In 99 pages, seven-time author Mike Piper answers three burning questions in Can I Retire?
(Win my review copy below.)
- How much money do I need to retire?
- How do I manage my retirement savings?
- How do I plan for taxes in retirement?
On the first page, Mike admits that there are plenty of good retirement books out there. So why did he write another one?
Can I Retire?
is not meant to be better. It’s meant to be shorter. It’s written for the person who…
…might not be able to find the time to read Otar’s entire 525-page book or the 370-page Boglehead’s Guide…But if there’s a good chance that, if you were to buy one of those other books, it would sit unread on your coffee table or bookshelf, then this book is written for you.
I met Mike at the Financial Blogger Conference in October 2011, where he told me about self-publishing on Amazon. (If you’re interested in writing a book, the gist of it seems to be that if you go with self-publishing and selling on Amazon, you’ll make a lot more money per book. But you won’t get any recognition because self-published authors still have a second class reputation. If you go with a traditional publisher, you may get a lot of media buzz and attention, but you won’t make any money.) Mike gave me a free copy of his book, even before I said I would review it on BargainBabe.com.
Each chapter is a few brief pages, with practical and simple steps to take action. Mike summarizes each chapter with bullet points at the end. Can I Retire? does not shy away from technical terms, but it uses plain language to explain terms and concepts, making the book a great primer for anyone interested in planning their retirement.
Because the book is so short, it does not cover when to start taking retirement benefits, whether you should buy long-term health care, and some other subjects. Mike suggests you supplement the book with advice from a professional adviser or continue to self-educate yourself.
If you’d like to win my review copy, comment on this post with how you’d like to spend your retirement. Comment by Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST to be eligible to win. A winner will be selected and announced on Friday, Nov. 4, 2011. Or buy Can I Retire? on Amazon for $10.20 (orig. $15). The Kindle version
is just $5!
I’d like to do a little travelling during retirement and then find a way to help others less fortunate through volunteering.
I would love to spend my retirement traveling the world!
Hanging out with my husband and grandkids, with no worries for them or me.
I plan on sleeping the first year away, and going non-stop the next 50. Yes, I said 50. Even if the Disney people have to animatronic me.
When I retire I hope to have enough put aside to cover all my medical and assisted living expenses, and maybe a bit more so I can enjoy my garden and children for a LONG time before needing to worry about those two major financial black holes.
I am planning to save as much as can, but it would be nice to have a book that is dedicated to retirement. I’m hoping to have enough that I can donate a lot to charity at that time. Unfortunately, I’ve been out of work for 5 years now and have to save every penny and had to limit my amount I donate. If I could get on the right track I would be able to donate more. I really hope I win this book. It would be a win-win for me and the charities.
We posted about your giveaway at Winning Readings.
I will like to spend my retirement time volunteering for charitable organizations.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I would love to travel, spend time with my kids and soon to come grandkids! I would also like to be able to volunteer and help the needy.
Keep some for retirement and for social work in charitable organizations.
You said to write about how you would LIKE to spend your retirement. If I could choose…… I would like to follow Michael Bolton on his world wide tour spending the down time on my yacht, working on my tan but…. I doubt the book would explain how to accomplish that—haha Maybe the book would show me more realistic goals??
I would spend some of my retirement hours voluntering at my local food bank and at the public library helping an adult learn to read.
I currently volunteer at a soup kitchen several times a year in addtion to my fulltime+ hours as a dialysis RN. Also involved at my church and community organizations.
My dream would be to take a special vacation every year expanding my horizons. Hey wait, I can do that now!
Show me that retirement money!!!
I am a divorced 55 year old woman. This book would be very beneficial to me as my plans for my life have been changed due to divorce. At this point I have no real plans, I am just existing day to day.
i would like to spend my retirement on a perpetual cruise!
madamerkf at aol dot com
As a divorced mom who raised her children for 15 years without help, I am suddenly faced with the reality that I am 54 and have very little in place for retirement. I am a teacher, but with the current changes in the pension system I am worried I will not have enough to retire. I would love a simple book to help me “get it right.” I didn’t answer HOW I would like to spend my retirement because I am worried I won’t be able to retire!!
I would like to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity. Thanks for the contest!
I want to downsize to a place with no lawn to cut. Travel to places. Visit family and friends. Relax in my hot tub!
I’d like to travel;spend LOTS of time with the grandkids(one on the way!);clean out the clutter!
love to spend my retirement traveling
ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com
My son 9 told me for his science fair project, he was going to create a computer game.. So we can make millions.. That should help me with my future plans to retire.. I would like to know when the best time to retire… By the way.. If I ever retire.. I would volunteer, just like i do now.
i would like to travel all over the usa.
I would like to fulfill my “bucket list”, which includes some travel, then do some volunteering. I just hope I have my health to enjoy retirement!
I would like to do some volunteer work, spend time with my husband, visit with my kids (and hopefully grandkids) and help them when needed.
I would like to travel and spend lots of time with my family.
I would love to spend my retirement volunteering, cooking, and doing yoga. At the rate I’m going, I may not be able to do so until I’m in my 80s!
Not living by the clock and planting a large vegtable garden and being able to feed those who would not have access to fresh veggies otherwise. I would like to have time to help others, it could be my children, other relative, neighbor or friend. There are lots of people who need help and not just with money.
Retirement seems like a pipedream to me now but if by some slim chance if could happen I would love to just spend it spending time with my grandson, son & daughter-in-law and taking time for me. I’d love to ba able to do it without the worry of bills or health problems…hahaha.
If I do the things I’ve put off for retirement I’ll never have an idle moment. My 81 year old father has set a wonderful example I would like to follow. I want to try to be healthy so as not to be a burden on those I love. I want to help when I can where I can. Keep God first, then family, and finally fishing.
When I retire I’d like to pay it forward by providing college savings for my grandchildren and also give back to my community such as my local library and food bank.
When I retire I want to help others.