Fiscal Fitness: 8 Steps to Wealth and Health from America's Leaders of Fitness and Finance

256 Pages·2008·0.68 MB·English

by  Matthew J. Rettick

“This book has collected valuable information regarding a
number of financial products for the accumulation and
decumulation stages of one’s life, and explained the products in
an engaging and clear manner, without overlaying too much
technical information. I feel that the coverage of the book is
excellent for most people who are not specialists in the invest-
ment world, and even has much information for those of us who
specialize in investments and insurance. Although I have been
teaching in these areas for over 25 years and have worked on
Wall Street, I learned a lot and plan to use this book as a helpful
guide to financial planning for my own retirement.”
—Dave Babbel, professor of insurance and finance,
The Wharton School of Business
“Fiscal Fitness breaks down barriers between fitness and
finances—explaining why both are so important to enjoying a
full life. In Fiscal Fitness, Jack LaLanne and Matthew J. Rettick
provide readers with sound advice and a ‘game plan’ for achiev-
ing health and wealth for a lifetime.”
—Jeff Fisher, NFL head coach, Tennessee Titans
“Whether fiscal, physical, or getting ready for a ballgame,
it’s all in the preparation. LaLanne was a childhood hero of mine.
Matthew Rettick has become an adult hero of mine. Matthew
and Jack show you how to push to stay in shape physically and
financially so that you can pull out a ‘fun’ retirement. Now, get
back to work!!”
—Mike Veeck, author of Fun is Good, co-owner of
five minor-league baseball teams, including the
Charleston RiverDogs
“The wisdom of Jack LaLanne has inspired generations of
Americans to get healthy. In this book, LaLanne and Matthew
Rettick make us healthy, wealthy, and wise. Ageless and price-
less reading. I recommend it!”
—Jordan Rubin, author of New York Times
best-seller The Maker’s Diet, and
founder and CEO of The Garden of Life
“Considered the Godfather of Fitness, Jack LaLanne KNOWS
fitness. He has been impacting lives for over 70 years, which is
why the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports hon-
ored him with a Lifetime Achievement Award. He is a successful
pioneer in the health and fitness industry.”
—Melissa Johnson, executive director, President’s
Council on Physical Fitness and Sports
“It is brilliant to bring the areas of financial and physical
fitness together! As someone who has officially entered my 50s,
these are the two areas of greatest concern and challenge for
me. As my financial advisor, Matthew Rettick has helped posi-
tion me for future financial security. For those who want to live
life to the fullest, this book is a must-read!!”
—Nancy Alcorn, founder of Mercy Ministries
“Fiscal Fitness is full of expert advice. Jack LaLanne and
Matthew J. Rettick provide readers with a clear roadmap to
achieving health and wealth today, tomorrow, and years ahead.”
—Ken Dychtwald, PhD, author of The Power Years: A
User’s Guide to the Rest of Your Life
“This is the rare book that not only shows you how to live
longer and healthier, but also have the financial security to re-
ally enjoy those extra years.”
—Ed Slott, author of Your Complete Retirement
Planning Road Map
“Fiscal Fitness will be the blueprint for successful, vibrant
aging! Jack LaLanne and Matthew Rettick have blended their
talents and energy to create relevant solutions for physical and
financial longevity.”
—Deborah Redder, creator of the SilverSneakers
Group Exercise Program, and Healthways director-
instructor, development and activity programming
“Fiscal Fitness offers clear and practical advice that’s better
than gold! Do what these two legends suggest, and you too will
see your financial and physical health improve beyond mea-
sure! It’s a must-read!”
—Alan W. Altmann, international speaker and author
“I have always believed that we are four-part creatures:
spirit, mind, body, and wallet. Get the latter two in shape and
you’ll be amazed at what happens to your spirit and mind. If you
don’t believe it, let the latter two go and see how well you do.
Matt Rettick and Jack LaLanne are two people who can help you
get a complete Fiscal check-up and put together a training pro-
gram that will not only help you live long, but to live long and
well!”
—Mitch Anthony, author of The New RetireMentality
“If you neglect your physical or financial fitness, you will
jeopardize your retirement. It’s that simple. Matt Rettick and
Jack LaLanne offer solid advice for both the body and the bank
account. This book is rich with information on how you can take
immediate action and get control of the two most important
elements to a long, healthy retirement—your financial and physi-
cal health.”
—Dan Wiesner, CEO, Wiesner Publishing, Inc.
“Whether you have already hit the Big Five-Oh or live in
that neighborhood, everyone needs to be planning now for the
second—and perhaps the best—50 years of life. I Can think of no
better coaches for a vibrant Second 50 than Jack LaLanne and
Matthew Rettick.”
—Daniel Perry, executive director,
Alliance for Aging Research
“Health and money may be the two most frightening issues
facing Americans today...but Jack LaLanne and Matthew Rettick
have a plan that works! Fiscal Fitness combines the wit, pas-
sion, and accumulated wisdom of these two great masters into a
fun and powerful program for success.”
—Frank Maselli, CIMC, president,
The Frank Maselli Company, Inc.
Advanced Training for Financial Professionals
“Living Longer, more prosperous lives is a goal aspired to
by most Americans, and talked about by many politicians. Now,
Matthew Rettick and Jack LaLanne show you how to take con-
trol of your physical and financial futures. If you are ready to
make positive changes for your future, you must read Fiscal
Fitness.”
—Kevin R. Wingert, president,
American Investment Life Insurance Company
“In these pages, Jack LaLanne and Matthew J. Rettick guide
you through your two major obstacles, the critical physical and
financial hurdles, all the way to your goals. Follow their plans
and you will enjoy tremendous results.”
—Charles “Tremendous” Jones, author of
Life is Tremendous
“My late husband, Loren Dunton, created financial plan-
ning, and founded the multi-trillion-dollar financial planning
industry. Loren would consider Fiscal Fitness to be of historical
importance in the evolution of personal financial planning.”
—Marta Dunton (the “first lady” of financial
planning), widow of the founder of financial planning
“Fiscal Fitness is the most beneficial book ever for achiev-
ing physical and financial success, starting at any age. Jack
LaLanne and Matthew J. Rettick have created a unique volume
that is certain to become a best-seller among financial and self-
help titles.”
—Forrest Wallace Cato, RFMA, RFC, editor of
Fiduciary Legal Report and Success Plan,
former editor of Financial Planning and Trust & Estates
magazines, and author of
Terrible Truth About Financial Planning
Fiscal
Fitness
8 Steps to Wealth & Health
From America’s Leaders of
Fitness and Finance
Jack LaLanne
Matthew J. Rettick
Franklin Lakes, NJ
Copyright© 2008 by Jack LaLanne and Matthew J Rettick
All rights reserved under the Pan-American and International
Copyright Conventions. This book may not be reproduced, in whole or
in part, in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval
system now known or hereafter invented, without written permission
from the publisher, The Career Press.
FISCAL FITNESS
EDITEDBY KARA REYNOLDS
TYPESETBY MICHAEL FITZGIBBON
Cover design by Rob Johnson/Johnson Design
Printed in the U.S.A. by Book-mart Press
To order this title, please call toll-free 1-800-CAREER-1 (NJ and
Canada: 201-848-0310) to order using VISA or MasterCard, or for further
information on books from Career Press.
The Career Press, Inc., 3 Tice Road, PO Box 687,
Franklin Lakes, NJ 07417
www.careerpress.com
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
LaLanne, Jack, 1914–
Fiscal fitness : 8 steps to wealth and health from America’s leaders
of fitness and finance / by Jack LaLanne and Matthew J. Rettick.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 978-1-56414-988-6
1. Finance, Personal. 2. Physical fitness. I. Rettick, Matthew J.
II. Title.
HG179.L253 2008
332.024—dc22
2007046872
Introduction 7
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Dedication
To the love of my life, the wind beneath my wings:
Linda Kay. Her mercy, grace, and support of me are
ever-present. She is not only my wonderful wife, but
my soul mate. To my children: Greg, Candy, Jeremy,
Brandon, and our 13 grandchildren—you are my rea-
son for living.
To my mother, Ruth. Your confidence and belief
in me has helped me overcome many obstacles in life.
—Matthew J. Rettick
To my family: Elaine, Yvonne, and her husband,
Mark; Jon Allen and his wife, Lora; and my son, Dan;
and all the people who have believed and supported
me throughout the years.
—Jack LaLanne
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Introduction 9
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“My child, don’t lose sight of good planning and
insight. Hang on to them, for they fill you with life
and bring you honor and respect. They keep you safe
on your way and keep your feet from stumbling.”
Proverbs 3:21–23