Retirement planning

3. Get smart about your finances. Making savvy financial decisions in all areas of your life will mean you'll get to where you're going easier and faster. Pay off your credit cards as soon as you can. When you buy a home, don't fall in love with the original features; think about the resale value and get the best house you can for the money. Shop smart for groceries, clothes and entertainment, and your money will grow and grow.

4. Scale down rather than up. To build a retirement nest egg, scale down your lifestyle and get used to living on less. When you get a raise, put it away for retirement.

5. Rely on professional advice. Just as some dieters do better in a diet program than on their own, many investors do better when they have a professional guiding them.