Ever notice something about a lot of financial service firms? They all focus on our investments. Gee, I thought they said they were helping us plan our retirement!?

Look at the typical way these firms help you “plan” your retirement.

1. Figure out how much money you have invested right now. And how much you can invest every year.
2. Determine what type of investor you are (aggressive, conservative, etc.).
3. Guess what the rate of inflation, your raises and your investment, returns will be until you retire.
4. Use everyone else’s lifestyle to estimate your living expenses during your retirement.
5. See if your investment plan will cover everyone else’s lifestyle or if you’re investments run out.
6. Go back and guess again…and again…and again…until it works.
7. Buy their investments.
8. When you retire, hope that your numbers were right.

Think about how you plan anything you’re going to build. Do you buy a bunch of wood and nails and windows, and then see what kind of house you can build with it? Hope not.

Then why do that with your retirement? Use an approach that is built around you and your needs.

1. Identify the definite sources of income you will have in your retirement.
2. Determine how much you need to have to support your lifestyle – now and when you retire.
3. Determine what you need to do now to have enough when you retire.
4. Invest your money how you should, with whom you want, in what you want.
5. Enjoy life – now and when you retire.

Need help in doing this in an organized fashion? Visit our site and use our software: Your Retirement Architect. And do it the right way: for you.