10 Smart Money Moves to Retire

Last updated Feb. 15, 2026 | By FinanceBuzz Editors

Do you dream of a stress-free retirement? Maybe even an early retirement? (Now we're talking!) Of course, you do — you're human, after all.

Unfortunately, there's a common mistake that holds people back from making that dream a reality: People often make a mental checklist of things to do by the time they retire when they should really have those things done five to ten years before retiring.

If you're looking to retire by 65 (or sooner), you'll want to have everything below checked off before 60.

But have no fear! If you don't have one checked off yet, this page will show you how to get started.

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