Here are six basic guidelines to keep in mind when developing your personal retirement strategy. 1. Pay Yourself First. Establish a dollar amount you can save comfortably every month. Always remember, you are entitled to keep a portion of what you earn. 2 . Don't Bank on Your House for Retirement Income. A house is primarily a home... not an investment for your retirement. While you may eventually trade down when you retire, consider the equity in your home an emergency reserve, not a primary source of income. 3. One Good Place to Save for Retirement Is a Company Retirement Plan. Remember to consider other tax-advantaged savings vehicles as well. 4. Make Retirement Your First Savings. If your disposable income is limited, save money in your retirement plan before funding long-term goals such as your child's college education. Remember, your retirement is the largest expense you'll ever have to fund. Use our retirement calculator to see how much you shou