Plan your Retirement Early and Retire Happy

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Good old Benjamin Franklin, inventor and US statesman, once said "nothing in this world is certain, except death and taxes".

Well, growing old and retirement are also certain - it's just that retirement could be a dream come true or a nightmare.

The difference lies in having a retirement plan or have not.


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Most people know the need for a plan but when is a good time to start retirement planning?

I say, right away :-D

Because, the parts that make up a good retirement take time to put in place.

The earlier you start, the more time you have to put it all together.

So... how do we start retirement planning?



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As Stephen Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People said "Begin with the end in mind".  

Start by asking yourself what kind of retirement do you want? What do you want to do with your time? Volunteering? Vacations? Hobbies? How much money do you need for these activities, and to pay for your living expenses and healthcare?

Now, ask yourself, where are you now in regards to all these needs? What is the distance between where you are now and where you want to be on retirement?

Fortunately, retirement planning is no longer a long shot in the dark. There are lots of helpful online resources and support available free of charge in this website <- click.


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You can also check this web page on Retirement Funds <- click - it has pointers on topping up your CPF, earning more interest on your CPF savings, investing during retirement, unlocking the value of your home etc.

For tips on cash flow during retirement, you can check how to get a monthly allowance for life, with CPF LIFE! <-click

A good retirement is not just about financial security, even though that is a very important part of it.


On a mission to put every good hawker on the World Wide Web

The next thing to think about is how to remain active in retirement. Personally, service to the community is at the top of my mind - it can be to our immediate family, neighbourhood, groups, society at large or even a global cause :-D  

What can we do with our skills and experience to create value for others?

The sky's the limit :-D

Not working for money doesn't mean that you are unproductive and no longer contributing. It just means that you now have the freedom to choose what to do and where you want to contribute. You call the shots! Not your boss nor your clients. Isn't that awesome? It is, I tell you :-D

For me, I produce stories about good food and hawkers and share it on my blog johorkaki.blogspot.com. The stories connect customers with hawkers - customers know where good food and hawkers are, and hawkers get more customers. Value is created for everyone, everybody is happy and I find this work very meaningful. The blog is also a permanent record of our food heritage as well as the places and people behind it.

Blogging keeps me up-to-date with social media technology and trends. I enjoy the thrill of spotting good food and hawkers. I made many new friends, both hawkers and my blog readers from all ages and walks of life. It keeps my mind engaged - on overdrive actually but the more I immerse myself in this project, the more energy I have.

For you too, the possibilities are limited only by your imagination. Here are some ideas on an enriching retirement in this website <- click

Now you have a retirement plan to take you from where you are to where you want to be when you retire.

Congratulations!

You have greatly increased your chances of an awesome retirement :-D


The auspicious silver stone at Bonifacio Global City, Philippines

But, no plan should be set in stone - no one can predict the future, so our plan must be able to adapt and adjust with the times.  

Go ahead. 

Plan now for a happy and productive retirement! Live your plan forward, live life to the fullest. 

Every day of your life :-D

Share with us your thoughts on retirement :-D

Date: 6 Mar 2016

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