Weekend Reading

“How to Retire Early and Live Well With Less Than a Million Dollars” by Gillette Edmunds (Adams Media Corp., $12.95). The title is accurate; it’s possible--as long as you save diligently and aren’t too picky about how you define “living well.” Although the author has some quirks and may be a bit too enamored of real estate, Edmunds’ advice is sound. His argument that you can and should spend principal is important to remember: Because growth in asset values has partially replaced interest and dividends, you should not feel bad spending principal.