Not everyone wants to work until they are old enough to get social security benefits. However, it’s not possible to retire earlier unless you do some serious retirement planning (or win the lottery). If you’re serious about your retirement and want to start planning now, continue reading to learn about our simple and effective tips to prepare for retirement at any age.

1. Pick A Retirement Age And Determine How Much You Need

The biggest question to answer is “what age do you want to retire?” If you’re in your 20s or 30s and you want to retire in your 50s then you need to calculate the right amount of money to obtain your goal. Experts recommend saving at least 70% of your income as a ballpark estimate. This is because you need to be able to cover your future household expenses. For example, expenses such as utilities, food, rent, mortgage, and other necessary expenses will have to be paid.

If you can’t afford to save up a huge amount right away, it’s recommended to start your retirement plan by saving a fixed percentage of monthly income. This way you will be forced to save more money than you normally would without a monthly savings plan.

2. Live Below Your Means To Contribute To Your 401k and IRA

As you might already know, a 401k is a company sponsored retirement account that allows you to contribute your pre-tax salary into it. Your money will be accumulated faster since you get to take full advantage of compounding interest on it. The earlier you start this plan, the better it will be for your retirement savings.

Apart from that, you can also open a Roth or Traditional IRA. The accounts can automatically deduct money from your paycheck, which will remove the temptation of spending the money on something unnecessary. You’ll have to be more careful with your expenses, but it’s worth the effort in the long run since you can enjoy retirement earlier. If you decide to get an IRA then aim to save at least ten percent of your gross income at first. This will give you a good head start.

3. Manage Your Debt

If you want to be successful saving for your retirement, you will have to get rid of high-interest debts. One solution is to refinance them. This means that you can find other lenders who are willing to refinance your current debt at a lower rate than the amount you are paying right now. In the long run, your debts will not be eating away at your savings as much as it could be. Don’t use funds in a 401k or IRA to pay off debts since you’ll incur huge tax penalties.

4. Take Advantage Of Tax Deductible Savings Accounts

Once you have excess cash available, tax deductible savings accounts are an excellent option to can take advantage of tax deferred benefits. One of them is known as the Health Savings Account (HSA). This is a savings account that can be utilized to pay for healthcare expenses. The funds that you keep in this account will keep on growing without taxes being deducted from it. Even the withdrawals are free of any tax or charge when you’re using it for medical expenses. The only problem is that you have to meet the eligibility criteria to opt for this savings account. You can visit the IRS website to check if you qualify for it. After all, you’ll need all the tools available to help you save more money and retire early.

5. Use A Retirement Planner App

If you want to take your savings one step further then use an app for retirement planning. It is one of the best tools out there for managing your finances. The app will provide you with everything you need to save for your retirement effectively. It has a financial dashboard that can calculate all of your expenses with charts and graphs. You’ll know where all of your money is going by tracking your cash flow and reviewing spending habits.

Final Words

Retirement planning is not easy. It takes a lot of time, effort, and dedication to save enough so that you can continue living your lifestyle. By following our tips, you’ll have a better chance at retiring early. Make sure to use a retirement planner app to help you manage everything and see how easy this entire process becomes!