How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free offers inspirational advice on how to enjoy life to its fullest. The key to achieving an active and satisfying retirement involves a great deal more than having adequate financial resources; it also encompasses all other aspects of life—interesting leisure activities, creative pursuits, physical well-being, mental well-being, and solid social support. World-class author and innovator Ernie J. Zelinski guides you to: —Gain courage to take early retirement; in fact, the earlier the better. —Put money in proper perspective so that you don't need a million dollars to retire. —Generate purpose in your retirement life with meaningful creative pursuits. —Follow your dreams instead of someone else's. —Take charge of your mental, physical, and spiritual health. —Better envision you retirement goals — including where you want to live. —Above all, make your retirement years the best time of your life. What sets this retirement book apart from all the others is its holistic approach to the fears, hopes, and dreams that people have about retirement. This international bestseller (over 110,000 copies sold in its first edition) goes way beyond the numbers that is often the main focus of retirement planning in most retirement books. There are many ingredients of a happy retirement and several retirement planning tools that help retirees plan for their retirement in new and more meaningful ways. One of the most powerful tools is The Get-a-Life Tree that you won't find in any other retirement books. In short, the retirement wisdom in this book will prove to be much more important than how much money you have saved. How to Retire Happy Wild, and Free helps readers create an active, satisfying, and happy retirement in a way such that they don't need a million dollars to retire.
EJESSIC
Posted May 12, 2010
How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free was instrumental in my deciding to retire, and knowing that I could do it, no matter what. I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking about retiring, at whatever age. You don't have to wait for your 60s to do the deed, and this book can show you how to do it. Whether you are looking for inspiration, directions for how to do it, or the stories of others who have done it, this book is for you. Many of the people whose stories appear in this book have taken their lives into their control and are living their dreams in unimaginable ways, and I am, too. Thanks, Ernie, and How to Retire Happy Wild and Free!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.SmartyFL
Posted May 21, 2012
A good book for those considering retiring and those who have retired and haven't figured out yet how to be happy in their new free time. I look forward to controlling my time and activities without a work schedule dominating my choices, but wonder sometimes if I will feel a little lost when I quit working. This book provides lots of ways to help you decide how to spend all that new free time and even lots of ways to think about this big life change. I expect to reread it from time to time in the future whenever I need a nudge to enjoy a wider range of possibilities.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Ernie takes us on a trip through the various twists and turns that can make up a retirement life. With humor and clear insight he identifies important areas that are too often overlooked by those entering or preparing to enter retirement. His motto of retirement as a time for us to do what we want to do when we want to do should guide us all to a happier retired life. Ernie points out the little things that are important as he provides a nice overview of what to expect and how to prepare. Don't just read the book, learn from it and implement it. After all retirement is only the beginning.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.WendyJordan
Posted June 26, 2011
Wow...what can I say?
I'd give this book 10 stars if I could! I simply couldn't put it down and read it every chance I got! I found myself nodding and verbally agreeing with most everything said. What a refreshing change amidst a sea of staunchy retirement planning books. I just gave this to my workaholic dad on Fathers Day in hopes of him seeing the light. And to think it was denied by several publishers. I guess they're now eating crow because they didn't recognize how well it would be received.
I may only be 25yrs old, but I strongly believe this is a MUST READ for anyone over 21. Otherwise, look forward to following the crowd consumed only with wealth management, and completely miss out on the time of life where you can let loose, exercise your creativity muscles, and reignite your passion for life!
Ernie and I have become Facebook friends and I always enjoy reading his uplifting and encouraging posts. I look forward to reading his other books, The Joy of Not Working and Career Success Without a Real Job, because I'm confident they'll be just as stimulating.
In fact, I was so inspired by his writing, it has helped me uncover a purpose that I want to pursue going forward. I want to motivate and encourage retirees to expand their horizons and I'm soon launching a creative online retirement community that will provide a fun place to take action on the principles talked about in "How to Retire Happy, Wild & Free".
Thanks Ernie for your friendship and inspiration! :)
Sincerely,
Wendy Jordan
bellamystation
Posted March 24, 2011
This is a great book for people who have retired and find themselves feeling empty and wondering what they are going to do for the rest of their lives. Ernie gives wonderful suggestions for activities that are low-cost or no cost yet spiritually fulfilling. He explains that a common reaction to the abrupt change of going from a structured work schedule to whole days with no commitments can cause people to waste their lives sitting around watching TV (and we know it's not called the boob tube for nothing). I especially like how he stresses that money isn't going to cure your boredom; you have to find things that satisfy you inside and make you feel alive. I've read enough financial planning books and am glad to find one that takes real living into consideration. I have recommended this book to several friends already. I cannot say enough about how much encouragement you will get from How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free. Be prepared to enjoy yourself fully!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted February 3, 2011
Ernie is a great writer, he has such a wonderful way to help you look at retirement in a whole different light. There are so many aspects about retirement and our future that he helps you explore and discover. I couldn't put the book down. And the best part is on page 151-152 where he talks about being part of a senior community and he specifically talks about Sun City Center in Florida. It's the community that we have been going to for over 8 years and we purchased a home there last year. IT's a great place to retire - renew yourself. I have recommended this book to all my friends who are about to retire with me. ENJOY!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.JayO66
Posted October 16, 2010
The first time I read "How to Retire H, W, and Free" I tossed it aside as not applicable to me. Then for some reason I picked it up again and realized it was specifically for me, "young side of Boomer, worked entire adult life non-stop, collected every toy I could possibly want and astonishingly bored and unfulfilled. I sent an email to the author on my plight and he replied almost instantly with words of encouragement.
I have since started the process of changing my life. Retiring my executive position at a fortune 500 company and for the first time since college planning the rest of of my life with excitement and a little anxiety. Give it a read, I predict you will toss it away or something will click and your perspective will change.
World_Traveller
Posted August 2, 2010
In today's world of workaholics, greed, and materialism, Mr. Zelinski offers a fresh voice of moderation and living life.
Mr. Zelinski gives case examples of many people who have eschewed a lifetime of corporate servitude, and have chosen the road less traveled. Some people have learned to live on less money. Others retire early to pursue their dreams before the onset of old age. The book is a collection of people choosing to ignore the Pied Piper of Capitalism, and have created their own trail of life.
The road to a life of fulfillment has few signposts, and is difficult for even those of intelligence and independence. Knowing that others strive for independence, and the efforts they needed to achieve their goals has given me new ideas for my own life.
Mr. Zelinski, thanks for your breath of fresh air.
Jim18
Posted May 8, 2010
I recently reread Zelinski's book How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free. I first read it two years ago, just before I retired and reread it several years into my new adventure.
It is a diverse book with lots of ideas on how to live a creative retirement but I will highlight the one thing I find that makes this book truly unique. Most retirement books focus on how to have enough money to live comfortably but they miss one of the key aspects of retirement.
Our livers are devided into three parts.the "what am I going to do when I grow up stage", the earning a living stage and then retirement. Very little thought is focused on how a person plans to spend his or her time in retirement. Since this can fully be a third of our lives, it is extremely important to focus on how one will spend their time in retirement.
Zelinski focuses on this oft overlooked aspect of retirement. We are finally free of having to follow someone else's orders, to compromise so we can earn a living and now we can redefine ourselves in any way we choose. How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free is chocked full of ideas on how we can make choices which greatly increase our enjoyment during our golden years.
Dusty63
Posted February 15, 2010
I read this book a few months after retiring, and wished I had bought it months earlier. Zelinski describes the "upside" to not working a 9 to 5 job any longer and all the benefits you'll reap. It's a fun book and very optimistic. It gave me plenty of new perspectives and ideas for my retirement.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Duke12
Posted December 23, 2009
I Also Recommend:
I started off with high expectations given the title and the subtext. Although this is usually a set-up for disappointment, it ended up being my favorite read of 2009 (it's only Dec. 23, but I'm willing to call it). The book managed to fit an incredible amount of fantastic content covering so many considerations I hadn't thought of or just started to experience.
To put that in better context, I recently retired early from the financial industry, which gives me lots of time to read books that I can compare this one to. I have taken an active interest in all things finance related most of my life. After retiring, my wife and I were starting to encounter some of the issues in the book including not knowing what to do about being around each other all the time. We were doing quite well sorting them out one by one. With the help of this book we now know lots of other things to consider.
Another reviewer giving the book only 1 star quite astutely wrote that, "There are plenty of books about how to plan financially for retirement, but this book ignores that issue so glaringly." I could not agree more! That's what makes this read so special. I have enough books on creating a nest egg, setting up residual income, tax planning, asset allocation, entrepreneurship, personal finance, budgeting.. That list is endless. My personal collection fills a room.
Perhaps there are other books that address the same issues, but How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free is the first one that I've come across. There should be more like it. It focuses on the non-financial aspects of life and retirement from which so many could benefit. I'm not only recommending it here, but in person to friends, family and strangers. Why not? This is important information about what to consider to create a happy and fulfilling life.
George1977
Posted November 4, 2009
Ernie Zelinski is one of my favorite authors, and one of the best in my opinion, in the "finance" and "self help" categories. His approach to life and insight into what it takes to be happy is second to none. I have been reading and rereading his stuff for years now, and I am always excited and ready to take on the world when I finish one of his books. I recommend Mr. Zelinski's books to anyone trying to figure out this "life" thing we are all engaged in. "How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free: Retirement Wisdom That You Won't Get from Your Financial Advisor" is another home run from the Zelinski line up.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I don't love too many books except for crappy novels. Now that I have senior ADD, I can't usually pay attention to anything serious. This author cleverly sneaks in the most hilarious quotes from all sorts of famous people. By interspersing humor with incredibly good advice, he made this book a bible to me. I will read it over and over, something I wouldn't do with crappy novels. I really think the book is good for any age, because it's more about how to live whether you're retired or not.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.iamscrooge
Posted October 13, 2009
I am so excited about this book that I bought several copies and handed them out as gifts to friends! Ernie has really hit the nail on the head. I saw a sign the other day that said "Don't mistake your career for your Life", well Ernie's book How to Retire Happy, Wild and Free is written in such a wonderful way that it is a joy to read. And there is wisdom in his words. It is very positive and frequently humorous but it is also thought provoking and informative. Do you wonder what you will do when you retire? When you leave your JOB and your career role and go from outstanding in your field to Out standing in your field? Well Ernie has an answer for that, it is his Get-a-Life Tree. His Get-a-Life tree is a blueprint for you to discover the things that really make you happy and opens the doors to the endless possibilities for enjoyment and satisfaction in you daily life. Buy this book, you will be glad that you did, and while you are at it buy a couple of extras so you won't lose yours when you lend it to a friend,!
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Overview
How to Retire Happy, Wild, and Free offers inspirational advice on how to enjoy life to its fullest. The key to achieving an active and satisfying retirement involves a great deal more than having adequate financial resources; it also encompasses all other aspects of life—interesting leisure activities, creative pursuits, physical well-being, mental well-being, and solid social support. World-class author and innovator Ernie J. Zelinski guides you to: —Gain courage to take early retirement; in fact, the earlier ...