There is one question I hear all the time, and every time I hear it, it makes me slightly shudder. Not because it is a bad question, but because the people asking it are usually looking for the wrong kind of answer. The question is: “How much money is enough to retire?” It sounds reasonable. It […]
I was reading a post by Todd Mafifin https://todmaffin.com/ (The world between minutes) and as I have been thinking about time, it lead me to these ideas. A few months ago, I sat down with a small group of dedicated Board members to apply for a grant. It was the kind of administrative task that doesn’t […]
Lately I’ve been thinking about time, not in a grim, counting-down way, but with a quiet sense of wonder. Each additional year now feels like a bonus round, an unexpected gift. I love living, and I find myself glorying in how super-rich these years have become. I share my days with a loving partner, a […]
As you and I have explored the Four Pillars, Health, Family, Purpose, and Finances, a central theme emerges: they are inextricably interconnected and mutually reinforcing. You cannot robustly address one without touching the others. This holistic view, grounded in research from Edward Jones and updated is the blueprint for the New Retirement. The research offers […]
Financial planning for the New Retirement requires a shift in mindset. It’s not just about accumulating the largest nest egg; it’s about creating a secure, sustainable income strategy that empowers the life you’ve designed across the other three pillars. In Canada, this traditionally rests on a three-legged stool: Government Programs (CPP/QPP, OAS) Workplace Pensions (Defined […]
You’ve saved, planned, and dreamed of freedom. But when you finally retire, a surprising question can arise: “What’s it all for?” This is the domain of the Purpose pillar, the engine that drives a fulfilling retirement, transforming time from something to fill into something to savour. Retirees with a strong sense of purpose are happier, […]
If Health is the foundational pillar, then Family and deep social connections are the heart of a fulfilling retirement. Retirees consistently report that family is their greatest source of satisfaction, support, and joy. But in the New Retirement, the very definition of “family” is beautifully expanding. While traditional family ties remain central, more than half […]
When my buddies and I sit down for lunch once a week, we talk about our health. All of us agree that the most critical for living well in retirement is our Health. We are not alone, according to research by Edward Jones, an overwhelming 97% of us say health trumps wealth. This sentiment grows […]
If you’re approaching retirement, you’ve likely heard whispers about the “New Retirement” or the “Four Pillars.” This isn’t just financial jargon; it’s a fundamental shift in how we view this vibrant stage of life. So, what makes today’s retirement “new”? First, longevity has changed the game. With advances in healthcare and lifestyle, retirements are lasting […]
There’s something quietly satisfying about the last day of February. It’s not flashy like New Year’s Eve, and it doesn’t come with fireworks or countdown clocks, but it carries a special kind of relief, like finishing a long chapter and gently turning the page. February is the shortest month, yet somehow it can feel like […]
