Impressive!

Last week I asked Morningstar.com readers to sum up their philosophies on investing during retirement in 15 words or fewer, and did they ever deliver. Posts rolled in fast and furiously, nearing 150 in number as of this writing.

Some readers kept their posts focused strictly on investing and other money matters; living frugally and managing downside volatility were key themes among many posts. Other posters interpreted their assignments more expansively; their comments reflect the view that a successful retirement depends on a lot more than portfolio performance.

Although I've tried to summarize the key themes in this article, there were many many more worthwhile posts than I could excerpt here. Please click on this link (http://socialize.morningstar.com/NewSocialize/forums/p/301800/3222133.aspx#3222133) to read the complete thread or share your own philosophy on managing your assets during retirement.

'I Just Want to Be Comfortable'Many users' retirement-related investment philosophies revolve around frugality, both in the years leading up to retirement and during it.

Tommygr9 dispensed this simple formula: "Save like mad. Live below your means."

Bujia is on the same page. "Before retirement: save and invest. After retirement: spend less than you earn."

Lsulaw10 provided a rule of thumb for how much to save, advising, "Save 10% of your income. Be disciplined, be consistent, stay diversified."

Melankfo believes that the starting point for financial success during retirement revolves around having reasonable--and realistic--goals. "I don't want to be rich--I just want to be comfortable."

Several posters also weighed in on the virtues of getting started early. Cliff, keying off of Albert Einstein's famous quote, advised, "Use the 'most powerful force in the universe' . . . compounding!"

Excerpt from:
Your Retirement-Planning Philosophy, in 15 Words or Fewer