Retirement is something that people plan in advance for years and years. If you manage to plan things correctly, your retirement years can wind up being some of the best of your life. With a little bit of planning and knowing the biggest regrets that others have had before you, you can make sure that you plan correctly and set yourself up for a pleasant retirement. Take a look at some of the biggest regrets that retired folks have and what you can do to avoid them.

Not Downsizing Their Home

Just because you can keep up with everything that goes into having a big home when you’re younger doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be able to do it when you’re older. Many people find themselves regretting retiring in their big house, which now leaves them feeling a little overwhelmed. The older you get, the harder it is to get around. Ideally, you should live in a place where you’re safe and don’t risk falling or hurting yourself in other ways.

Whether you move into an assisted living home or downsize to a smaller condo, the idea is to simplify your living situation for the minimum amount of stress.

Not Saving

A lot of people are so busy living in the moment that they forget about planning for the future. The problem is that when you fail to think ahead about your retirement, you can find yourself struggling to make ends meet. Time isn’t on your side when you’re retired, so it’s important that you start saving as early on as possible.

Get started putting savings away for retirement as young as possible in order to reap the maximum amount of benefit. If there’s one thing that people regret the most, it’s having to play catch up on their retirement savings. The sooner you can get started, the sooner you’ll reach your goals and acquire interest.

Not Paying Off Debts

Debt is a burden that you shouldn’t have to bear for too long. If you allow your debt to follow you into your retirement years, then it will bog down your finances. Make sure that you get rid of your debts as soon as possible to best plan for your retirement. The more debt you have, the less savings you have for retirement—it’s really that simple.

Not Living Near Family

The older you get, the more you start to realize the value of your loved ones. Older folks often realize that they wish they lived closer to their family. Not only is the company nice to have around, but it’s also extremely helpful when you get older and need a hand. Consider retiring somewhere that isn’t too far of a drive from those that you love most.