If you were to retire today, what would your next life look like? Would it be of felicity or regrets? Well, just like American Author Gordon Hinckley said, you can’t build a great building on a weak foundation; you must have a solid foundation if you’re going to have a strong superstructure.

This means for you to enjoy your golden years, you have to take some steps to build the financial cushion that will fund it all. The current retirement age in Kenya stands at 60 years.

While many people, especially those in their twenties, may think they have a very long way to go, the fact is the earlier you start preparing for your retirement, the better.

The whole planning begins with thinking about your retirement goals and how long you have to meet them. Then you need to look for the best avenues to soak your money to enable it to multiply.

Here are effective ways to prepare for your retirement.

Start a Hobby

Develop an enjoyable hobby long before ending your career. We’ve seen many senior citizens turn to their hobbies as the main source of income.

MPs plot to reduce civil servants retirement age to 55

It can be rearing chicken, farming, or any other business that can help you settle your small bills. Acquire marketable skills to avoid failure.

Utilize your leave and any other off-duty time

Make your leave and off days productive. Don’t spend your after-work hours sleeping or watching TV but use them to learn a skill as it will count in the future.

Invest for your retirement

Soak your money in lucrative havens to multiply as you approach your golden years. There are various ways you can invest for your retirement, including starting a business, farming, buying rental property, or having shares that pay good dividends.

Pension schemes also provide an easy way for people to save money during their working years and access funds when they retire. Individuals can invest in pension schemes by making monthly deposits of as low as Sh200.

This is how you can ensure you’re not cash poor after retirement

Good investment will grant you financial stability meaning you will not be a bother to family and friends when you are finally old and not working.

Build yourself a home

Build yourself a home before ending your career to avoid rental costs after retirement.  You can take a home construction loan as early as possible to allow for enough time for repayment before you retire.

Also, plan to move out of big cities after retirement to avoid too much cost at a time when you have limited financial resources. Unless you can afford a city lifestyle, relocate to a less expensive town where your funds can sustain you.

Learn to live a simple life

If you never built a house in your rural home, don’t use your retirement package to build but instead look for cheap alternatives. Avoid expensive products that will drain all your funds.

Plan your family early

By the time you retire, your children should be above 18 and self-reliant. This will enable you to handle any other dependents easily.

When you have retirement planning, you will have a sense of financial independence and freedom without compromising your dreams.