Books and beyond

What Color is Your Parachute? For Retirement: Planning a Prosperous, Healthy, and Happy Future
by John E. Nelson and Richard N. Bolles
Berkeley, CA: 10 Speed Press, 2010

I admit I picked up this book in error, mistaking it for the bestselling classic on "how-to-find-what-you-want-to-do-in-your-work-life." But this book is different. It deals with what comes after your work life: retirement. Whether or not you are nearing retirement, you may want to take a look. This book approaches the subject of retirement from a different angle. While other books emphasize savings, or social security benefits, or health plans, What Color is Your Parachute? For Retirement deals with questions to ask yourself concerning the passions in your life. What are your favorite skills? Where do you most enjoy using them? And how do you find a place and a job/hobby to use these skills? Geography and psychology also come into play. For instance, do you plan to move upon retirement? Will your new home support you financially as well as psychologically? Questions such as these will help you determine what you are saving for and how you will use this money in your retirement. Worksheets and self – assessment exercises round out this easy to read, comprehensive guide.