Retire at 40? Here's how it can be done with IRAs, other major tips

Later this month, personal finance author and entrepreneur Bernadette Joy will celebrate her 40th birthday in a unique way: She will retire. At least for a little while.

Joy, 39, plans to "practice retirement " and has been working toward her savings goal for more than a decade. Now, she is debt free and has a net worth of $1.9 million, so she's ready to see if her careful financial planning will allow her to retire.