The Sunday Question: What Comes Next?
I was recently featured in the Australian Financial Review discussing the key steps to retirement readiness—including the hardest but most important one: knowing your why. (Read the article here: Six Easy Steps to Retirement Readiness—and One Hard One)
The article was published on a Sunday—a day that, for many, represents rest, reflection, and a break from the daily grind. But for retirees, every day becomes Sunday.
At first, that might sound ideal. No early alarms, no packed schedules—just time to relax. But after the novelty wears off, many retirees start asking themselves: What now?
Without a clear purpose, retirement can start to feel empty. You’ve worked hard for this freedom, but without direction, you risk filling your days with distractions rather than meaningful experiences. This is why successful retirement planning isn’t just about money—it’s about lifestyle, happiness, and purpose.
The Problem with Cookie-Cutter Retirement Plans
Most traditional financial planning takes a cookie-cutter approach:
- Have you saved enough?
- Do your investments generate the right returns?
- Can you afford to stop working?
These are important questions, but they don’t answer the bigger ones:
- What does a fulfilling retirement look like for me?
- How will I spend my time in a way that brings me happiness and purpose?
- What’s my next chapter beyond just financial security?
A purely money-centered strategy assumes that once you hit a certain number, retirement will take care of itself. But I’ve worked with many retirees who reached that number only to feel lost. Wealth alone doesn’t create a fulfilling retirement—intention does.
Real Retirement Planning Starts with Your Lifestyle
Take Michael and Jane, for example. They were in an ideal financial position: mortgage-free, kids at university, and a well-diversified portfolio. But when they retired, they struggled to fill their days with anything beyond routine.
Michael had always identified as a business owner, someone with challenges to solve and projects to manage. Without that, he felt adrift. Jane, who had spent decades thriving in a structured corporate environment, suddenly had too much time on her hands. They had planned their finances meticulously, but they hadn’t planned their life.
This is why true family wealth management isn’t just about investments—it’s about structuring your financial resources to support your lifestyle, values, and ambitions in retirement.
Redefining Retirement: It’s About More Than Just Rest
Many people think of retirement as an extended holiday—more time with family, relaxing afternoons, maybe some travel. But the most satisfied retirees treat it as a new phase of life, not just a break from work.
Some of the most fulfilling retirements I’ve seen involve:
✅ A sense of purpose – Volunteering, mentoring, consulting, or engaging in meaningful hobbies.
✅ Growth and learning – Exploring new interests, taking courses, or starting passion projects.
✅ An intentional financial strategy – Not just focusing on wealth accumulation but aligning money with lifestyle goals.
When we redefine retirement this way, the question isn’t Can I afford to retire?—it’s How do I want to live?
My Role: Helping You Design a Retirement You Love
At Real Life Financial Planning, I don’t just help you create a financial plan—I help you create a life plan. My role is to guide you beyond the numbers and help you build a roadmap that ensures your wealth supports the life you want, not just the life you can afford.
If you’re planning for retirement, the most important step isn’t just checking your bank balance—it’s defining your next chapter.
Download Your Free Guide: How to Live an Inspired Retirement
Retirement is an incredible opportunity—but only if you approach it with intention.
To help you design a fulfilling, purpose-driven retirement, download my free eBook: “How to Live an Inspired Retirement.” Inside, you’ll learn how to shift the focus from just financial security to a retirement filled with meaning and excitement.
Because retirement isn’t just about stopping work—it’s about starting the next, most fulfilling stage of your life.
General Advice Disclaimer Please note, the information provided herein is general in nature and does not consider your personal circumstances. It is not intended as legal, tax, or personal advice. Always seek personalised financial advice to ensure your estate planning aligns with your unique situation and goals.