There are any number of reasonable ways to improve your life. Yet when you get right down to it, almost every method of self-improvement out there boils down to learning new things and acquiring new knowledge.

If developing a new skill or even learning a new language is on your personal or professional to-do list, consider this deal for a two-year pass to Cudoos giant archive of self-study courses and videos, available right now for only $29 (over 90 percent off) from TNW Deals.

With your one-time purchase, you get the all-access keys to Cudoos vast assortment of lessons covering literally hundreds of topics. Learn anything you want at any pace you want 24/7/365.

If youre into languages, your Cudoo teaching goes well beyond standard option languages like Spanish, French and German. In fact, you can find video-based courses in over 160 languages, including everything from valuable possibilities like Mandarin, Farsi or American Sign Language through more esoteric offerings like Kinyarwanda (the language of Rwanda), Romansh (spoken in Switzerland) or even Klingon. Yep, the one from Star Trek

If youre looking to start a new career, you can jump into one of more than 30 bundles of professional development training, including courses in marketing, conflict resolution, talent management, finance and more. If your computer skills could use a boost, pick from nearly 100 classes, covering everything from staples like Word and PowerPoint to handling Windows operation system issues.

There are even courses in speciality fields like CPR training, first aid, or even dealing with retail customers.

Basically, if its out there to be learned, you can probably get a leg up on understanding it with this limited time offer from Cudoo for less than $30.

Get this deal

Read next: Fellow Swifties, Taylor Swift just posted a mysterious video after wiping her social media profiles

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Learn a new language or skill with Cudoo's online course library only $29 - TNW

Before Google, if you wanted to find out about a person, you had to go to a library to pore through newspaper archives and public records. Now a newly-proposed U.K. law may force researchers back to the bookshelves orat leastto the British Librarys website.

New plans from the British government will make it easier for people to delete embarrassing or erroneous information about themselvesonline. U.K. Digital Minister Matt Hancock said in early August the government would introduce new privacy legislation that would expand the right to be forgotten, beyond just search engine results to any personal data held by a third party from social media sites such as Facebook Inc. to forums run by video gamecompanies, like Germanys Bigpoint GmbH, which produces massively multiplayer online game Battlestar Galactica.

The law will bring the U.K. in line with the European Union's existing General Data Protection Regulation, which takes effect in May 2018. But the new privacy rules contain exceptions for some official information, including medical records collected by the National Health Service. Also exempt arethe internet archives maintained by the British Library, which by law is required to collect a copy of all published material in the U.K. Since 2013, the Library has also been required to archive the entire U.K. web domain once per year.

The new legislation will make it far easier for people to expunge unwanted information, meaning archives such as the British Library - home to over 150 million books, manuscripts, and maps may have a more accurate record of online activity than Google, and will be of increasing importance for those looking to trace employment histories or undertake corporate due diligence.

U.K. law already recognizes a right to be forgotten but it has applied primarily to search engine results, such as those generated by Alphabet Inc.s Google and Microsoft Corp.s Bing, and people have generally had to prove that the information they wish to remove has caused damage or distress.

Instead of individuals having to prove damage or distress, material will now be removed on request unless private companies can prove a compelling public interest in keeping it up, said Max Campbell, a privacy lawyer at Brett Wilson Solicitors in London.

In cases where the content was originally generated by the person requesting its removal such as an old blog entry or a post on someones social media page that the person now finds embarrassingor misleadingitwill be much more cut and dry for you to withdraw your consent for data processing and have that data be deleted, Campbell said. You dont have to show that it is causing you substantial distress or damage, or indeed, even any. It is your data and you have the right to say you dont want it there.

The British Library said in a statement that it was pleased the government intends to exempt archiving that is done in the public interest and for scientific, historical research or statistical purposes. This would apply to all of the British Librarys archiving activity, including the UK Web Archive, the statement said.

The Library noted, however, that the government has not provided details of exactly how the exemptionwill be applied in practice. We are in ongoing dialogue with the Data Protection Bill team to ensure that possible risks to the activities of the British Library and similar institutions can be appropriately managed, itsaid.

The Library previously made it clear that it would not follow European regulations to allow people to remove traces of past events of their life from its records.

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The most common reasons people want something removed from the internetis because it is erroneous, said Yair Cohen, a lawyer at Londons Cohen Davis Solicitors, who specializein media and privacy cases. But he also saidpeople with oldcriminal convictions or who simply find some material about their younger selves embarrassing or misleading may wish to have that material removed.

Campbell said the U.K. data regulator is broadly sympathetic to removals from search engines, but that in cases of criminal convictions, especially for serious offenses,they will usually conclude there is an overriding publicinterest in keeping the material up. This is particularly true, he said, in cases involving misconduct or fraud in regulated professions, such as medicine, law, or accounting.

The exemption of these archives probably wouldnt cause any concern for those wishing to expunge unwanted data, who tend to care most about search engine results, Campbell said. In an ideal world,people would want to delete every trace of their past, he said. But practically speaking, having something still available on a newspaper website or library archive wont cause that much concern. What people generally are worried about is going for a job interview or a first date with someone and someone puts their name into Google via their phone and the first thing that pops up is something negative.

In 2014, when Google first announced it would comply with the European Court of Justice ruling that established the right to be forgotten, privacy advocates worried the company would try to get around the rules by inserting a note into search results highlighting the fact that it had removed the link and possibly even directing searchers toarchives like the Wayback Machine. In the end, the company decided not to include such notations.

The rest is here:
You Can Be Forgotten Online, But Not in the British Library ... - Bloomberg

College can be overwhelming, especially for incoming freshmen, but resources like the J.D. Williams Library are there to make life a little easier for students.

Whether studying late for an exam or avoiding a noisy roommate, the library offers the perfect escape. But it isnt justgreat for visiting in person; students can also access the library resources online wherever and whenever.

The librarys website offers plenty ofdatabases filled with information studentscan use for research papers or required readings. Anything from science to history and beyond, these resources have got your back.

Greg Johnson, who works in the archives at J.D. Williams Library, said library employees are the best resource for students trying to figure out where to start.

We (librarians) all know the collections well and can help researchers navigate through large amounts of information, Johnson said.

There are librarians familiar with eachmajor and emphasis to help conduct any research or answer specificquestions.

Librarian Savannah Kelly saidthe easiest way to find a qualifiedlibrarian is to click People under the About tab on the website and click on the Subject Librarians option.

To get further acquainted with the library, Kelly said students taking an EDHE 105/305 class or WRIT 101/102 will have a library session in which they canmeet a librarian and learn how to find books. However, Kelly said she encourages all students to reach out to the staff if they need help.

The writing center located on the first floor is another availabletool for students. It opens during select times in the week for students who cant find time to make it over to Lamar Halls writing center. This is especially useful when trying to cram in that paper during midterms and finals.

There are various places for students to study alone, but for group studiers, the library featuresstudent rooms and cubicles with large-screened computers to make group projects a little less stressful.

Students have to find a place that works for them,Kelly said.

One of the most important unwritten rules of the library is the permittednoise level allowed for each floor. Normal talking is allowed on the first floor, the second allows hushed talking, and on the third, complete silence is expected.

Computers are available in the Baxter Room next to Starbucks on the second floor, along with an array of newspapers and magazines. Additional computers are located in the lounge on the first floor, and they are loaded with many of the software programs needed for classes.

Forany video projects throughout the year, the library also offers an easy-to-use film and editing studio available toreserve online for an hour at a time.

Forgot your computer charger or leave atextbook at home? The front desk lendsoutthese items for a few hours free of charge. Studentscan also check out umbrellas, DVDs and CDs for short periods of time.

Cecilia Bortero, dean of J.D. Williams, and Stanley Whitehorn, head of library facilities, encourage students to come and talk about things they want to see in the library.

If there is anything you would like to see, to come and talk about it and share it, Whitehorn said.

Hesaid this year, due to suggestions from previous years, study rooms will now be available to reserve through the library website, instead of the former first-come, first-serve policy.

Whitehorn said any room is open is allowed for study space, except when reserved for meetings.

So, students, take advantage of J.D. Williams. Spend a night studying on one of the floors, typing atits computers orchatting with a librarian, but dont forget to keep it down.

Read the original here:
Back-to-school: Everything you need to know about JD Williams Library - Daily Mississippian

Community Spotlight is heard quarter past every hour on 97.9 WHAV. Greater Haverhill non-profit organizations are invited to submit news of events, fundraising appeals and other community calendar announcements. Click to use the Submit News Tip form to submit your information.

Book clubs, arts and crafts and much more are available at the Haverhill Public Library throughout the month of September. For more information and an updated schedule, visit HaverhillPL.org. All events are free and registrations can be confirmed online or by calling the library at 978-373-1586.

Sept. 5 at 10 a.m.: Film screening The Asphalt Jungle starring Sterling Hayden. (Held in the Auditorium)

Sept. 5 & 12, 6:30 to 8 p.m.: Two-part Excel workshop taught by Lydia Mitchell of Technology Haven. Participants in this all-ages workshop must have experience using a mouse and keyboard. (Register online or by calling the library; held in the Computer Lab)

Sept. 7, 7 to 8 p.m.: Haverhills Shoe History Buttonwoods Museums Kaleigh Pare presents this talk on the Queen Slipper City and delves into the history of Haverhills shoe factories. (Register online or by calling the library; held in the Auditorium)

Sept. 16, 10 a.m. to noon: Historian and Haverhill High School teacher E. Philip Brown will signing copies of his new book Greeks of the Merrimack Valley. (Held in the Auditorium)

Sept. 18, 7 to 8:30 p.m.: HPL Photography Club meets to trade tips and techniques. (No registration necessary)

Sept. 23, 1 to 3 p.m.: Dr. Allan Hughes presents meditation techniques to reduce stress, improve concentration and enhance mental clarity. (Register online or by calling the library; held in the Auditorium)

Sept. 28, 6 to 8:30 p.m.: The Librarys Thursday Night Book Club meets the last Thursday of every month. (Call the library for more information; held in the Milhendler Room)

Sept. 30, 2 to 3 p.m.: Make a harvest wreath free of charge. Adults over 18 only, please. (Registration begins online Sept. 15; held in the Milhendler Room)

After 2:34pm on Tuesday August 22nd, 2017 this article available to WHAV members only.

Related

Originally posted here:
Haverhill Public Library Announces Free September Events - WHAV News

Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images

Photo by Pablo Blazquez Dominguez/Getty Images

ELKINS (KFSM) If youre still in need of some solar eclipse glasses before the big event on Monday (Aug. 21), start making your way to Elkins.

The Elkins public library will be giving away about 500 pairs of the ISO-approved glasses beginning at 10 a.m. when the library opens.

The Elkins School District was originally planning on having students view the eclipse, and the library provided a pair of glasses for all the students and staff.

However, on Sunday (Aug. 20) district officials announced the school would be streaming the event live due to safety concerns. The students will be watching indoors so they will not be tempted to look at the sun directly. Parents can check students out to allow them to watch the eclipse at their own risk.

Library officials picked up the glasses and will be giving them away before the solar event.

More:
Elkins Public Library Giving Away Hundreds Of Solar Eclipse Glasses - 5newsonline.com

Kate Upton.Jordan Strauss/AP

Supermodel Kate Upton may be taking on more movie roles, but she is not acting around when she steps into the gym. In a recent interview with Shape, the 25-year-old actress spoke about how she worked her way up to lifting 500-pound weights and stopped looking at the scale.

Here's what she did to change her approach to diet and exercise.

Hip thrusts, sled pulls, and deadlifts are just a few of the exercises Upton's trainer Ben Bruno has her doing. But Upton had to work her way up to lifting heavy weights and wasn't quick to jump onboard.

"When I started training with him, he would say, 'Let's put 500 pounds on the sled,' and I would immediately say, 'I can't do that,'" she told Shape. "So he started standing on the sled so I couldn't see how much weight was on there. Now my attitude has changed completely, and I'm always pushing myself to do more."

And she actually has been pushing more and more weight on the sled, as Bruno posted to Instagram.

"To me, exercise is about working really hard in the gym to be healthy and feel good and confident about my body," she said. "Weight training helps me do that the best. Lifting heavy weights leans you out if you do it the correct way."

She has worked hard to learn how to lift the right way.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, especially for Upton who trains earlier on in the day. She likes to eat a lot of protein and calls herself "a female Popeye" because of how much spinach she eats.

"I always have breakfast because I can't do a hard workout if I don't eat," she said. "I usually have eggs and spinach beforehand or an omelet with a bunch of veggies in it and maybe a little feta. If I'm at the gym acting like a badass lifting all those weights, it would be pretty embarrassing if I fainted."

Upton claims that to deal with the pressure of the fashion industry and to have to be a certain weight, she took herself out of the conversation and started focusing on her strength not her size.

"Once I started focusing on being strong and doing weight training, I became the size that I needed to be for modeling," she said. "I changed the battle inside my head to be about strength and having balance in my life instead of fitting into a pair of jeans."

A few of the things Upton mentioned in her interview include wine, french fries, chocolate, chips, cheese, and bread and she definitely isn't into deprivation. While the model likes to stick with healthier options to fuel her everyday, she isn't afraid to indulge occasionally and even eats one "bad" food daily.

"I like to have a little 'bad' every day," she said. "Having a treat makes you feel like it's worth it."

Not only has Upton's confidence been boosted with weight training, but so has her physical strength, appetite, and desire to be a "badass" every day and it's inspiring us, too.

Read more here:
25-year-old supermodel Kate Upton says weightlifting completely changed her body and outlook on fitness - INSIDER

What if I could prescribe a pill that could prevent or treat high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, even depression and dementia? And what if researchers had extensively researched this pill and the result was: ample proof that its effective. On top of that, its practically free and has no bad side effects. As a matter of fact, its only side effects are improved sleep, increased energy, and weight loss.

Actually, folks, this powerful medicine exists. Its real and readily available for everyone. Its called intensive lifestyle change. Its active ingredients are physical activity and drastic improvements in diet, and it works well. Amazingly well. If it were an actual pill, no doubt millions of people would be clamoring for it and some pharmaceutical company would reap massive profits. But heres how you can get it. Intensive lifestyle changes involves knowledge and action which many doctors think is just too difficult to teach, and many patients think is too difficult to do.

Im here to report that intensive lifestyle change is doable, sensible, and essential for good health. Cardiologist Dr. Dean Ornish is a pioneer of intensive lifestyle change. I had the opportunity to hear him speak at the Harvard Medical School Lifestyle Medicine Conference in July. (You can listen to his TED talks here.) Dr. Ornish and his team started researching this program decades ago, and they have consistently found positive results.

So, what exactly that does their program look like? It emphasizes nutrition and exercise, as one would expect, but it also addresses psychological factors like loneliness, isolation, depression, and anger. Why? Because research shows emotional and social health is associated with a reduced risk of disease and premature death. He spoke about the importance (research-proven) of connection, intimacy, and love. He points out that a lot of bad behaviors such as smoking, drinking, and overeating are actually peoples attempts to self-medicate emotional pain.

Heres how it works: nine weeks of nutrition and meal prep instruction on a plant-based, low-refined-carb and low-trans-fat diet, as well as shared meals with the group; recommendation for and guidance in three to five hours of moderate physical activity, along with two or three strength-training sessions per week; stress management, communications skills, and relaxation instruction; and a support group. The goal is for patients to adopt these health-promoting strategies for the rest of their lives.

The overall message for physicians is this: an intensive lifestyle change program wont work if its just ordered by docs, or if patients are expected to engage with it based on threats and warnings. During the course I learned the importance of avoiding guilt, shame, and scare tactics, and getting away from labels such as good or bad. Any lifestyle change has to be meaningful and pleasurable. If its meaningful and pleasurable, people will do it. For these changes to be most effective, people have to want to continue them for the rest of their lives. The physicians job is to act as a coach for the patient, encouraging and guiding their efforts, without judgment.

The Ornish program is just one approach to diet, exercise, and psychological lifestyle changes. Dr. Ornish is honest about this, and he himself points out that many programs emphasize the same things as his does:

He also emphasizes that any increase in physical activity is desirable, and patients can follow the specific recommendations from their physical therapists, doctors, or trainers. And of course, people can use a variety of resources and methods to improve stress management, coping, and communication skills.

Interested in online resources for healthy diet, exercise, and psychological change? Heres some additional reading.

See the original post:
Intensive lifestyle change: It works, and it's more than diet and exercise - Harvard Health (blog)

Kristina went to the doctor and saw 250 pounds on the scale. That, along with a friend's unexpected death, quitting her job, and getting accepted to her dream graduate school program across the country, inspired her to make a big change so she did! Her weight-loss journey began in March 2014.

She found out about the ketogenic diet, which is basically a low-carb, high-fat diet, on Reddit. After doing a few hours of research, she made the switch. Starting in at around 250 pounds, she's lost 102 pounds so far! Kristina told POPSUGAR, "I first hit 100 pounds down on my 25th birthday (Nov. 4, 2016), and have bounced around a bit since then." She adds that a few stumbles are bound to happen on any weight-loss journey, "but I'm back at it and super close to a new low weight."

When following the ketogenic diet, Kristina's food intake is very low-carb (20 grams of net carbs per day), moderate in protein, and high in fat. She says, "I've counted calories from the beginning as well, because I do best with knowing the caloric value of my foods. Not everyone on keto tracks all their food, but it works for me. Right now I'm trying out new macros and going for high-protein, moderate-fat I want to build muscles! But it's still very low-carb."

Kristina currently practices intermittent fasting, so she eats all her food between 6 a.m. and 12 p.m. every day. She says, "It fits well with my work schedule and I prefer fewer, bigger meals to feel full." In the morning, she drinks an enormous coffee with MCT (medium chain triglycerides) oil, almond milk, half-and-half, and stevia. She eats eggs and bacon, then a huge salad with protein and a fatty dressing for lunch. "And then I'm done for the day! I drink at least a gallon of water a day, but don't snack. I've tried to cut out snacks since the beginning, because I much prefer having a full meal."

You may be surprised to hear that Kristina says, "I started off doing zero exercise, just focusing on my diet. I knew that if I changed too much, too fast, I'd burn out and quit. So for the first year on keto, I did essentially no exercise. I walked to school and took occasional yoga classes on campus, but nothing serious. I first joined a gym a year ago (in 2016, more than two years into keto) to get serious about exercise. I started off doing a lot of cardio, but now I'm focusing on weights. I work out five times a week, alternating days of heavy lifting (I do the StrongLifts 5x5 program) with days of moderate cardio."

Aside from losing over 100 pounds, Kristina is really excited about some nonscale victories, like being able to cross her legs. She also shares, "Fitting easily in an airplane seat with no anxiety was also amazing. Oh, and shopping is a LOT more fun now! I've finally gotten back into single-digit jean sizes for the first time since probably fifth grade I've been fat for a long, long time."

A huge motivator on her journey has been Instagram. Kristina says, "When I first started my weight-loss journey, it was easy to stay motivated because the weight was just falling off me I lost 70 pounds in the first year but things slowed down and got harder after that. When I reached 90 pounds down, I knew I needed something to help me get to 100 lost." So she created an Instagram for motivation ellipticalfragilistic. Kristina says, "I love seeing other people killing it at the gym, or making good food choices, or sharing transformation pictures. So I figured I should too!"

She says a huge key to her success was "making it a habit. Eating low-carb just became . . . what I did. A habit. Same with going to the gym five times a week. It was hard to adjust at first, and there were lots of days that I just wanted to go home and be lazy, but I pushed myself to make it a habit. Now it feels weird NOT to go to the gym! I love the saying that's something like, 'People say motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing. That's why we recommend it daily.' You have to make the choice to commit to it every day."

For #facetofacefriday let's talk about what these pictures AREN'T. So, a lot of times, I get comments saying things like "Beautiful in both," and while those are nice and well-intentioned, they rankle a little - because here's the thing: I don't make or post these to say "Wow look how ugly I was back then," or anything like that. It's just a visual representation of change. I've *always* thought I was pretty. This before pic used to be one of my favorites. I thought I looked damn good! So when I hear "Beautiful in both," I think, 'Yeah, never said I wasn't.' I have never said I was ugly when I was fat. Ever. Because I wasn't! I thought I was hot shit! I am a vain bitch and I always have been I didn't lose weight to be more beautiful. I lost it because I was tired of being uncomfortable in my body. Losing weight isn't just about looks. It's about hard work, dedication, quality of life, and wanting to achieve fucking GOALS. My face is more angular now. More conventionally attractive by society's standards. That's all. I wasn't ugly before. I was just fat. . . . . #weightloss #weightlossjourney #keto #ketoaf #ketogenic #ketogeniclifestyle #ketocommunity #ketosis #ketolife #ketofam #ketogenicdiet #lchf #lowcarbhighfat #eatfatlosefat #losingweightfeelinggreat #extremeweightloss #transformation #weightlossmotivation #weightlosstransformation #beforeandafter #beforeandafterweightloss #beforeandduring #100poundsdown

A post shared by Kristina (@ellipticalifragilistic) on Aug 11, 2017 at 2:27pm PDT

If Kristina has one piece of advice for other people on their own weight-loss journey, it's to "take pictures and measurements! I didn't take my measurements until this year, and I'm still kicking myself about it. Progress pictures are awesome, but having that numerical feedback (that's not the scale) is so helpful."

She also says, "Don't feel like you have to know EVERYTHING when you start. I'm still learning new things about keto now, three years in! Get the basics, and figure it out as you go." And don't feel like you have to make a huge lifestyle change all at once. "You don't need to eat totally clean AND live in the gym AND get a Fitbit AND start juicing AND do a detox, or whatever. Start where you start. That's better than nothing."

More:
Kristina Dropped 102 Pounds by "Doing Zero Exercise" in the First Year - POPSUGAR

by Christy Bieber for The Motley Fool @CNNMoney August 21, 2017: 10:16 AM ET

Well, the bad news is Americans are woefully behind on saving for retirement. The good news is, you don't have to be one of the millions of retirees struggling to live on a bare bones budget.

By following just five steps, you'll set yourself up for a retirement spent traveling the world, spoiling your grandkids, or, at the very least, not losing sleep over money.

1. Invest as early and as aggressively as possible

Investing early is the best way to get rich, because you'll need to invest more later to catch up if you wait. No matter when you start investing, though, the amount you invest should increase with your salary.

If you invest a fixed percentage of your income, then your contributions will automatically increase along with your salary. The question is: What percentage of your income is appropriate? While many think 10% is enough, this is actually low.

Consider how much money you'd accumulate if your investments returned an average of 7% per year, you earned the median income for an American worker (about $45,000 a year recently), you got small annual raises, and you contributed 10% of your salary to a tax-deferred account.

Age 25-34

$3,362.67

$336.27

$58,156.00

Age 35-44

$4,229.33

$422.93

$189,915.00

Age 45-54

$4,225.00

$422.50

$454,706.00

Age 55-64

$4,186.00

$418.60

$986,154.00

Your retirement income would be around $40,000, assuming you drew from your account for 25 years and continued to earn a conservative return of around 3.25% during retirement. That would put you far ahead of the average American retiree -- but you wouldn't quite be living in the lap of luxury.

These numbers also assume you started at 25, which many people don't. If you waited until 40, you'd need to save more than $1,200 a month -- about 35% of your wages -- to save up the same amount.

But what if you started early, invested aggressively (earning 7% per year), and saved 20% of your median income?

Age 25-34

$3,362.67

$672.53

$116,312.00

Age 35-44

$4,229.33

$845.87

$380,004.00

Age 45-54

$4,225.00

$845.00

$909,936.00

Age 55-64

$4,186.00

$837.20

$1,970,000.00

When you retired, your income will be around $81,000, which should be plenty -- especially when combined with Social Security -- to provide you with financial freedom.

If you've started later, you can still achieve a comparable income, but you'll need to save much more aggressively.

2. Automate your saving

When saving money takes effort, you're less likely to do it. In fact, one in six Americans responding to a survey weren't saving more because they hadn't gotten around to it.

Most people tend to stick with the status quo -- in fact, studies found participation rates in a 401(k) jump from 40% when employees must opt in to almost 100% when they must opt out. So use your natural inertia to your advantage: Automate investments by having a percentage of income diverted to your 401(k) or IRA. You're less likely to skip a contribution if it means having to submit paperwork.

3. Manage your risk appropriately

It's not just how much you invest that matters, but also what you invest in. If your portfolio is too conservative, your savings won't grow fast enough to provide you with a sizable retirement income. On the other hand, if you chase growth recklessly and ignore the inherent risks of your investments, you could be left with nothing.

Consider the difference between a conservatively invested traditional IRA and an aggressively invested IRA, assuming you contribute $5,500 per year to this tax-advantaged retirement account from age 25 to age 65:

If you invest in a conservative blend of stocks and bonds and earn 4%, your account will be worth $543,546.

If you earn a 7% return by investing primarily in stocks, your account will be worth $1,174,863.

Over time, that 3% difference in performance would more than double your money. Ironically, investing too much money in "safe" investments like bonds can be more risky than keeping most of your portfolio in stocks, because the stock market is much more likely to turn your small monthly investments into a livable income many years down the road.

You should tailor your investing strategy to your personal risk tolerance, but err on the side of being aggressive when you're young and still have time to recover from downturns. As you near retirement, you can gradually switch to safer investments in order to protect the capital you've built up.

4. Watch out for fees

Investing is typically not free. Some 401(k) accounts have fees, and mutual funds generally charge both annual fees and transaction fees. While you can't entirely escape these costs, you should know what you're paying and do everything you can to minimize the fees you pay.

Lets say you start saving at age 25, invest $5,500 for 40 years until age 65, and earn a 7% return on your investments. How much could fees ding your savings?

If you paid a 0.25% fee, you'd end up with an account worth $1,099,175

If you paid a 1% fee, you'd end up with an account worth $902,262

If you paid a 1.5% fee, you'd end up with an account worth $792,654

Over the course of 40 years, paying a 1.5% fee instead of a 0.25% fee would cost you $306,500 -- enough to cover expensive healthcare or a few nice trips around the world.

If you're investing through a 401(k), then your options are somewhat limited, and most of the mutual funds you can choose from will likely charge around 1%. However, if you invest through an IRA, your choices are almost limitless. There are plenty of low-cost exchange-traded funds that charge 0.25% or less for a diversified basket of stocks. A fund that tracks an index is a great choice for an investor who wants to benefit from the stock market's growth without assuming the risk and work involved in picking individual stocks.

5. Stick to the plan

Once you've carefully laid your plan for retiring rich, you need to adhere to it religiously. Even a slight and temporary deviation from the plan -- say, suspending your contributions for a few months, tapping your retirement account to cover unrelated expenses, or selling a holding early in an attempt to reap short-term gains -- could set you back big-time.

Related links:

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7 of 8 People Are Clueless About This Trillion-Dollar Market

If you put your contributions on hold, you'll lose out on both the money you should have contributed and the compound interest it would have achieved. If you make an early withdrawal from a tax-advantaged retirement account, not only will you cost your future self far more than you're withdrawing, but you may also incur income tax and penalties on the amount you distribute. It's not worth giving up your future financial security for anything you'd do today. When you're retired and living in comfort and financial security, you'll thank your former self for the years of discipline and sacrifice.

CNNMoney (New York) First published August 21, 2017: 10:16 AM ET

Read the original:
5 simple steps to retiring rich - CNNMoney

Jessica Dickler, CNBC Published 1:00 p.m. ET Aug. 21, 2017

The idea of having a retirement nest egg of $1 million is a lot of money, but can you make it work these days? Sean Dowling (@seandowlingtv) has more. Buzz60

Not every business will succeed, and a ROBS carries one particularly notable risk: You could jeopardize your retirement.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

For many soon-to-be retirees, a cool $1 million sounds like substantial savings goal, yet that largely depends on where you live.

In some parts of the country, it will barely last a decade.

"It's the benchmark everyone has in mind but it's important to be more specific, there's so much range across different states. Your personal situation plays a big role," said Mark Evitt, features editor at GOBankingRates.

The personal finance site compared average expenses for people age 65 and older, including groceries, housing, utilities, transportation and health care in every state to come up with how long a nest egg of $1 million would really last.

Top 5 states where your dollar will last the longest:1. Mississippi$1 million will last: 26 years, 4 months2. Arkansas$1 million will last: 25 years, 6 months3. Oklahoma$1 million will last: 25 years, 2 months4. Michigan$1 million will last: 25 years5. Tennessee$1 million will last: 25 years

It's no surprise that dollars stretched the furthest in states like Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee, where retirees could live a life of leisure for at least a quarter of a century.

"One of the benefits of living in the Southeast is that the cost of living is significantly lower," Evitt said.

However, in Hawaii, where residents pay roughly 30% more for household items across the board, that same amount will only get you just shy of a dozen years largely because of the cost of living and pricey real estate.

Top 5 states where your dollar will last the shortest:1. Hawaii$1 million will last: 11 years, 11 months2. California$1 million will last: 16 years, 5 months3. Alaska$1 million will last: 17 years, 0 months4. New York$1 million will last: 17 years, 1 month5. Massachusetts$1 million will last: 17 years, 4 months

(If you are thinking more outside the box, here are the world's top 10 retirement destinations.)

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How long $1 million will last in retirement - USA TODAY