What do you really want to do with the rest of your life? Is it financially possible to do it? Do you believe that if you jump that a net will appear?
These and other questions are ones Beth and I have been asking ourselves for years, but more now in our early 60s. To support us, we’ve brought in a new financial planner to examine the “what ifs” of a variety of work-retirement options. I am finding it to be a fascinating, eye-opening exercise and I highly recommend it.
Our FP, Alicia Paige, is using an awesome software program that allows her to input all of our data and then analyze the effects on each of our potential life choices. It’s very detailed and customizable. Alicia has more than earned our investment in her services.
Most importantly to us, we now know that we can choose any of our options with a pretty high likelihood that we will be able to afford those choices. As an independent artist without a pension, I had always assumed that I would have to work for my whole life, but now I see that this is not necessary. And while I really like our job, I am thrilled to know that I don’t have to die driving to a gig in my 80s.
Gaining clarity about our financial present and future has been Beth’s mission for at least a decade. She has taken courses, joined groups and learned how to do what our parents and many of our peers entrust to others (or fate) and I am so grateful for her leadership and wisdom. What a partner I have to move through life!
In my opinion, life’s adventures are more successful and rewarding when we balance risk with reason. With proper planning, I’ve learned that is very possible to do amazing things, to see the world or do whatever is in our hearts AND be safe and smart.
May we all have dreams and give ourselves the option to see them through.
In closing let me say that I am aware that we are very fortunate, that some who are reading this are hamstrung by constraints that may make it very hard to achieve dreams. I know that some of us are just surviving in this life. I hear you. I see you. And I wish you better days.
