How have you prepared, and plans you have made for a successful future (50 and older only please)?

What are you going to do when you retire? Have you set up a realistic goal for when that happens and how to cope?

Are you ready to retire now, how did you get there, and what will fulfill you after you stop "working"?

Words of wisdom to pass down to all of us 40 and under to think about for our own futures? What is a good investment to look into, and what did you invest in that you wouldn't have if you had known today what you didn't back then?

Dang it.. another stand off.. I can't drcide between the two, and I've read them both about 10 times each!

Each of the two has wisdom from their current situations, and gave valid advice on life and money management techniques.

The best made plans of mice and men....
Shot to Hades when my wife was turned into a brittle diabetic as the result of a "side effect" of a prescribed drug. The medical bills ate us alive. She lost her job and the savings were shot within one year.
I never lost hope. I never lost faith.
Divinity provides for our needs. We are only responsible for our wants. Save what you can, when you can (the old pay yourself first concept), but realize that you never have any guarantees that things will happen the way you plan.
Prepare for the worst but look for the best. Just don鈥檛 be stupid. Things will always work out.
P.S. I am 58 and semi-retired.

retired in my mid 40's, saved & invested my way to an easier life. still have young kids and i get to spend time with them. i still invest and earn at least a historical stock market return at worst.

i had my own business and made it work for me.

i can exercise, read, listen to music, take my kids out for whatever they need to do. no commuting, no office nonsense.

just having a good time.

I now limit myself to less than 2% in any single stock and firmly believe in ETF's and index mutual funds. I highly recommend bobbrinker.com for beginner and experienced investors.

you have no sense of humour cant you see when some questions are jokes.some of your seriousanswers to funny questions is sad.also i have played pker for the past 15 years so im set for life and basicaly have never had a real job