To really help yourself you need to have a actual business. Rental property will help. I have a active and passive situation. My plan will be to pay ZERO taxes on the bone-us. My accountant will tell me how much to defer and how much to spend between passive and active. I'll do the rest. If all you have is a W2, you are going to get a stiffy where it hurts. Simple? for you? Kinda. Defer all of that bone-us you can. Make gifts to your children and/or grands. HAVE A ACCOUNTANT SET YOU UP.