The problem with getting ahead by cutting coupons, watching your money like a hawk and basically living cheap is that when you become rich by living this way, you are still cheap. I do not mean to insult anyone but I personally feel that life is too short to forego enjoying it. It really is.

There are countless opportunities out there to increase your means in order to either pay off debt or increase your lifestyle. The path you choose is entirely yours.

My own path has been a combination of approaches. First, I cleaned out my closets and began selling on Ebay. Did I make a lot? No, but a few hundred dollars sure was enough to get me inspired! I now sell on a continuing basis on Ebay, primarily items that are drop shipped so I maintain no inventory. Look around site and see what sells and then duplicate it. My Ebay income now is a few hundred dollars a month and comes in handy.

Are You Prepared For A Life of Leisure?

Consider These Numbers…

"At end of WWII, there were 42 workers paying into Social Security for each person receiving benefits. Today, barely three people contribute for each recipient. Projections are that by 2030, when most baby boomers will have retired, just two working people will contribute for each person receiving benefits. (Social Security Administration, Trust Funds Report, 1992)." (Saperston Asset Management Inc.)

"Social Security benefits will replace only 16% of income of married couples earning $50,000 to $100,000 and only 9.5% of income of married couples earning $100,000 and only 9.5% of income of married couples earning $100,000-plus. (Office of Research and Economic Analysis, Pension and Welfare Administration)." (Saperston Asset Management Inc.)

"Working people tend to think their retirement lifestyle will be better than their current lifestyle, but retirees report their standard of living has declined. Example: Twenty-six percent of workers say they are "just making ends meet," but only 16% think they will live this way in retirement. Of retirees, 20% are "just making ends meet," while 16% describe their pre-retirement lifestyle this way (Employee Benefit Research Institute)." (Saperston Asset Management Inc.)

Is this reward for a life of ardent labor and selfless devotion? I would like to think not. I did not write this article with intent to trouble you, instead I have written it in hopes of awakening you to issue before it's too late.

Now that we have discussed problem, let's discuss some solutions.

If you're still in your youth, roughly between ages of 20 and 35 you still have time to start a traditional savings plan that will over time build you a comfortable nest egg for retirement. But my main focus in this article is to help those with much less time before retirement.

What do you do when you only have a few years left before retirement and you realize that you don't have enough set aside to live life of luxury and leisure that we all hope for. Should you put your dreams aside and continue to work through your golden years? No one should ever have to do this. No, instead I propose you take fate into your own hands, flip it upside down, and shake it until his pockets are empty. Than pick up cash dust yourself off, and enjoy your life.

Ways to "Flip Fate" - Retirement Plans & Solutions