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b'While we all eagerly await our retirement years, some go in better than others-and preparing ahead of time will make a world of differences in your finances, your quality of life, and your peace of mind.

So, to make sure you do go in well-prepared, I constructed a list with the help of gobankingrates.com, cherry-picking some of their ideas, those that I encounter on a daily basis when advising clients.

1. First And Foremost, Check Your Emotional Readiness

Just because there is a magical retirement age of 65 doesn\'t mean you have to fir into what is expected. \\xa0You want to ask yourself why you are retiring. \\xa0Is it to launch into a life of leisure, or is it just that you are tired of what you have been doing for oh-so many years?

I find that many people say they want to retire, but the act itself is complicated and can touch up many issues, both financial and emotional. \\xa0Some soul-searching may be in order before you take this very important step.

2. Bone Up On Interests And Hobbies

What are you going to do in retirement? \\xa0I talk to some who say: "Nothing but play golf every day." \\xa0I understand this desire to get our of the rat-race and pursue a hobby, but retirement can be a very long period, and it seems an active person would grow bored within a few years.

So, are there any other interests or hobbies that excite your imagination? \\xa0Visiting a country of your great-grandparents or sailing to exotic locations? \\xa0Taking a world tour? \\xa0Writing a book? \\xa0Picking up the guitar or the saxophone again and forming a band? \\xa0Why not?!?

If this is the way you\'re thinking, a little pre-planning is in order. \\xa0Here are a few ideas.

Whether you are pursuing a passion or looking for extra income, use the years leading up to retirement to build the skills, resources, and professional network you\'ll need to earn additional income after you leave your current job.

3. Get Organized

The article suggests, and I quote: "Organization isn\'t just to make your life easier in retirement; it\'s also so loves ones can easily find key documents in case of emergency." \\xa0But organization can go a long way to clear the mind of clutter - and mental clutter can be your biggest enemy.

Also, you want to start mapping out a post-retirement budget. \\xa0When you\'re working, you\'re getting a nice monthly pay-check and maybe some corporate perks, but all that goes away in retirement.

So, where are your paychecks going to come from? \\xa0Do you have a pension? \\xa0When should you take social security? \\xa0How much can you spend of your savings to support your life and be sure your money lasts?

These are big questions and while some are easy to answer, not all can be determined simplistically. \\xa0Consulting a good Financial Planner can help greatly in this stage of preparation.

4. Avoid Lifestyle Inflation

The years leading up to retirement are when your income will likely be at its highest - use of this higher income to add to savings. \\xa0Don\'t let salary raises lead to lifestyle inflation. \\xa0Keep your budget in check and take a close look at your monthly expenses to identify what you can do without. \\xa0This gradual approach will let you significantly cut your monthly expenses without feeling the shock of adjustment, and the money saved will give you the added benefit of boosting your retirement nest egg as well.

5. Check Your Savings Numbers

Carefully check your retirement numbers before you abandon the safety-net of a regular paycheck. \\xa0Some advisors recommend having roughly 10 to 12 times your final salary saved up before you start your retirement. \\xa0I think you\'ll need more in line of 15 to 20. \\xa0Either way, the more, the better.

6. Coordinate Timing With Your Partner

It is fun to think of retiring together and immediately embarking on your elaborate travel plans, but if one of you continues to work for a little while, you can both benefit from the employer\'s benefit package.'