Preface vii Acknowledgments xi Chapter 1: What? Me? Retire? 1 The Imagined Dichotomy 3 Two Goals and Some Non-Goals 4 Definitions and a Pencil 9 Start Immediately. Now. Right Away 13 Plan Your Prosperity 14 Chapter 2: My Goals Are What? 17 Why Is This So Hard? 20 Your Investing Goals, Simply 24 Potential Pitfall: Capital Preservation and Growth 27 Inflation's Insidious Impact 30 Three-and-a-Half Percent, Compounded 35 Chapter 3: The Secret Code--Asset Allocation or Benchmark? 39 Benchmark: A Road Map and Measuring Stick 42 Picking a Benchmark 45 The Big Decision: Asset Allocation 46 Potential Pitfall: Age Doesn't Equal Asset Allocation 50 Benchmark vs. Asset Allocation: What's the Difference? 52 Chapter 4: Time Horizon--Longer Than You Think 63 Potential Pitfall: Ignoring Opportunity Cost 66 Time Horizon: What Is It? 68 Time Horizon and Benchmark 72 Chapter 5: What's in a Return? 79 Growth Defined 83 The Past as a Guide? 87 Gordon Moore and Endless Innovation 97 Potential Pitfall: Unrealistic Expectations 100 Chapter 6: Getting That Cash Flow 105 Potential Pitfall: The All High-Dividend Portfolio 108 How Much Do You Need? 111 Monte Carlo: Not Just a Casino 116 Let's Get Simulating 117 Chapter 7: Can I Get There? 129 How Much Do You Have? 132 A Savings Plan 135 Chapter 8: Putting It All Together 143 To Benchmark or Not to Benchmark 146 State Your Goals 148 Know Where You Are 149 Picking a Sound Benchmark 150 Finding Professional Help 153 Avoid Being a Fraud Victim 155 And You're Off! 156 Appendix A: All Hail the Mighty Dow 157 Appendix B: Cash Flow vs. Expenses 167 Appendix C: Expense Categories 173 Appendix D: Personal Balance Sheet 177 Appendix E: Tax-Efficient Retirement Income Strategies 181 Notes 187 About the Authors 191 Index 193.