 Purpose:
Inform, educate and provide a Retirement Calculator for you to plan your
retirement, or if already retired, fine tune to optimize your retirement
and monitor your plan along the way.
Who: Anyone interested in retirement. The RRD software is a tool to be used by all ages including retirees, beginners and the experienced for planning, updating or verifying retirement financial plans, plus it provides many resources including information regarding social security and retirement health care. Included: A printed User's Guide, three 3.5" floppies, 1 CD, 1 Installation Instruction card, 1 registration card. Cost: Of 3 local software retailers contacted, one carried this product at a price of $42.99. It is also available from the Individual Software web page. System Requirements: System requirements are listed on the box, a nicely done package with a lot of information, and on the web site shown above. Required: a 486-Based 33MHz PC or Higher; Microsoft Windows 95, Windows 3.1, Windows for Workgroups 3.11, or later; 8 MB RAM Available; 256 Color VGA or higher display; Mouse. 3.5" Disk version requires: 8 MB Hard Drive Space Available; 3.5" Disk Drive. CD-ROM version requires: 8 MB Hard Drive Space Available; Double Speed CD-ROM Drive or faster; Sound Card; Speakers or Headphones. Installation: The 3 floppies and the CD must be used to install the DELUXE version. A portion of RRD, Resources, and Retirement Calculator can be run from just the 3 floppies that are part of the Deluxe package. I recommend use of the CD if your system allows. A Pentium 166 with a 4X CD was used for this review and RRD ran very well. Help: While there is not the customary online/on the screen help found with Windows programs, there is a toll free number, a Fax number, and an e-mail address for assistance. There is an Index icon which activates an index of the subjects of the software. This index is available from within Winning Edge Workshop, (one of the 3 main elements of the RRD). I called the toll free customer support number Friday 10:45 AM 4-25-97, and after the usual menu selections talked to a very pleasant person who took my information and said I would be called back. Call back had not been received by 1:00 PM 4-26-97, when this article was turned in for publication. I called to inquire about, help sources. Program: The program has excellent video and sound which is supplied on the CD in the DELUXE version. RRD begins with a full moving full color image of Cynthia Oti presenting retirement questions and concerns and an explanation of RRD's elements and how you can use them to plan, review and analyze your retirement plan. Ms. Oti hosts an AM radio talk show in Northern California, "Financial Fitness: Your Weekend Workout" and is reported to be an officer with a brokerage house where she specializes in retirement planning. The 3 main elements of RRD are: Recommendation: Regardless of your age or situation it is time to get started with your retirement planning and fine tuning process now. Retire Ready Deluxe is very well done as well as enjoyable to use and based upon my limited experience should receive your full consideration as a tool to help in the investing and retirement planning process. I like it and will use it as an ongoing part of my planning.For maximum results and enjoyment I recommend the Deluxe install with full sound and graphics. RRD is also good for learning about investing in general, for both the beginner and a refresher for the experienced. Good luck! |