Getting Out Of Debt

AP - Cries for help inside a Trenton, N.J., home turned out to be for the birds. Neighbors called police Wednesday morning after hearing a woman's persistent cry of "Help me! Help me!" coming from a house. Officers arrived and when no one answered the door, they kicked it in to make a rescue.

So, how do you save for retirement?

Seriously, have you actually started to save?

Have you thought of where and how to come up with the money you need to support yourself in retirement?

No? That's pretty normal because it isn't something we usually think about when we've other more pressing matters at hand. Retirement? Well, it's another 20, 30 years down the road; plenty of time to start that saving.....

Well, before you know it, you've retired and you don't save enough to support yourself in retirement....

Don't fall into this "tragic" trap. Start to save as early as possible because the earlier you start to save, the more time your savings have, to compound over time.

I'm going to show you how to save for retirement, the "smart" ways:

• Estimate how much you need to save to last throughout your retirement years, with inflation built in. How much your expenses will be at retirement and your life expectancy at retirement (based on when you might retire) are the crucial measuring yardsticks to know how much you need to save.Multiply your estimated annual expenses at retirement by the years you can expect to live after retirement. You get a rough idea of what you need to save for retirement (P/S: Experts estimate that your retirement expenses will be 30% lower than when you were in the work force)
• Deduct the amount you expect to receive from Social Security. Contact the Social Security Administration at get your estimated benefits at retirement. On average, Social Security will account for less than 44% of your income (and if you're in a higher income bracket, the figure could be more like 15%). The rest must come from you, from your other sources of income - could be pensions, retirement savings plans, annuities, interest, dividends, rent....
• Learn about your employer's pension Or profit sharing plan - if your employer offers a plan, check to see what your benefit is worth. Most employers will provide an individual benefit statement if you request one. Before you change jobs, find out what will happen to your pension. Learn what benefits you may have from previous employment
• Contribute to a tax-sheltered savings plan - if your employer offers a tax-sheltered savings plan, such as a 401k, sign up and contribute all you can. Your taxes will be lower, your company may kick in more, and automatic deductions make it easy. Over time, compound interest and tax deferrals make a big difference in the amount you will accumulate
• Put your money into an individual retirement account (IRA). You can put up to $4,000 a year into an IRA and gain tax advantages. When you open an IRA, you've 2 options - a traditional IRA or the newer Roth IRA. The tax treatment of your contributions and withdrawals will depend on which option you select. Also, you should know that the after-tax value of yourwithdrawal will depend on inflation and the type of IRA you choose
• Get familiar with basic investment principles. How you save can be as important as how much you save. Inflation and the type of investments you make affect how much you'll have saved at retirement. Know how your pension or savings plan is invested. It'll help to enhance your financial security
• Don't touch your retirement savings. You'll lose principal and interest, and you may lose tax benefits. If you change jobs, roll over your savings directly into an IRA or your new employer's retirement plan
• Start now to save and stick to it. The sooner you start saving, the more time your money has to grow. Put time on your side. Make retirement savings a high priority. Get a plan, stick to it, and set goals for your savings

Due to her strong yearning to retire early in life, Cecelia Yap has been researching on the subject of retirement. She has found the most "viral" way to grow her retirement nest egg and you too can do what she does, here: http://www.perfect-body-toning.com/my-passion.html

AP - David Spade is the father of Playboy playmate Jillian Grace's newborn daughter, Spade's representative said Thursday. The baby girl was born Aug. 26 in Missouri, and Spade plans to visit her on his first break from filming the CBS sitcom "Rules of Engagement," publicist Meredith O'Sullivan said.

And what do you look for when choosing a place to retire?

Is it affordable housing?

Plentiful leisure activities & cultural interests?

Job growth opportunities?

Sunny weather? Sandy beaches? Clean air & surroundings?

Tantalizing gourmet haven?

Easy commute system?

Fast & hassle-free health care access?

I think all of the above would be what you're looking for.

If you're pondering on a place to retire to, I would say go for a place with thriving economy that offers all or almost all of the above-mentioned "goodies" to make your retirement lifestyle relaxed and carefree.

I've researched and studied quite a few places that have the above-mentioned "goodies" and I think they can be good candidates for you to pick as one of your 10 best places to retire.

The list's not exhaustive though and you may have other preferred places.....

1. Sarasota, Florida

A famous Gulf Coast spot. It's home to some of the most splendid architectures you can imagine.

It's also famed for its more than 30 miles of beautiful beaches and a climate that's perfect for boating, water skiing, tennis and golf.

Nature lovers will bask in the fine ambience of pure white sands, exotic birds and plants.

Culture loving folks would love the operas, ballets and theatres here.

It isn't a big city but it sure has an urban feel, thanks to the first rate entertainment.

2. Ames, Iowa

It offers a real American midwest living. It's also home for big-name musical acts and touring theater groups.

It lures you with very affordable housing.

And low crime area too.

Life's quiet and calm here, just the way you might like it.

3. San Diego, California

If you treasure sunny weather and crisp sea air, San Diego is the place with beautiful weather and white, sandy beaches plus crisp clean air.

Want an active lifestyle (busy with seas and beaches)? The breathtaking beaches and the famed Balboa Park are a few of the places you can go to for play and entertainment.

This town reigns as one of the most competitive in the fields of electronics, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

You need to spend a little on housing, though. San Diego doesn't come cheap.

4. Lawrence, Kansas

Lush surroundings and attractions such as shows at the Lied Center, an active community arts center and theater, a vibrant downtown and a longtime farmers market, are this town's alluring trademark.

Enough spots to go and activities for you to participate, if you yearn for an active past time.

5. Hot Springs, Arkansas

It's famed as a spa resort.

But what would also attract you is its low cost of living.

And it's a good bargain in terms of housing costs - for instance, a single-family house (from 1,600 to 2,100 square feet) averages $135,000 to $225,000.

6. Charleston, South Carolina

The south is one of the best places to retire to.

Charleston, in the south, is a lovely town where you get to enjoy lots of activities within a thriving economy.

It's been dubbed a historic, romantic and beautiful town.

But one snag - you got to put up with the summer heat.

7. Hanover, New Hamsphire

A colonial enclave famed for its cross-country skiing that's among the best you can find.

The town's also known for its ivy league living.

8. Anacortes, Washington

A haven for water lovers. Its crown jewel is Fidalgo Island, a hop, skip and a short sail to British Columbia.

It offers plenty of water-recreation activities like sailing, kayaking and power boating. You can also go for other things like golfing, camping, bird watching and beach combing.

It's historic downtown boasts specialty shops, antique stores and art galleries plus bed and breakfasts and gourmet restaurants.

9. Walla Walla, Washington

If you want a quiet lifestyle where people know one another, then this is the place for you.

You can escape the rat race and find peace and tranquility with its offer of bookstores and art galleries. The local colleges offer lots of activities such as lectures and classes for retirees.

And if you're used to big city prices, you'll get nice, affordable surprised bargains here.

10. Charlottesville, Virginia

This town's blessed with the rugged and picturesque Blue Ridge Mountains and also a fine blend of colonialism and 18th-century ideals.

It would go down well with a relaxing retirement lifestyle: playing golf in serene surrounding; taking part in refreshing water sports; browsing through the book stores and antique shops.....

Take your pick among these top 10 best places to retire.

Or you've other places in mind?

Well, as long as the place has what you want, it's your best place to retire, I would say.

The most important thing - you must love the place and enjoy your life there.

Cecelia Yap is an avid exerciser and the owner of the successful fitness and exercise website: http://www.perfect-body-toning.com

Due to her strong yearning to retire early in life,she has also been researching on the subject of retirement. She shows you how she has turned her passion in exercise into a retirement nest egg: http://www.perfect-body-toning.com/my-passion.html