With so many plans and advice out there to help you choose the right path to retirement, making sure you pick the one that’s best for you can be daunting.  Here are eight smart ways to get you started on the road to a comfortable retirement:  1. Put together a retirement savings strategy  Decide the amount you will need to save by determining your desired income throughout retirement.  Think to yourself, "How much money will I need to have saved by the time I retire?" Then make the adjustments needed in your current savings and spending patterns to achieve your goal.  2. Create a retirement income strategy  Saving for retirement is one thing, but knowing how you'll turn your savings into income that will last throughout retirement is completely different.  Consider how much income you'll need each month, and which income-generating financial products could help you get where you want to be.  3. Make saving for retirement a top priority  Find ways to rearrange your budget to fit your new commitment. This will help you stick to your savings plan.  Some ways that will help you save could be dining out less, paying attention to your spending and avoiding unnecessary purchases.  You could also work freelance or use your hobbies as a paid service to bring in additional income.  4. Open a new savings account — and pay yourself first  An adequate savings account will equip you to better handle emergencies and help to avoid withdrawing from savings purposed for retirement.  You may also set up an automatic transfer to your savings account every payday that goes in before any other payments or purchases are made. You should do this until you have accumulated at least six months' worth of expenses.  This may seem like obvious advice, but taking on too much debt can take years or even decades to settle. During this time, saving for retirement will be very difficult.  Another way to manage debt is to pay your credit card balance in full every month and do your best to resist the temptation of overspending on big-ticket items.  6. Pay off debt sooner than required  This can be done by paying more than the minimum monthly payment on car payments, student loans and other high-debt items. In doing so, you will lower the amount of interest you'll pay in the long run.  This will also free up more income, allowing you to save more for retirement.  7. Plan for the unexpected  The last thing you want to do is run out of money in retirement. Consider future goals and dreams. You will also want to consider today's longer life spans and the impact of healthcare costs in the event of an unexpected long-term illnesses.  Do your homework and change what you're doing to save more for your future.  8. Find a financial professional you trust  Consider all the things a financial professional can help you with prior to committing. Determine if your risk tolerance lines up with his or her recommendations.  And no matter what, if something feels a bit “off” with a financial professional you're considering working with, trust your gut.  It is possible to retire "smart," but it is going to require careful planning, discipline and oftentimes some help from a professional you can trust.  Follow these suggestions, and you'll be well on your way to achieving the retirement you desire.  Edward Sota is a partner at Safeguard Investment Advisory Group, LLC. For 20 years he has helped families with financial planning, wealth management, life insurance and long-term care insurance, as well as advanced estate planning. Sota's process is comprehensive and includes extensive client input, the creation of a realistic financial plan and ensuring client understanding. Sota attributes a great deal of his success to his family, which includes his wife, Kathy, and his three children: Hailey, Alyssa and Christopher. He's also an active member in his church and assistant scoutmaster for Boy Scout Troop 454 in El Dorado Hills. He holds California Life-Only and Accident and Health licenses (#0C16747), holds a Series 65 license, and is registered through the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA).  [The content provided through this article and www.nydailynews.com should be used for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional advice. Always seek the advice of a relevant professional with any questions about any financial decision you are seeking to make.]  For more DAILY VIEWS, The News' new contributor network, click here.
Saving and income strategies, along with keeping debt in check, are just some of the smart ways to retire in comfort.