We all like to think we make decisions heavily based on purely rational thinking—but when it comes to money, emotions often have a seat at the table. Whether it’s the anxiety of a market dip or the thrill of a portfolio hitting a milestone, our feelings can shape our financial choices more than we realize.
That’s why one of the most important yet overlooked parts of a solid retirement plan isn’t just the math. It’s how the plan makes you feel. One of the best measures of a financial plan is the confidence it creates. It’s hard to enjoy our retirement if we’re stressed about tomorrow.
So how do you move forward? Let’s break it down.
Step One: Getting Clear On Your Variables
This is the part most people expect. It’s where we get into:
- When you want to retire
- How much you’ll need each year
- What your retirement lifestyle includes—travel, another home, big purchases
- Conservative assumptions to test your plan’s durability
- Probability-based outcomes to map out your success rate
Financial calculations are something we do every day. They are the structure, the math, and the strategy. There’s a lot here, but again, these are the conversations people expect from the planning process. If we stop there, we’re missing something.
Step Two: Emotionally Validate the Plan
This is where financial wellness enters the conversation—even if you don’t see yourself as someone who needs to “emotionally validate” your financial plan. Bear with me.
What do I mean by emotionally validate? You need to believe in the plan. That’s harder than most retirees think it will be.
Market volatility has a way of bringing this conversation front and center. Most of the financial planning world offers a simple, “These things happen, and we’ll be ok.” Not the most confidence-inspiring answer. We want the math and strategy behind the plan to cover not just the financial needs but the emotional element as well.
We want to sit down together, go over your plan, and show you exactly how we’ve planned for this. That’s the level of validation you should be able to expect from your plan.
The End Goal? Peace of Mind
Ultimately, all that matters is that you can put your head on the pillow and say, “We’ve already planned for this.” That kind of peace doesn’t come from market predictions or guesswork. It comes from clarity, validation, and knowing your plan is built to endure more than ideal conditions.
If you find yourself feeling reactive to market movements or financial news, that’s human. It might also be a sign to revisit how well you’ve separated the emotional from the financial. You should expect to be well supported in both areas.
Take time to validate what you’ve built—not just with numbers but with perspective. We’re always here to help you deepen your understanding and trust in your plan. Our door is always open.