Alva Review-Courier -

An article in AARP Magazine by Allan Roth is labeled “Saving for Retirement May be Wrong.” It certainly got my attention and here is his rationale.

The first statement is so true: “Wealth is not a dollar amount.” When I ask my friends what retirement means to them, they don’t mention cars, boats or second homes. Instead they refer to freedom, security, choices and health. Roth says, “The important number isn’t the size of the pile of cash but instead the years of freedom the pile represents.”

In other words, look at wealth in terms of time rather than dollars. He says we have two ways to become wealthier: make more money or spend the money you have more wisely. It might take some time to adjust to living on less, but research indicates that we get more happiness from experiences than buying stuff.

Don’t be a remorseful buyer. Stuff is just that – and he who dies with the most of it still dies and leaves plastic tub headaches for survivors. Cash in on Social Security. Roth says he who takes it sooner rather than later is missing a bet: Social Security is the best annuity on the planet: guaranteed for life by the government with cost of living adjustments to boot.

Perhaps you plan on real estate, stocks or collectables for security in the future. Will they meet their potential or will the market be down when you need to sell? Why not just invest in a crystal ball?