are quite a few books available on moving to Mexico.So far I've read 3 of them and this one was by far the least helpful.There are a few nuggests of information, but there are also pages and pages of the author's personal opinions about American TV commercials and teenagers owning cellphones.Not to mention all the details of the author's health problems.I didn't pay good money for this, nor do I appreciate the time wasted wading through it.Even the ranting about Ugly Americans, which I completely agree with, was repeated ad nauseum--there's no need to tell us over and over and over.If you want to know everything you possibly can about Mexico, then you might want to include this book on your list, but there are much better books out there. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - General    2. Aging - Retirement    3. Mexico    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Family & Relationships-Aging - Retirement    7. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    8. Travel / Mexico   

Reviews (6)

An Excellent Handbook for Mexico
This is an excellent, detailed, and humourous nuts-and-bolts instruction manual for anyone in the USA or Canada planning to move to Mexico. Don't leave home without it!

Entertaining Read that's Packed with Info
Thinking about the move to Mexico, I saw this book recommended in more than a few places on the internet. What an awesome recommendation it was!
Laugh-out-loud funny!
I had to comment on Don's book for two reasons. First, his cantankerous style is laugh-out-loud funny and will end up making you feel better for having read his book. Secondly, Don was very kind in responding to an email I sent him, as a fellow expat, that was helpful in a time of great personal need. He is a star in my book and I want you to buy ten copies each of his for Christmas presents!
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Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. 1-55369-562-3,1553695623,Head for the Border,Head for the Border - the preparation handbook for relocating to Mexico,trafford publishing,Trafford,Don Adams,mexico,retirement,moving,relocating,travel,ajijic,guadalajara,puerto vallarta,mazatlan,colima,budge    5. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    6. Travel / Mexico   

Reviews (5)

How do you rate a place?
Some towns seem to have a permanent place on the sweetheart lists of books dedicated to relocation and retirement.It is unusual to see such books without Charlottesville, Virginia, Branson, Missouri or Grand Junction, Colorado and indeed these locales, along with 97 others, fill the pages of AMERICA'S 100 BEST PLACES TO RETIRE.
100 Best Places to Retire
Excellent referral information and explicit for cost, weather, local features, and amenities

Left a little to be desired
This book could have done a little better job in giving information.If you were interested only in the best places to retire in order it is good.However, I would have liked more information than what was given. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - Retirement    2. Directories    3. Family & Relationships / Aging    4. Personal & Practical Guides    5. Reference    6. Reference / Directories    7. Retirement communities    8. Retirement, Places of    9. United States    10. Aging    11. Relocation   

Reviews (23)

This book is right......you DON'T need a million!
I have to admit I would have been far more skeptical about the points made in this book if I hadn't seen people already living on far less than a million dollars...and doing just fine.
Not a bad overview, has some good ideas,but beware...
The 'Where will the Money come from' chapter , pgs 240-244 on Social Security, is delusional. The author seems to think that Social Security is safe, that pending boomers will get full benefits, and nothing is further from the truth. The author should check the annual letter from Social security that states that withdrawls will exceed contributions within the next 10 years unless something is done. Nothing will be done because our politicians have no spine and are afraid of not being around to milk the tax payer and receive endless kickbacks and graft, all the while being exempt from the very system created as a last resort.
An excellent handbook for holistic retirement planning
I read this book along with several others two years ago as my husband and I contemplated early retirement.It was by far the best book I read.Most other books were the author's personalmusings about what makes for a good retirement.In contrast, Warner's book backs up his views with both solid research and compelling testimonies from actual retirees. He doesn't downplay the importance of financial well-being in retirement, just puts it in context as ONE element of successful retirement.As someone who's now been retired (at age 52) for a year, I can attest to the usefulness of this book. It helped me honestly analyze my own life situation and has been a catalyst for some of the choices and decisions I am making as I create a life without (much) work. Warner's admonishment that you have to start integrating good practices in your life BEFORE retirement is particularly important; for example, if you don't foster close and healthy relationships with your family and friends when you are younger, they aren't going to magically happen once you're retired.Likewise for good health and spiritual habits. I highly recommend this book to anyone, regardless of age, who wants practical and sage advice on building a fulfilling life in retirement. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - Retirement    2. Business & Economics    3. Business / Economics / Finance    4. Old age pensions    5. Personal Finance    6. Personal Finance - Financial Planning    7. Personal Finance - General    8. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    9. Planning    10. Retirement Plans    11. Retirement income    12. Social security    13. United States   

Reviews (20)

DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME !!
Out of date and poorly written. Might be suited for a middle school class.

A bit out of date but useful for basic info.
Good basic information on various financial topics such as bonds, equities, 401k, pension, etc.But examples provided are out of date.

Information I could understand
Lynn O'Shaughnessy's book Retirement Bible was informative and helpful as I plan for my retirement.It was in a format that even I could understand.I appreciated her help on buyer beware.I will probably hire a good financial advisor to assist and this book has educated me, so when I do interview advisors I hope they will be ready for all my questions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - Retirement    2. Business & Economics    3. Career/Job    4. Consumer Finance    5. Estate planning    6. Personal Finance - Investing    7. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    8. Planning    9. Retirement    10. Retirement Plans    11. Retirement income    12. United States    13. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    14. Personal finance   

Reviews (25)

Retirement 101
This is a great beginners book for people looking to begin there plans for retirement. It is very basic advice with the biggest angle it uses is if you own a large house in a metropolitin area then sell that house and by a small one in a place with a lower cost of living. A retiree could sell their large house in the state of New York and move to Okalahoma City and live like a king off the equity that was in it. The main point of this book is that you do not need 70% of your current income in retirement to be comfortable. You should be able to dramatically reduce your expenses when you no longer work, like eating out,clothing and gas. You should also have all your debt paid off like your cars, and even your house by retirement time. To learn about this in great detail buy this book, if this sounds like common sense move on.I think any book by Dave Ramsey is all that is ever needed on personal finance, he covers everything. From budgeting to retirement.

Not worth buying
There is a little useful information in this book, but the main advice is to sell your home in an area where property values are very high and relocate to a less expensive area.This is repeated throughout the sections of the book. If you already live in one of the less-expensive areas and do not have a large house to sell,this advice is little help to you.The author advises things like buying a used car and driving it for many years; haven't most people figured this out on their own?There is a lot of filler in the form of stories about people who illustrate the author's view, many of whom are "indulging their passion for bicycling" in retirement.

A must have for any financial library
Fred Brock does it again. This book is loaded with practical and invaluable information. This should be required reading in high schools and universities. It's a quick and easy read, but is filled with tons advice. My favorite aspect of the book that many people fail to realize is cost of living in different parts of the country and how it affects your quality of living. For example, if you earn $35,000 in Wichita, Kansas and can get the same job in San Francisco, CA making $50,000, your quality of life has a high potential to decrease based upon the cost of living. People need to think of these things before deciding where to take a job. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging - Retirement    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Finance    5. Finance, Personal    6. General    7. Personal Finance - General    8. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    9. Personal finance    10. Planning    11. Retirement    12. United States    13. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / Retirement Planning   

Reviews (5)

101 SECRETS FOR A GREAT RETIREMENT
SAVE YOUR MONEY AND DON'T BUY THIS ONE. IT'S A CORNY COLLECTION OF SENSELESS IDEAS. THE AUTHORS SPEAK APPROVINGLY OF A COUPLE WHO DROPPED THEIR MEDICAL INSURANCE AND SAVED THE MONEY INSTEAD. THEY MANAGED TO SAVE $45,000. THAT MIGHT NOT PAY FOR 1 DAY IN A HOSPITAL. IT WOULD BE INSANE TO DROP YOUR MEDICAL COVERAGE AND TRY TO SAVE ENOUGH ON YOUR OWN. THIS BOOK COULD BE DANGEROUS TO YOUR HEALTH.

Practical Wisdom
There is a great deal of wisdom in this book by Mary Helen and Shuford Smith. The Smiths cover the practical aspects of retirement as well. The Smiths retired early - ages 39 and 43. They consider their retirement lives extremely rich and provide this guide to fill in a gap that they see in retirement literature. They aren't afraid to tackle issues that many other retirement books don't address, such as the reality of death and sexual changes, while covering the practical aspects of retirement as well.
common sense, not "secrets"
I bought this book thinking that the "secrets" therein would enlighten me as to things we might be missing in our planning for retirement.The other reviewers on this site made it sound like the book would have advice on little-known health care deals, finding a good place to live, etc.Instead, it is filled with common sense tips, such as "enjoy sex" and "learn to forgive."Gee, thanks.This might be a good book if you're retired and bored, but don't buy this looking for much more. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Aging - Retirement    3. Business & Economics    4. Business/Economics    5. Family / Parenting / Childbirth    6. Personal Finance - Retirement Planning    7. Planning    8. Retirement    9. Self-Help / Aging   

Reviews (8)

An extremely helpful book
I am so glad I found this book.I have been struggling with retirement for the past four years and read many books.I liked the book so much I reread it.
Good Information
I definitely agree with the other reviews in that this little book is well done with a lot of interesting tips and information.Preparing for retirement, emotionally/psychologically managing not being able to retire when initially planned, and actual retirement.My only hesitation with the book is that many of the people interviewed are upper income/upper management retirees.It is sometimes difficult to be able to relate to some of the transition problems/solutions discussed in the book when you're approaching retirement from a middle income/middle management or blue color perspective where finances may make some of the options less viable solutions.
Good book
Looking towards retirement with hope and dread.This was a good book from a psychological and emotional point of view.I also read Stop Working by Rohan Hall which prepares one from a financial point of view.I'm happy that these books were written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aging    2. Aging - General    3. Aging - Retirement    4. General    5. Psychological aspects    6. Psychology    7. Retirement    8. Self-Help    9. Coping with old age    10. Popular psychology   

Reviews (8)

A primer for those "in the desert"
"What Do You Want to Do When You Grow Up?" is a must book for those who are "in-transition," thinking about retirement, or uncertain about their present career path (the desert experience). For four years, I have been serving as a co-ministry head in my Church assisting those who are either "in-transition" or contemplating it. This has been my number one reading recommendation to all participants, as this book handily addresses the first step to be taken before one moves-on, the step of self-awareness. Without knowing you are and where you want to go, you are doomed to a very empty existence.
Starts out great; doesn't deliver on its promises
The book "What Do You Want to Do When You Grow Up?" by Dorothy Cantor starts off with some promise.Early she says, "What we are going to talk about can be summed up as the capacity to grow and the need to choose....We will look at what went on before, in order to find some clues for the future."Later in the first section, she adds, "I'll show you how to pull those pieces together to sketch a plan for the next part of your life- the time in which there will be few rules, the time in which the choices will be up to you....Don't just leave the future to chance; do not assume that after you stop working, all will fall comfortably in place....design the years ahead, not wait for them to happen....you have within you, as we all have, the gift for endless self-renewal."