Mm interesting one. I think first you have to ask the question 'what does it mean to retire'. If retire means to stop doing something you dislike or feel you have to do, in favour of doing what you want to do, then there is no perfect age, except for the age you are now!

If to retire means to take myself out of the picture, stop doing anything useful or productive, then I never want to retire.

Why is retirement seen as a time of self indulgence and possibly rest and relaxation, but only in our later years? Why can't we do that every week?

If your self indulgence is to work at a job you love and are passionate about; your rest and relaxation as simple as listening to music or spending time with family and friends, then you can retire today.

I think the guys in the picture have it right.

Engraving (Qalam-Zani) Vase

A number of books have changed my life in the past few years but the first and most valuable was 'Don't sweat the small stuff - and it's all small stuff' by Richard Carlson. Its most powerful message is perspective; the ability to examine a situation in the 'grand scheme of things' and to decide how much power you afford it to affect the important things in your life.

A simple but powerful example was in how I reacted to something as trivial as the children (or husband) breaking a vase; was my need to get angry with them as important as my relationship with them!

I almost never get stressed or angry about being caught in traffic or when my flight is delayed; there is nothing I can do about it and it's usually nobodys fault. For me it's usually an opportunity to listen to more music r to do more shopping!

These are just a couple of examples and it was often reading between the lines that had the impact.

For many people these solutions will seem obvious, but if they're not, I would recommend Richard Carlsons book every time.

Vivienne.