Design Your Dream Retirement: How to Envision, Plan For, and Enjoy the Best Retirement Possible

This is a excellent book. While not lengthy- and that in itself is a recommendation, as the book is written in a clear, succinct style- it is full of thought provoking questions and scenarios about the concept of retirement, or renaissance. The author challenges you to consider and envision what your retirement will look like. His position, and after reading the book I think I agree with this, is that we will have the kind of retirement we think we will have, good or bad. Thinking on, dreaming of, and proactively planning for retirement is s step few of us take, and yet many of us need to. It is beyond financial planning for retirement; not everyone does that, and the ones who do are not thinking about how they want to live on that money. The author guides through the thought process of envisioning what kind of retirement we want, in a well laid out map, with personal observations, things to consider, and challenging questions...many of which I had never considered myself. But I'm thinking of them now, and that is how all plans begin. Recommend this book for anyone who wants to retire.

Having recently entered the “renaissance” period of my life, Dave’s book is particularly relevant to my situation. It is very though provoking on how to make the most of this great opportunity of being free from the confines of a job. It is an enjoyable book and prompted many discussions with my wife on what we do from here. Dave does have a tendency to sometimes state the obvious, but it adds to the discussion because we overlook things and then get a different perspective on it.

I've been reading Dave Hughes's columns at RetireFabulously.com for the last year or so and I tell everyone these are the best columns on the realities of retiring you're likely to find. Having them distilled into a book, with bonus information and his first-hand experiences, first with anticipating his "renaissance" (a word I love and much prefer) and then living it, provides an invaluable resource for those who've reached that milestone and those of us starting to plan for it. I'll be telling everyone to read this, including my spouse!

The book is very well-written and takes into account the social and emotional aspects of planning a successful retirement.Many publications address the financial end of the process, but few deal with *everything else* that one should consider before leaving (or gradually transitioning) out of the workplace.And don't think that because you're 30 or 40 that this book isn't for you. It's very much for you!Planning for retirement shouldn't start 3-5 years before it happens.You'll not only enjoy this book but truly benefit from it.

After I got done reading the book, I felt I had gotten straight talk, good information and I had a new outlook. I felt more ready and excited for the future.

"I've been following Mr. Hughes's retirement advice for awhile and find it to be fresh, informative and unique. Having it in a book makes it convenient and essential reading. I highly recommend this for anyone considering retirement or lucky enough to already be there!"

Great book both my husband and I read it - I also took the time to type up all of the questions - so I can spend the time and answer them.I highly recommend it.Thank You

I have not seen a better book on this topic. Author is trying to be helpful rather than merely trying to make money for himself. Rare these days.