For 50-Plussers, the last few years have been a roller coaster in terms of retirement savings – too often on the downward slope of things, unfortunately. And while the downward slopes are the most fun on a real roller coaster, they’re the scariest when you’re counting on your investments to fund your retirement.

There’s been a lot of talk, and a good deal of controversy, about reverse mortgages. While the government-backed loans, which pay seniors cash based on the equity in their homes, have proven sound in certain situations, they are not available for houses above certain values ($625,500 in 2009). For these homeowners, proprietary – or  privately held – reverse mortgages can provide higher loan amounts but come with higher costs.

What’s someone in his or her 50s – too young for a reverse mortgage and hoping never to need one – to do? A thousand financial advisors probably have a thousand answers to that question. But one answer emerged recently on the Equifax Personal Finance blog and it merits a second look. It’s called “A Rescue Plan for Your Retirement Portfolio.”

The advice was posted by Dan Solin, author of The Smartest Retirement Book You’ll Ever Read” and two more “The Smartest…” titles on 401ks and investments. And while the startling advice seems a little daunting, it comes with plain and simple instructions. Solin shares facts that demonstrate this approach will earn you more money in the long run. He doesn’t say so explicitly, but it stands to reason that making more money on your investments will make buying that retirement home much easier when the time comes.