Jun 29 • 4 min read
The Retirement Fix | June 29th 2025
|
Hi Reader So, it appears God did laugh at my plans!! We have what I hope to be the last of the delays to publishing my book being resolved as we speak. It appears writing the actual book is the easiest part of the process, who would have thought it! The good news is that there is still time to join the waitlist if you haven't already. If you do, a few free giveaways and a little thank you will be available to you when the bloody thing (sorry, I'm a bit angry!) is ready to launch. Click the link below to join. I've got a great edition of The Retirement Fix that I'm bringing to you this Sunday morning. Full of knowledge and wisdom that will make your second half of life a better, more joyful place to be! FEATURED ARTICLE The High Price of a Happy Retirement? Not So Fast…Scroll through Instagram and you’ll see it: retirees zip-lining through rainforests, sipping rosé in Tuscany, or grinning beside a campervan called "Retired & Inspired." That’s what retirement should look like. At least, that’s what every glossy retirement brochure, luxury equity release ad, and algorithmically gifted Instagram retiree seems to be telling us. But here’s a provocative question worth sipping slowly, like that rosé: What if the joyful retirement we’ve been sold is a costly lie? The £2 Million MirageFor decades, society has pitched us a version of retirement that looks suspiciously like a never-ending luxury holiday. Golf memberships, world cruises, boutique wine clubs, matching e-bikes, and a second home in Portugal (with a pool, of course). To retire well, you need at least £43,000 a year. Or was it £60,000? No, wait, £80,000 after tax, so you can finally afford that kiln-fired pizza oven and full-body cryotherapy chamber. Here’s the problem: most people don’t have that. Here’s the truth: most people don’t need it. Real happiness in retirement is far more affordable than we’ve been led to believe. In fact, it may cost very little at all. Wisdom Is Free (And Priceless)Research shows that as people enter retirement, their priorities shift from stuff to substance. According to Transamerica’s recent study, the top goals for retirees aren’t luxury or leisure; they’re health, relationships, and purpose. Not rooftop infinity pools. Not diamond-encrusted Fitbit trackers. Just… living well. What gives us joy? Learning new things. Spending time with people we like. Potting a plant without rushing. Watching a grandkid discover a frog. Saying “no thanks” to toxic people. Wisdom, peace, growth, clarity, they don’t show up on a bank statement, but they radically improve your quality of life. Connection Costs Less Than CableOne of the best predictors of a joyful retirement? Social connection. Not fancy brunches at the country club, but consistent, meaningful time with people who see you, hear you, and maybe even help you move a sofa when you change your mind about where it should go. Again. Harvard’s long-running study on happiness showed that close relationships, not money, not fame, not professional achievement, are what keep people happier and healthier as they age. And the entry fee? A text, a flat white, a shared laugh, a bad joke. (I’ve got plenty, happy to lend one.) Letting Go = Levelling UpRetirement isn’t just about acquiring more. It’s often about releasing, decluttering your home, your calendar, your finances, and your emotional baggage. Unsubscribe from the cult of busyness. Cancel the subscriptions you forgot about. Politely sidestep the people who drain your energy. This act of simplification doesn’t just lighten your physical load; it frees your mind. And unlike Botox or a Baltic cruise, it’s completely free. Better still, it pays you back in time, peace, and clarity. When More Money Doesn’t Mean More JoyLet’s bust a myth: More retirement money ≠ More retirement happiness. Studies have shown that after a certain threshold (around £500k of assets or \~£30–40k/year of income), additional money doesn’t increase happiness proportionally. Many wealthy retirees underspend their savings, not because they’re frugal heroes, but because they’re scared to let go. Meanwhile, those who spend on things that create memories, experiences, people, and purpose report higher satisfaction. So What Does a Rich Retirement Look Like?Not flashy. Not opulent. Not Instagram-worthy. But peaceful. Connected. Intentional. Alive. A joyful retirement often looks like this:
The Bottom LineRetirement, at its best, isn’t a reward for working hard. It’s a reawakening, a second life, a chance to live less for others and more for yourself. So let’s stop letting advertisers, algorithms, and aspirational nonsense define what success looks like in this chapter. You don’t need to buy your way into a meaningful retirement. You just need to build it, one clear decision, one loving connection, and one honest moment at a time. And that, my friend, costs a whole lot less than you think. RETIREMENT RESOURCE What Are Your Values? Retirement isn’t just a financial milestone; it’s a chance to live a life that truly reflects who you are. That’s why I’m sharing this powerful coaching worksheet with you. It’s designed to help you pause, reflect, and reconnect with your core values, the things that matter most to you. Whether you’re just entering retirement or well into it, taking time to explore these questions can lead to deeper clarity, more meaningful decisions, and a greater sense of fulfilment. So open the PDF, carve out ten quiet minutes, and let your future self thank you.
PODCAST Solving The Retirement Income Puzzle SKETCH OF THE WEEK When Saving Feels Safe and Spending Feels ScaryRETIREMENT ARTICLES What I've read this week
|