A secure, comfortable retirement is every worker's dream. And now because we're living longer, healthier lives, we can expect to spend more time in retirement than our parents and grandparents did. Achieving the dream of a secure, comfortable retirement is much easier when you plan your finances.

Start a budget, and to make it fun by writing down how much you think you're spending on your living expenses with food, clothing, investing, entertainment, etc. The next step is to keep track of all your expenses and don't cheat,or try to keep numbers in your head, write them down. This will pay you dividends later on. Just make sure you're correct.

Now,lets see what you have. You should be viewing a detailed record of what comes in and what goes out. The fun part is actual expenses minus initial estimates. Did you have a loss? Almost everyone comes out in the red. See what changes you need to make in your habits to meet your goals. Just little things can mean a lot, also, living below your means really works. Perhaps you can save by simply cutting out HBO and some subscriptions to magazines. Buy a water filter instead of fancy named bottled water. Really watch your heating and air conditioning, use a fan when possible. Less costly gifts, and don't assume that fixed expenses are completely fixed. Try refinancing at a lower rate. If you have term life insurance get some advice about a lower cost. Don't change your life insurance if you have a whole life policy, that is hardly ever in your best interest.You might even discover that by spending less on some things you don't care so much about, you can spend more on things you really do care about.

There is a shocking amount of personal ignorance in Amercia about personal finance. All through our educational schools and universities practically nothing is taught about financial planning, budgeting, or investing. They need at least an introduction to financial literacy, and budgeting, the old mantra of, "Get a good education, get a good job," just will not work in this age of technology.If your in this category, the first thing you should do, is to go online to the Federal Government's website at mymoney.gov where they have an excellent array of articles you can readily understand more about your money.Inculded in their information are, retirement estimators and benefit calculators which you can have fun with. So get ready, it's not that boring.