It’s not enough to simply hope for a long and happy life. These days you have to plan for it. That’s the advice from one of the most knowledgeable aging and longevity experts in the world.

Laura Carstensen, Ph.D., is a professor at Stanford University and is a major player in the National Institute of Aging. She says that living an active lifestyle does not come cheap. Past generations did not have to worry about amassing as much savings to cover as many years. But she says there are simple ways to stretch our money and live the lives we want.

Her book, “A Long Bright Future: An Action Plan for a Lifetime of Happiness, Health and Financial Security,” explains it all.