Retiring at a decent age with enough money is something that all individuals should aspire to. Far too many end up having to seek the help of a bankruptcy attorney, in order to re-establish their financial health. Although a good attorney can help ease the burdens of bankruptcy, such a choice should be avoided, as it can damage a person's credit and professional reputation. There are three big things a person can do in order to save money and prepare for retirement:
- Faithfully save a set amount of money each month to put toward retirement, and invest it wisely.
- Reduce expenses and pay off debt.
- Make more money.
Of the three, the third is sometimes the most difficult to accomplish, especially during times of a suffering economy. The older a person gets, the more difficult it becomes to increase income. It's important to plan and prepare, when young, to obtain a high-paying, stable job. It's vital to consider all aspects of a career, not just the amount it pays. Some of the highest paying post-graduation jobs are listed below. (Note: the annual wages listed reflects the average, first-year salary, and these may vary according to location and other factors.)
- Registered Nurse ($45,000): usually requires a four-year nursing degree from an accredited college or university, and there are usually quite a few jobs for nurses.
- Pharmaceutical Representative ($58,000): some states require college and special certification while others don't.
- Financial Analyst ($65,000): a four-year degree in economics and business will help one's resume get noticed in this field. The work involves a lot of math and statistics, as well as good communication skills.
- Network Systems Administrator ($68,000): nearly all of today's businesses require someone who can set up computer networks and security, so the job outlook for this career is good. A potential candidate should have a bachelor's degree in computer science and have good analytical skills.
- Engineer ($70,000): the world will always have a great need for good engineers. To become one, a student should get a bachelor's degree in one of the many engineering fields. A person's salary greatly varies from one field to the next.
- Actuary ($77,000): an actuary is someone who calculates the risk of a person, based on their lifestyle and health, to an insurance company. It's by these calculations that an insurance company sets their rates so they can make money. An actuary must become licensed and be very proficient in statistics and math.
- Software Developer ($83,000): software developers build programs of a wide range that include word processing software and games. A good developer should obtain a four-year degree in computer science.
- Investment Banker ($108,000): helping investors manage their money will also help the investment banker learn to invest his or her own funds. There's no required major for the job, but good investment bankers are proficient in math and economics.
