Why I Stopped Obsessing Over My Retirement Number
Just start living your life
Hello late starters,
In my early 40s, I was obsessed with figuring out the number—the magic amount I needed to retire. You know, the one that would let me quit working, sip coffee in the morning without rushing, and never stress about money again.
I ran my numbers, watched YouTube videos, and read financial blogs. $1 million? $2 million? More? The numbers were overwhelming. No matter how much I saved, the goalpost always seemed to move further away.
And then it hit me: chasing a number made me anxious instead of empowered.
The shift
One day, I asked myself: Do I really need to hit a massive number, or do I just need enough cash flow to cover my lifestyle?
That’s when everything changed. Instead of fixating on a lump sum, I started focusing on cash flow—the income I could generate from investments and side hustles.
If my investments and other income sources could cover my expenses, did it really matter if I didn’t have $X million in the bank?
Sure, I want to enjoy the finer things in life. I’d love to fly first class at least once or splurge at a Michelin-star restaurant and order everything without worrying about the bill. But the truth is, you don’t need millions in the bank to experience that.
What this means for you
Many of us start thinking seriously about the “future” in our 40s.
Not that we never thought about it before, but when we were younger, retirement felt far away. Subconsciously, we assumed there was plenty of time to figure it out.
Then we hit 40, and suddenly, the clock is ticking. That realisation makes us wonder: What do I actually want in life? What does my retirement look like? And often, that comes with a wave of anxiety—what if we don’t have enough money to retire?
If you’ve ever felt this way, here’s a little mindset trick:
Focus on the possibilities instead of the panic.
For example,
How to build extra income streams – Whether it’s dividends, rental income, or a side hustle, having multiple income sources gives you more control over your future. Relying on just one job isn’t enough these days.
Can you lower your required number – The less you need to live on, the less you need to retire. Maybe you don’t need a luxury retirement—just one that gives you freedom.
Embrace semi-retirement – You don’t have to wait until you hit some magic number to enjoy life. Try working less, testing out a lower-cost lifestyle, or taking mini-retirements along the way.
I still invest and plan for the future, but I no longer feel paralysed by an arbitrary number. The goal isn’t to hoard money—it’s to buy back time and freedom.
What about you? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the “retirement number”? Take a moment to imagine what your ideal retirement actually looks like—and see if you can make a shift. Focus on the cash flow you need instead of obsessing with having millions in your bank.
What about you? Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the “retirement number”?
Take a moment to imagine what your ideal retirement really looks like—and ask yourself if a shift in focus might help. Maybe it’s time to think about cash flow, not just a bank balance.
Current “Ah-Ha” moment 💡
I love using ChatGPT, especially for research. Looking into a stock is so much quicker than reading through pages and pages of analysis.
But apparently, most AI tools—including ChatGPT, Perplexity, and DeepSeek Search—have an accuracy of only 40%! Do you agree? Here’s the study you might want to check out.
Where my money went this week 💰
You won’t believe it, but this week, I had no major spending at all!
It’s been a good week—wallet-wise.
I didn’t feel like I missed out on anything. This week, I did a few workouts by following along with some YouTube videos, went for long walks along the beach, and went to a bouldering session through my friend’s referral for $10. This made me think twice about committing to a Pilates membership—maybe I don’t need to.
A special deal this week 💎
Still “thinking” about signing up for ING?
Don’t wait too long—the deal’s ending soon!
Set yourself up now so your future self can thank you. Plus, I’ve got a signup bonus for you. Get $125 when you sign up before 31 March using my code JYM170.
I’m on a mission to empower all the late starters to build a better financial future. You’re only too late if you never start.
For years, I spent mindlessly, assuming things would work out. Now I look back and wish I had: Saved more, Invested earlier and been intentional with my money. If you’ve ever felt stuck, behind, or unsure where to start, you’re not alone. Let’s figure this out together.
Disclaimer: Information shared in this newsletter is not financial advice. Always do your own research before making any financial decisions.
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