10 Ways to Retire Earlier Than Friends on the Same Salary

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Early retirees relaxing in the pool
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com

The notion of early retirement is all the rage, with books and blogs devoted to the idea of quitting work while you are still “young enough” to enjoy life.

If you do not work for a company that provides a pension, self-funding an early retirement might seem daunting — but it can be done.

The key is to understand that the decisions you make are at least as important as the amount of money you earn. If you want to retire early — or at all — keep the following suggestions in mind.

1. Marry or partner with the right person

Rido / Shutterstock.com
Rido / Shutterstock.com

A significant other can give you such a thrill, but love won’t pay the bills. It’s probably not wise to ask about credit scores on the first date. However, talking about other goals and money management habits can be fine fodder for those getting-to-know-you chats.

As the relationship heats up, you need to talk frankly about finances. If the object of your affections is vague about future plans or careless about spending, ask yourself whether you want to do all the heavy lifting when it comes to cash.

2. When you pair up, try to stay that way

Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com
Monkey Business Images / Shutterstock.com

Many relationships have rough patches. Be prepared to work through them. Put bluntly, divorce is expensive as well as traumatic. It might also be unnecessary. Some problems that feel insurmountable can be overcome through couples counseling.

Unless your safety or your long-term financial well-being is at stake, remember why you married that person and work hard to work it out.

And if you do wind up splitting? Please read “7 Ways Divorce Can Cost You Big — and How to Avoid Them.” What you learn could save you money and maybe even keep you solvent.

3. Be aware of the true cost of at-home parenthood

goodluz / Shutterstock.com
goodluz / Shutterstock.com

Some people feel strongly about having one parent at home full time for years. However, stay-at-home parents may have trouble getting jobs if they stay out of the workforce for too long.

While quitting a job might be the right choice, you should not do so simply because child care costs too much. For tips on continuing to work while keeping as much of your paycheck as possible, see “9 Ways to Save Money on Babysitting.”

4. Take calculated investment risks

A young couple looks at financial documents together
Dean Drobot / Shutterstock.com

Diversify your retirement investments. Stocks and real estate involve some risk, but over the course of decades, they historically have returned more than safer savings accounts.

For more information on investing, check out “The Lazy Person’s Guide to Flawless Investing.”

5. Build an emergency fund

Rido / Shutterstock.com
Rido / Shutterstock.com

You need an emergency fund. Period. That cash will help you fix a car, replace a broken appliance or pay for a pet’s illness. And you will avoid putting those costs on a credit card or borrowing from your 401(k).

For more on this important type of savings account, check out “9 Tips for Starting an Emergency Fund Today.”

6. Don’t be in a rush to pair up

CASTALDOstudio.com / Shutterstock.com
CASTALDOstudio.com / Shutterstock.com

So what if all your friends from high school or college are getting engaged? That is no reason to rush into matrimony. Keep your eyes wide open with regard to financial and personal compatibility.

You want to pair with someone with whom you can share goals and who is willing to do what it takes to achieve them.

Love makes it easy to overlook red flags such as careless spending patterns, high debt load and an inability to plan for the future. The old saying “Marry in haste, repent at leisure” has a lot of truth to it.

7. Don’t have kids too early

fizkes / Shutterstock.com

An unplanned pregnancy can take a major toll on your finances, and even on your emotional well-being. That is especially true if it turns out that the person you thought was Mr. or Ms. Right is the wrong fit.

Even if you plan to wait to have children, remember that a surprise pregnancy is always a possibility. That’s another reason to be on the same financial page with your beloved. The more organized your finances are, the more likely you will be able to cope with an unplanned pregnancy.

8. Consider a smaller family

Billion Photos / Shutterstock.com
Billion Photos / Shutterstock.com

“How many kids should we have?” is a good question to discuss before you get married. Some people opt for only one or two children due to the high cost of raising them. Others keep their families small because they feel fulfilled and happy with producing only a couple of outstanding new citizens.

Remember, it isn’t just a question of whether you can feed and clothe more than one or two children. Family size can also affect:

  • Your mortgage. A two-bedroom starter home won’t be large enough for your version of “The Brady Bunch.”
  • Your car payment. You cannot tote five kids in a compact car.
  • Your retirement. If one parent takes a lot of time off to raise kids, he or she will likely put a lot less into both Social Security and any personal retirement program.

9. Live in a cheaper area

goodluz / Shutterstock.com
goodluz / Shutterstock.com

You don’t have much choice about housing if your work is in New York City or Los Angeles. But today isn’t necessarily forever. Perhaps you can find work in your field in a less-expensive area, or arrange to work remotely.

Look for ways to cut the cost of housing. Perhaps you can take in a roommate or two. Even married couples sometimes rent out a room to help ease mortgage costs.

10. Don’t try to keep up with the Joneses

Nejron Photo / Shutterstock.com
Nejron Photo / Shutterstock.com

Why should marketing experts determine how you live? Champagne tastes on a Kool-Aid budget will translate into debt that might keep you from ever retiring.

Put another way: The Joneses might be up to their hairlines in debt. Still want to be like them?

That’s especially true when it comes to cars. Maybe you want a sweet ride that leaves others in the dust — and makes them feel envious to boot. The higher cost of a luxury or sports car plus the higher cost of auto insurance will siphon tens of thousands of dollars from your wallet, and that’s money that could otherwise grow in your retirement accounts.

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