Early in my career as a financial advisor, clients would often ask me:
“What number do I need to retire?”
They believed that hitting a certain financial milestone was the key to freedom. And for a long time, I believed it too.
I’d run the calculations, project the returns, and set the plan in motion to help them reach their number. But over the years, I’ve realized something crucial:
A number alone is never enough.
The real question isn’t “How much money do I need?” but rather “What kind of life do I want to live?”
Because money is just a tool. It’s not the goal.
The Truth About Wealth That No One Tells You
Wealth isn’t about hitting an arbitrary financial target. It’s about designing a life that truly fulfills you. Here are a few things I’ve learned from working with successful individuals:
- Money is just a means to an end. It can provide options, but it won’t automatically give you purpose.
- Your definition of wealth is personal. What feels like “enough” for one person might feel empty for another.
- A random number won’t bring happiness. Financial success without a vision often leads to a sense of restlessness, not satisfaction.
- Success comes from knowing your “why.” Without clarity on what you want life to look like, wealth can feel directionless.
- Financial freedom isn’t about money alone. It’s about the freedom to live life on your terms, doing what matters most to you.
The Secret to Real Financial Planning
So, the question becomes, how do you build a financial plan that creates real success, not just a big account balance?
I believe it starts with a vision.
Before you worry about how much you need, define what you truly want. Ask yourself:
- How many hours do I want to work?
- Who do I want to spend time with?
- What does my ideal day look like?
- When do I want to retire?
- Where do I want to live?
- What brings me the most joy?
Now, once you know the answers to these, the financial plan becomes easy, and it is the roadmap to get there.
Don’t Chase Dollars. Chase Dreams!
At the end of the day, wealth isn’t really about money. It’s about living a life of purpose, freedom, and fulfillment.
If you focus on just the numbers, you will likely reach it and still feel lost. But if you build a plan around your vision, the number creates something greater.
So, ask yourself, what does your ideal future look like?