1. Save early and often. If your employer offers a retirement plan, you can save regularly, because your contributions will be made directly to your retirement savings account through payroll. You won’t need to write checks or visit a bank to deposit your savings. You simply choose the amount or percentage of your income you want to contribute, and you’re on your way. Consider also saving in an individual retirement account (IRA). The earlier you start saving, the more time you will have to save before retirement.
2. Pay down debt and curb spending. Paying for debts that you’ve accumulated can rob your retirement savings efforts. Instead of paying for things that you could delay, find at a lower cost, or better yet, do without, cut back on spending and increase contributions to your retirement account instead.
3. Determine how much money you will need to enjoy your retirement. What will it take to live out your comfortable retirement? Start by using a retirement calculator like this one on msnmoney.com, which will take your current situation and future expectations into account. Consider also using the services of a financial planner for additional guidance. The Financial Planning Association and National Association of Personal Financial Advisors are good starting point to search for one.

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