A pretty common retirement planning question people ask is, “what’s the most important thing I can do to plan for a successful retirement?” And, the answer might surprise you…
You might expect a response like, “buy low and sell high”, and although it’s a good one, it’s not the answer we’re focused on. Or maybe you think the answer is something like “make sure to invest a certain percentage of your pre-retirement income into a qualified retirement account”. That is also a good piece of advice, but still not quite the response we are looking for. The specific answer we are focused on is much more personal; it’s about you, not necessarily a single piece of financial advice. Simply realizing how much power you can have over your satisfaction in retirement can be eye opening, and it starts with having lifestyle goals.
Setting lifestyle goals in retirement is one element many people struggle with, or simply overlook during the retirement planning process. Perhaps one of the reasons it’s not properly addressed is due to the lack of focus on it. Few people seem to talk about the importance of creating lifestyle goals in addition to financial goals. In addition, too many people confuse the value of their portfolio (or how they did against the market) with happiness in retirement. Long-term financial stability is, of course, at the core of every great plan, but it won’t necessarily bring the same sense of purpose and fulfillment that achieving your lifestyle goals will.
Uncovering and helping people define their lifestyle goals is one of the main reasons we spend so much time getting to know our clients. Some people measure the success of their retirement based upon their ability to pursue the things that make them happy. That’s why we work on creating retirement plans that help give our clients the financial stability and independence they need, combined with the flexibility to still pursue their lifestyle goals. If you want to learn how to create a comprehensive retirement plan that incorporates your lifestyle and financial goals, then Click HERE for a complimentary, no obligation retirement planning consultation.
Remember, when it comes to retirement planning, you might find more satisfaction if you focus on more than just your finances. So be sure to include your lifestyle goals as part of your overall retirement plan.