Work toward your own financial Independence Day

It’s almost the Fourth of July — time for fireworks, picnics and a reflection on all the liberties we possess in this country. But if you’re going to enjoy the freedom to do the things you want, especially during your retirement years, you’ll want to take the steps necessary to achieve your own “Financial Independence Day.”

Here are a few suggestions for helping you reach that goal:

• Liberate yourself from debt. For most of us, a certain amount of debt is unavoidable. But the greater control you can gain over your debts, the better off you will be, because any dollars not spent in paying debt...