Yes, that's pretty odd... but by occupation, I was a Retirement Manager, and I have hosted Pre-Retirement Planning Programs for my employer for 25 years. I've heard many speakers and this topic simply interests me as it was what I lived since l985.

Mostly -- I never ever want to have the phrase I've heard so often at Pre-Retirement Planning meetings apply to me: "You can out live your retirement..."

How can you out live your retirement, you ask? By living past where savings are still available to you, living day to day in retirement, with no back up monies, too old to work, but your savings are long gone and you are simply just existing...

So, 20 years ago, at the ripe old age of 30, I started to think retirement. I had a voluntary retirement savings plan at work (with no employer contributions), but I saved. I increased the amount every so often, and saved more... but honestly saved very little for many years (however, it DOES add up over time!)

It was really in the last ten years before retirement that I saved the most. At that point, you are serious, well, at least, I was!

Many of the previous expenses of raising children, and funding college, etc are almost done and you are at your highest earning point of your career -- so instead of getting more more more "stuff" -- think ahead to your long retirement future.

The effect of compounding is immense....