When we think of retirement, most of us will picture an idyllic existence where we can engage in activities we enjoy without having to worry about money. Having the freedom to choose what you want to do when you retire is possible, but you will need to prepare yourself financially first. And the first step to doing so is to start investing in strong companies that pay regular, consistent dividends. These dividends act as a passive income source that can help you to maintain your lifestyle during retirement. This cash inflow can also help to supplement other forms of income such as those from rental or annuities. If you’re worried that you may not have enough in your investment portfolio to retire comfortably, the best advice is to start investing right now. The power of compounding, done over many years, can allow a small initial sum to grow into a comfortable pot of money by the time you are ready to retire....