5 smart things wealthy baby boomers do with their money. Are you following their example?

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Legendary actress Bette Davis famously said, “Getting old ain’t for sissies.”

And neither is saving enough money for a fulfilling retirement. It takes determination, willpower and a well-considered plan.

But it can be done, and there’s a pattern of behavior among the ones who do it successfully.

The generation currently in the process of doing it — the baby boomers, whose youngest members are in their early 60s — have some wisdom to impart.

Here are five savvy moves that made many boomers wealthy by retirement age.

An improvement in your finances, such as a raise at work or an inheritance, shouldn’t be an excuse to go out and spend.

The strategizing boomer knows that any boost to income should go to savings and investments. In other words, they live below their means.

However, it’s all too common for a lot of people to spend what they earn — a losing proposition when it comes to saving for retirement. Instead of indiscriminate spending, follow the advice that finance writer Elizabeth Aldrich’s father gave her: create a retirement budget and stick to it.

By connecting with a financial professional, you can create a wealthbuilding plan that helps you get to retirement faster.

With Advisor.com, you can find qualified financial professionals to help you fulfill your wealth goals. Their free service that helps you find the right fiduciary for you by matching you with a small list of the best options for you to choose from.

Set up a free, no-obligation consultation with one of their pre-screened financial advisors today.

Experts like Dave Ramsey say you should invest 10% to 15% of your income annually.

Boomers with a comfortable nest egg have typically invested in a portfolio that includes a mix of asset classes, including real estate. Commercial real estate has long been touted as a wise investment for adding stability to your portfolio – outperforming the S&P 500 over a 25-year period.

Real estate investing doesn’t have to involve heavy labor or even finding desirable properties on your own. Commercial real estate private equity firms like First National Realty Partners are making it easy for investors to discover investment properties and begin earning from day one.