I’ve simplified my planning by following most of the steps you outlined above. Like you mentioned, I deal with the variables of retirement by controlling everything that’s within my power. And since most people in their 20′s and 30′s tend not to have too many financial responsibilities, this would mean reducing expenses as much as possible and saving as much as they can. As we get older, our expenses tend to increase. So I think now is the best time to save.

Another way I try to control what is within my circle of influence is by working on increasing my own marketable skill sets. A big part of investing for retirement is having the money in order to do so. Knowing the things you’re good at, things that also bring value to the marketplace, can keep you confident of having a source of income with which to invest.
.-= Darren´s last blog ..The Laziest Way To Start Investing Successfully =-.

When all is said and done, we can contribute money regularly and attempt to choose investment vehicles wisely, but what happens from there is mostly out of our control. Too much tweaking to produce a more desireable outcome could end up making things worse.
.-= Kevin@OutOfY0urRut´s last blog ..10 Ways to Buy a Car Without Getting Ripped Off =-.