Book excerpt: This is the first book of lifestyle and financial strategies fashioned expressly for those want to retire in fifteen years or less but have little or no money saved to do so. Late-start investors are the 51 million baby boomers who don't have nearly enough money put aside for retirement. They envision life after work differently--to some it is those years to be spent playing with grandchildren on the beach, to others it's the freedom to travel or enjoy a hobby that may bring in a few dollars. There is one certainty however: Those Golden Years sure can't be lived on a mere $3,000, which is the average amount fifty-year-olds in this country have saved. But there is no need to panic. With its unique combination of facts, wisdom, questionnaires, and real-life anecdotes, The Late-Start Investor is the key to a future of secure fulfillment for those playing catch-up. John Wasik's optimistic and effective advice does more than simply guide readers through the lifestyle assessment and planning; it also helps them create the "perfect" investment program for their vision of the future. His pointers reflect this group's need for limited risk, but keeps their dollars outpacing the ever-present enemy--inflation. The Late-Start Investor outlines what Social Security and pension funds contribute to the picture and how best to supplement them with stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. This book will give readers the confidence and knowledge to stop living in fear of the future and start saving for their dreams.