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Time Or Freedom?

By Doug Buchan, CFP®

A recent song that made its way up the pop charts last year is titled Breakeven by The Script. The song is about a man distraught over the breakup with his girlfriend, but that’s not important here. What is important is a line in the song that – when I heard it – made me immediately think of retirement planning (I know, I need a life) and folks who are entering the exciting yet daunting world of retirement. The line:

“Now I’ve got time, while she’s got freedom”

In this line, he is describing two different ways of looking at the same thing. She is looking at their breakup as new found freedom and looks forward to the next exciting chapter in her life. He’s looking at the breakup as new found time – and not “free” time, but painful time – time to stress, time to worry, time lost. His perspective and therefore his path is far different from hers.

As folks enter retirement, they also have two paths to walk. Many folks stumble into retirement and sort of just spend time - and time doesn’t feel “free” – often because they’re worried whether they’re going to make it. Is their money going to outlive them, or are they going to outlive their money? So, instead of really pushing themselves to figure out what lights their candle, what fuels their passion – what gives them that feeling of financial freedom - they end up just passing the time.

That peaceful feeling of financial freedom is what we are all striving for as we enter our retirement years.And, it’s easier than it sounds with the right help by your side. If you are approaching retirement or are currently retired, and you don’t have that feeling of financial freedom - if you worry and feel like you’re just passing the time, as opposed to doing the things that you truly value - then call us, and let’s sit down to help you get there.

“Now I’ve got time while she’s got freedom”

Step back, take time to reflect, and make sure you’re not just passing the time in retirement and/or in life.

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