Retirement is an exciting prospect. Who doesn't want some newfound free time and money to spend? We need to plan ahead and save up to make sure we can truly enjoy it however we choose, so it's never too soon to start preparing.

Preparing for retirement doesn't have to be a daunting goal to lose sleep over. It’s more about cultivating healthy habits—little things that will make a big difference later on.

1. Budget

In order to secure a good income when you retire, we first need to take control of our finances. That means knowing exactly what you’re spending, ensuring that it’s less than you’re earning, and paying off any debts as quickly as you can afford to. If you’d like a little help in getting started, check out our Five Steps to Smart Budgeting.

2. Insure

We don’t want our preparation to be undone by life’s emergencies, so it pays to have a safety net. To do that, you can make sure that everything you value is insured—that goes for expensive gadgets, valuable jewelry, your car, house, and even your health. And, to protect the people who value you, there’s even life insurance.

3. Invest

This is the habit that unlocks our future. First, it’s important to set up a Rainy Day fund for emergencies not covered by insurance. It’s also a good idea put aside some money every month for big purchases, whether or not you have anything in mind. So when we do want to pay for that house deposit, car, or wedding, you'll have cash instantly without needing to rack up debt.

Now that you're on firm financial footing, you’re in a position to set up a great pension fund . The sooner you do, the less you'll have to pay each month, and the bigger your income will be when you retire. Then all that’s left is to sit back, relax and watch your money grow!

So, why not start now? There’ll never be a better time.