What does a woman want to do when she retires? Travel? Pursue hobbies? Spend time with friends and family? We all have dreams about what those days will be like. But when it comes to turning those dreams into reality, women's retirement confidence and know-how is low. According to a 2012 survey, 92 percent of women of all ages in this country don't feel they're educated enough to reach their retirement savings goals. For the woman who doesn't know where to start or would like a knowledgeable guide who speaks her language, financial expert Mary Hunt offers a comprehensive but approachable resource for saving and planning for retirement. Whether she feels entitled to retire at age 65, hopes she'll be able to stop working someday , or is convinced she'll never be able to retire, every woman will find real help in these pages. With her signature no-nonsense, energetic style, Hunt assures women that it's only too late if they don't start now. She clearly covers every aspect of retirement planning during every season of a woman's life, giving women the confidence they need to shape their futures. “According to a 2012 survey, 92 percent of women of all ages in the United States don’t feel they know enough to reach their retirement savings goals.” So states columnist Hunt in her “different kind of book,” which eliminates jargon while presenting facts and motivation for women of all ages to manage their future retirement planning. The best way to prepare for retirement is for a woman to take care of herself and her money every day. (Hunt refers to the reader as “you” but considers the reference to be plural, depending on marital status.) She presents six important strategies for her retirement savings plan, which include developing a money management system, building an emergency fund, getting out of debt, maximizing retirement accounts, owning your home outright, and building a personal investment portfolio. Hunt concludes there is more to retirement than just money and emphasizes good health, relationships, and meaningful activities. Important information for a wide range of library patrons, including a valuable glossary of financial terms. --Mary Whaley You can make your retirement dreams come true What do you want to do when you retire? Travel? Pursue hobbies? Spend time with friends and family? If you want to turn those dreams into reality, you need a plan. If you're not sure where to start, you need personal financial expert Mary Hunt. With her signature no-nonsense, energetic style, Mary clearly covers every aspect of retirement planning during every season of your life--all in language you can understand. Whether you're staring retirement in the face or you have decades of work ahead of you, Mary offers sound advice on everything from savings and investment to debt reduction and Social Security.
Mary Hunt is the award-winning and bestselling author of several books, including 7 Money Rules for Life , as well as a sought-after motivational speaker. She is founder and publisher of the interactive website Debt-Proof Living (www.debtproofliving.com), which features financial tools, resources, and information for her online members. Her books have sold more than a million copies, and her daily newspaper column is nationally syndicated through Creators Syndicate and enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of readers. Hunt speaks widely on personal finance and has appeared on shows such as NBC's Today , FOX News , Oprah , and Focus on the Family . She and her husband live in Colorado. The knowledge and confidence you need to shape your future--today "With her usual warmth and compassion, Mary Hunt takes the fear out of an often-terrifying topic. Any woman who's ever wanted to be able to retire confidently can benefit from the down-to-earth knowledge in this book."-- Liz Pulliam Weston , MSN Money columnist and author of The 10 Commandments of Money "From cover to cover, an informative and even delightful read on a tough-to-face subject! In her personal style, Mary cuts to the chase on exactly how to make the most of the opportunities and resources you have today, so that you can sail through the golden years. Mary holds your hand and walks you through it step by step. Just what I needed right now! Thank you, Mary!"-- Teri Gault , CEO and founder, TheGroceryGame.com " The Smart Woman's Guide to Planning for Retirement takes the fear out of financial planning and gives women a financial blueprint they can relate to. Any woman who reads this book will walk away confident and in control of her finances."-- Ellen Breslau , editor-in-chief, Grandparents.com "You don't have to live in fear of your future in retirement. The Smart Woman's Guide to Planning for Retirement brings clarity to all your financial questions. Mary Hunt feels like a friend sharing hope for the future."-- Melissa Montana , CEO/president, STAR Educational Media Network "Powerful, practical, and solid advice on facing retirement with