Make small investments:

In order to have enough for your retirement years you need to start investing. Be it in stocks, currency markets, real estate or any other avenue it all adds up to your overall earnings. Follow www.alfafinancials.co.za for a clearer understanding on how to invest in the forex markets.

Live within a budget:

You must save at least twenty-five per cent of your income in order to able to retire comfortably. Switch to a more frugal lifestyle, downsize your spending and start giving up on habits like going out to fancy restaurants, buying expensive gadgets, impulsive purchases or squandering your money on other extravagances. Also, try to steer clear of debts and pay off most part of your mortgages & loans like auto loans, student loans and credit card debts asap. To put it simply boost your savings and get out of the consumerist rut.

Develop a skill or hobby:

Alongside your day job start devoting time and pursuing your favourite hobby or activity. In your post-retirement years, it might provide a steady income source. You can start a blog, or freelance on the side-lines. You can also upgrade your skills by enrolling yourself for any of the easily-available and free online courses. In course of time a side gig might segue into your main earning that you can engage in with total freedom and at a more unhurried pace.

Health is wealth:

No one can discount the importance of a healthy lifestyle. Try to eat healthy, exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight in order to ward off diseases. A fit body means you have to spend a lot less on medical bills once you retire.

Two incomes are better than one:

Early retirement will be easier and faster usually if both partners in a marriage are working rather than if one were to be a homemaker. It will not only double your savings but a partner acts as a backup and expenses can also be divided. What's more it also contributes to your emotional and mental well-being.

Retiring early is not only for millionaires or lottery ticket winners but regular guys can do it too. You just need to start right away, build your lifestyle around that goal, stop putting up with the Joneses and stay your course. In a day and age when the majority can't seem to get out of the vicious cycle of living paycheck-to-paycheck and retirement seems like a far-fetched dream it's only imperative to take control, start organising your expenses, budgeting and setting clear-cut goals like retiring in your forties in order to find your equilibrium. After all, as someone has so rightly said," A poor life this if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare."