Being in Abundance

One of the biggest retirement planning mistakes I see?
Planning for a life that doesn’t actually unfold that way.

Most people worry about underestimating retirement costs.
But just as often, I see people overestimate expenses — especially travel and healthcare — and it quietly costs them options, freedom, and experiences - CHOICE

And I think it depends if your more naturally a glass-half-full or glass-half-empty type of person Or you're the planner/saver versus the spender

Either way, here’s what can happen:
• We imagine retirement as one long, high-energy adventure
• We assume we’ll travel more — and keep that pace for years
• We build in inflation on top of already inflated estimates
• We plan out of caution… or fear… or headlines

But real life doesn’t move in straight lines.

Retirement spending usually follows phases:
• Go-Go years — active, travel-heavy, higher discretionary spending
• Slow-Go years — fewer trips, more home-based living
• No-Go years — priorities shift again

Most plans don’t reflect that.

When plans don’t reflect that, people often become overly cautious — holding back money they could have used earlier for meaningful experiences ✈️, flexibility 🌱, or peace of mind 💛

To me, Financial Sovereignty isn’t about having the biggest number.
It’s about having a plan that fits your life — one that gives you confidence to spend, save, and say yes (or no) intentionally, without second-guessing yourself.

A cushion can be helpful.
But when overestimating leads to playing small, it’s worth revisiting the assumptions.

The real goal isn’t a “perfect” plan.

It’s a plan that:
• matches how life actually unfolds
• evolves over time
• reflects your priorities — not just worst-case scenarios

If you’ve ever wondered:
• “Am I being realistic — or just cautious?”
• “What does my spending actually look like over time?”
• “What would change if my plan reflected real life instead of fear?”

That’s exactly what we explore in a Financial Next Steps conversation.
No pressure. No shame. Just clarity and choice.

You’re not behind.
You’re not starting over.
You’re starting intentionally.

📅 Let’s talk. Calendar link in the comments.

Read the full article below, where I share my thoughts on this topic with Laura Gariepy MBA and MSN. Thanks for the opportunity to share!

https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/savingandinvesting/the-expenses-retirees-always-overestimate-and-they-re-costing-them-thousands/ar-AA1Teo5f?ocid=finance-verthp-feeds

The expenses retirees always overestimate — and they’re costing them thousands Financial horror stories about retirees running out of money during their golden years are unfortunately all too common. Many people underestimate how much their retirement lifestyle will cost them,...

💡 “Scared money doesn’t make money.” - love that!

That’s not just a clever line — it’s an invitation to shift from paralysis by analysis toward intentional, well-planned financial action.

If you’ve ever sat with a big pile of cash — perhaps from a bonus, RSU's, inheritance, sale of a business, or years of disciplined saving — and felt stuck, you’re not alone.

In Reuters’ latest On the Money column, 18 advisors weighed in on what someone with $300,000 in cash should do when fear of risk feels louder than the desire to grow. Thank you Lauren Young for including my thoughts

Here’s what stands out — and what I want every woman in her financial life planning journey to hear:

📌 Key Action Steps (so you’re not just waiting on the sidelines)
✔ Normalize the hesitancy
You’re thoughtful about risk — that’s a strength, not a flaw. Awareness often precedes good planning.
✔ Build your emergency fund first
3–6 months of expenses isn’t optional — it’s foundational.
✔ Define your goals
Short-term needs (house, car) have different solutions than long-term growth (retirement, legacy).
✔ Avoid the “inflation tax”
Holding all cash with low yields quietly erodes purchasing power over time. Reuters
✔ Diversify, don’t concentrate
Fear of a single theme (like AI) shouldn’t keep you from participating in markets; global diversification smooths volatility.
✔ Ease in — don’t “all-in” at once
A phased plan helps you handle risk emotionally and financially.
✔ Seek real advice

A great advisor is like a good coach — they help you stay in the game when emotions spike.

🧠 About Financial Sovereignty & Financial Restlessness
Too often we chase safety at the cost of agency. Financial Restlessness™ can arise when money is sitting still — not because there’s nothing to lose, but because we fear losing something.

True Financial Sovereignty™ isn’t about never feeling uncertain — it’s about having a framework to make decisions, rather than letting hesitation rule your outcomes.

You deserve a plan that reflects your goals, values, and timeline — not fear of headlines.

If you’re carrying cash, confidence, and questions — you’re in the company of thoughtful planners, not outliers.

Let's build a strategy that feels right and works smart.

Reach out if I can help

A$K Lauren: Where to invest $300,000 now Here's what 18 financial advisers said in response to a question about how to proceed when you have a large amount of cash and are unsure about how to invest it.

💡 When’s the Last Time Your Money Had a Checkup?

You go to the doctor, the dentist, maybe even the mechanic for regular checkups… and we're approaching year-end (that's perfect for tax planning)



But when’s the last time you checked in on your financial health?



I’m offering a complimentary 1-hour Financial Health Checkup — because your money deserves some preventive care, too.



We’ll use the Elements® Financial Vital Signs App — a simple, visual tool that gives you a snapshot of how healthy your finances really are (think of it as your financial Fitbit).



And we'll even have a "financial education" conversation around strategies that may make sense for you to consider. Just like your doctor may discuss the benefits of ensuring you have enough Vitamin D, magnesium or even zinc.



🩺 What You’ll Discover:

- Are you using your income wisely — or is it running the show?

- How much wealth do you actually need to make work optional?

- Are you taking the right amount of risk… or just losing sleep over it?

- What’s your Financial Vital Signs Score — and how can you improve it?

- Have you explored tax strategies — to more of your money?



💬 Real Questions. Real Answers.



You might be wondering:

“Am I saving enough — or in the right places?”

“Can I retire earlier than I think?” (explore work optional)

“What’s my next best financial move?”



Let’s take the guesswork out of it.

- With Elements, you’ll see the numbers that matter most — before we even talk.

- You can explore the dashboard, see your score, and get curious about where you stand.



Then when we meet, we can skip the jargon and jump right to your goals.

🌟 Ready to Get Started?

➡️ Click the link below to create your free Elements account:
https://my.getelements.com/.../LH45LS24T4J4OP6SWNEQCZ74V4...


Once you’ve set it up, I’ll personally reach out to schedule your 1-hour complimentary Financial Health Checkup — no sales pitch, just clarity.

💬 Because here’s the truth:
You’re not behind. You’re not stuck.
You’re just getting started — on your terms.

(and that's the perfect place to start from)

💡 When’s the Last Time Your Money Had a Checkup?

You go to the doctor, the dentist, maybe even the mechanic for regular checkups…

But when’s the last time you checked in on your financial health?

I’m offering a complimentary 1-hour Financial Health Checkup — because your money deserves some preventive care, too.

We’ll use the Elements® Financial Vital Signs App — a simple, visual tool that gives you a snapshot of how healthy your finances really are (think of it as your financial Fitbit).

🩺 What You’ll Discover:

- Are you using your income wisely — or is it running the show?

- How much wealth do you actually need to make work optional?

- Are you taking the right amount of risk… or just losing sleep over it?

- What’s your Financial Vital Signs Score — and how can you improve it?

💬 Real Questions. Real Answers.

You might be wondering:

“Am I saving enough — or in the right places?”

“Can I retire earlier than I think?” (explore work optional)

“What’s my next best financial move?”

Let’s take the guesswork out of it.

- With Elements, you’ll see the numbers that matter most — before we even talk.

- You can explore the dashboard, see your score, and get curious about where you stand.

Then when we meet, we can skip the jargon and jump right to your goals.

🌟 Ready to Get Started?

➡️ Click the link below to create your free Elements account:
https://my.getelements.com/invitelink/accept/01JNENEMJRKKP5S2WV1V7YM38C/LH45LS24T4J4OP6SWNEQCZ74V4SIAQWX

Once you’ve set it up, I’ll personally reach out to schedule your 1-hour complimentary Financial Health Checkup — no sales pitch, just clarity.

💬 Because here’s the truth:

You’re not behind. You’re not stuck.

You’re just getting started — on your terms.

Got financial questions? I’ve got answers… let’s talk 😊