Your Future Self Is Waiting

Depending on your current age, retirement may feel like a distant concern - something to think about later.

But here’s the hard truth: later comes a lot faster than you think. And if you’re not actively preparing for it now, your future self might be in for a brutal wake-up call.

I’ve seen it happen. Maybe you have too.

An alarming number of baby boomers were promised that pensions and social security would carry them through retirement.

Many of them are now realizing - way too late - that they don’t have nearly enough to maintain the lifestyle they expected.

They’re not sipping cocktails on a beach somewhere. They’re not traveling or finally enjoying the fruits of decades of hard work…

Instead, they’re stuck working because they have to, not because they want to.

Now that doesn’t really sound like a dream retirement, does it?

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Think Retirement is Just About Money?

Think Again.

Maybe you’re thinking, “I don’t need to be rich. Money isn’t everything”.

And you’re right - money isn’t everything.

But you know what is?

👉 Freedom

👉 Choices

Money isn’t just about dollars in the bank.

It’s about having the freedom to spend your time how you want.

The ability to spend time with your kids or your grandkids - or to finally pursue those dreams, passions, and interests that you’ve put off for decades.

I want you to ask yourself honestly:

Have you actually crunched the numbers?

I mean really crunched them - either sat down with a financial advisor or used a good online retirement calculator to figure out how much you’ll need to live well in retirement.

Do you want to scrape by? Or did you picture a retirement where you could finally travel, pick up hobbies, and spend time with loved ones without financial stress?

If you haven’t done the math yet, I urge you to do it.

The results might shock you.

The Key to a Retirement That Thrives, Not Just Survives

Let me be blunt: if you’re relying on your job alone or things like social security or pensions to set you up for retirement - you could be in for a rude awakening.

That’s where ownership comes in.

Owning a business, real estate, or other income-generating assets could be your ticket to a retirement where you don’t have to work to survive.

A retirement where income still flows in - even when you stop punching the clock.

And no, this kind of planning isn’t just for the wealthy elite.

It’s for anyone who doesn’t want to look back with regret.

The choices you make today - starting a side hustle, investing in appreciating assets, or building a business - are shaping your future self’s reality.

A reality where you call the shots.

The Best Time to Start Was 20 Years Ago. 

The Second-Best Time? Right Now.

Even if you’re already close to retirement, it’s not too late!

Ownership isn’t just about next year or the year after.

It’s about the next decade or decades to come.

To get you started - here are a couple free online retirement calcs to have a look at:

Nerd Wallet retirement calc

Smart Asset retirement calc

Take Action: Your Retirement Number

Understanding the importance of retirement planning is the first step; now, it's time to act.

Here's a good DIY overview:

🎯 Assess Your Retirement Needs: Determine how much you'll need to maintain your desired lifestyle in retirement.​ (see steps below)

🎯 Evaluate Your Current Savings: Review your existing retirement accounts, investments, and other assets.​

🎯 Identify the Gap: Calculate the difference between your current savings and your retirement goals.​

🎯 Develop a Plan: Decide how much you need to save regularly to bridge the gap.​

🎯 Explore Ownership Opportunities: Consider investing in income-generating assets like digital businesses or real estate to enhance your retirement income.

Step 1: Define Your Ideal Retirement Lifestyle 

Before crunching numbers, get clear on the kind of life you want in retirement.

Ask yourself:

Where will you live? (City, rural, abroad?)

What kind of home will you have? (Mortgage-free? Downsized? Paid-off property?)

How will you spend your time? (Travel? Hobbies? Volunteering? Business ventures?)

What are your big goals? (Legacy? Family support? Charitable giving?)

Your answers shape how much monthly income you’ll need.

Step 2: Calculate Your Monthly Freedom Number (make sure to use calculators that take into consideration things like inflation).

Your Freedom Number is the amount of passive income you need each month to sustain your chosen lifestyle.

👉 Start by listing your expected monthly expenses in retirement:

Housing (Mortgage or rent, property taxes, insurance, maintenance)

Utilities (Electricity, water, internet, phone)

Food & Groceries

Healthcare & Insurance (private insurance, prescriptions)

Transportation (Car payments, insurance, gas, travel)

Leisure & Travel (Vacations, hobbies, dining out, entertainment)

Family Support (Helping kids, grandkids, aging parents)

Miscellaneous Expenses (Subscriptions, personal care, etc.)

💡 Example Calculation: If you estimate your monthly retirement expenses will be $5,000 per month, that means you need at least $5,000 in passive income to sustain your lifestyle without a job.

Your Future Self is Counting on You

Here’s the truth: Retirement isn’t an age - it’s a number. A Freedom Number that gives you the choice to step away from work on your terms.

And one of the best ways to get there? Ownership.

Right now, you have two choices:

🚀 Take action today - run the numbers, create a plan, start building assets that generate income beyond your paycheck.

😬 Or do nothing - and risk scrambling to figure it out too late.

Every day you wait is a day lost.

But every step you take now is a step toward a future where you call the shots.

The choice is yours ✨

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