Retirement is an exciting prospect. Who doesn't want some newfound free time and money to spend? To do that, however, you need proper retirement planning. You have to plan and save up to make sure you can truly enjoy it in whichever way you choose. And if you wish to retire early, it's never too soon to start planning.

Preparing for a happy retired life doesn't have to be a scary goal to lose sleep over. It’s more about developing healthy habits—little things that will make a big difference later on. To help you get started, we've put together information on the three habits of happily retired people around the world.

1. Budget

In order to secure a good income when you retire, you first need to take control of your 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. Additionally, you should use a retirement planning calculator to calculate how much money you would need, once you retire.

2. Insure

You don’t want your retirement planning process 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 your future. First, it’s important to set up a fund for emergencies not covered by insurance. It’s also a good idea to 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.

Once you're on a firm financial footing, you’ll be better positioned to set up a great retirement investment plan. However, 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, if you're wondering how to retire early - why not start your retirement planning right now?