The Humans vs Retirement Podcast

Summary Today’s conversation is with the Dr of Happiness, Dr Andy Cope. Andy is a wellbeing expert, best-selling author and in his words a recovering academic. He specialises in positive psychology and the science of human flourishing. The reward for grinding out his Loughborough PhD is that he gets to call himself a Dr of Happiness. If you put the cheesy title to one side, Andy believes there has never been a more important time to focus on mental health and wellbeing. He has been described as a ‘wellbeing revolutionary’ and his mission is to change the narrative and re-focus psychology away from what’s wrong with people to what’s right. His messages act as a gentle nudge towards people taking charge of their own mental health. Andy’s books are frequently on the best-sellers list. ‘The Art of Being Brilliant’, ‘Shine’, and ‘Zest’ have all topped the personal development charts. ‘The Little Book of Emotional Intelligence’ and Leadership: Multiplier Effect’ are riding high in the business charts and ‘Happiness Route Map’ was nominated as The Independent’s best self-help book of the year. Andy also moonlights as a children’s author. His ‘Spy Dog’ series has sold in excess of a million copies worldwide. In this conversation Andy and I discusses the importance of focusing on wellbeing and happiness, especially during retirement. He explains that traditional psychology has primarily focused on fixing mental health issues rather than promoting wellness. Andy emphasises the need to shift the focus to happiness and flourishing, and shares insights from positive psychology. He highlights the significance of living in the present moment and finding contentment in simple experiences and positive relationships. Andy also challenges the notion of retirement as a destination for happiness and encourages individuals to prioritize their wellbeing throughout their lives. Andy emphasises the need to focus on mental wealth and living one's best life. Andy shares his journey of accidentally stumbling upon the science of living a happier life and the intentional strategies that happy people employ. They also discuss the power of reframing internal and learned beliefs and the challenge of unlearning bad habits. He highlights the importance of saying yes to growth and new experiences, as well as saying no to things that don't bring joy. They also touch on the significance of quality relationships, being present, and the negative impact of social media on happiness. Takeaways Sound Bites "There are people out there with a smile on their face and a spring in their step." "Positive psychology is about equipping people with the knowledge and skills to take care of their own mental health and wellbeing." "The happiest moments in life are often simple experiences with loved ones." "They don't talk about wellbeing in a way that they should absolutely talk about wellbeing." "Living your best life and being your best self wasn't a thing." "The biggest barrier to me feeling amazing was actually me." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Andy's Journey to Becoming the Doctor of Happiness 09:03 The Importance of Wellbeing and Happiness 16:02 Shifting the Focus to Happiness and Flourishing 23:06 Retirement: A Journey of Wellbeing and Happiness 24:25 Prioritizing Wellbeing and Happiness in Retirement 28:12 The Power of Reframing Beliefs and Unlearning 32:08 Saying Yes to Growth and No to Unwanted Obligations 36:48 The Importance of Quality Relationships and Being Present 40:54 The Negative Impact of Social Media on Happiness Links The Art of Brilliance Humans Vs Retirement Let's talk about your retirement!

Summary Jamie was a professor at The American College and Director of the New York Life Center for Retirement Income. He is a well-recognized writer, speaker and thought leader in the area of retirement income planning. His most recent book, “Rewirement: Rewiring The Way You Think About Retirement,” details the behavioral finance issues that hold people back from a more financially secure retirement. Jamie’s impact on retirement planning has been well recognized as he has been named as both a top 40 financial services professional under the age of 40 by InvestmentNews and a top 40 young attorney under the age of 40 by The American Bar Association. In this episode Jamie and I discuss the need to rewire the way we think about retirement and challenge the assumptions underlying retirement planning. He emphasizes the importance of adapting spending habits in retirement and the need to minimize regret risk. Jamie also highlights the concept of self-insuring in retirement and the tendency to hold onto money due to fear of unknown future events. He suggests adopting a guardrails approach to spending and focusing on adaptive spending rather than a binary view of success or failure in retirement. They highlight the need for a more realistic approach to retirement income planning that takes into account the trajectory of spending and the magnitude of failure. They also emphasize the importance of financial literacy and education in retirement planning, as well as the potential benefits of equity release strategies. Takeaways Sound Bites "People need to rewire the way they think about retirement." "The biggest challenge is that everybody thinks retirement is the same phase in life, and we treat it the same." "Self-insuring is holding onto money for unknown future events, which limits spending in retirement." "That's a 50% chance that you're going to underspend crucially." "Why do we talk about anything as success and failure? Because it's actually only partial failure anyway." "There is a framework of flexibility in retirement spending." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Warm Welcome 06:38 Jamie Hopkins' Journey to Retirement Planning 09:00 Rewiring the Way We Think About Retirement 27:07 The Benefits of a Guardrails Approach to Spending 32:53 The Flaws in Retirement Planning Models 37:40 The Importance of Flexibility in Retirement Spending 42:47 The Role of Financial Literacy and Education in Retirement Planning 53:54 The Benefits of Equity Release Strategies 01:00:14 Starting Retirement Planning with Aspirations Links Jamie's Book - Rewirement: Rewiring The Way You Think About Retirement!

Summary Derek Hagen is the founder of Money Health Solutions®️, a financial therapy and life planning firm. Money Health Solutions helps clients live intentionally and mindfully, using money as a tool to support their ideal life. He facilitates financial health by helping clients understand their own money psychology, lowering financial stress, and increasing confidence in financial decisions. Derek also started Meaningful Money Memo, a newsletter about the psychology of money and living a meaningful life, using personal stories and simple drawings to help demystify money for readers. He shares his journey from being a Chartered Financial Analyst and a focus on numbers to then having the big realisation that money is a tool not a goal which lead to focusing on the interior side of money and helping people find purpose and significance. In this conversation, we discuss the importance of mindset and intention when it comes to retirement planning. Derek emphasizes the need to have a purpose and a value statement to guide financial decisions and prioritize experiences over accumulating wealth. We also discuss the significance of time and the finite nature of life, encouraging people to be present and intentional in their retirement years. Importantly Derek highlights the importance of creativity and designing a life that aligns with personal values and priorities. Takeaways Sound Bites "Money is a tool, not a goal." "Diversification of meaning in retirement is crucial." "Retirement is not a finish line." "You know, that reality check in and, ⁓ and I think unless you can work with someone that can bring this out of you, or you can naturally bring this out of you, you end up reverting back to the mean, don't you?" "Yeah, absolutely. And that's the thing with habits. If we get into our ⁓ habits, we get into what we're familiar with. And this is a pretty big, retirement's a pretty big life transition." "The retirement that I think the 50 to 60 year olds have witnessed in their parents and their grandparents is and was materially different to the retirement that they're entering into." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 09:21 Money as a Tool, Not a Goal 15:57 Money's Role in Retirement 26:11 The Importance of Planning for Life Beyond Retirement 29:19 Retirement: Not a Finish Line, but a New Phase of Life 31:20 The Importance of Purpose and Value in Retirement Planning 32:03 Being Present and Intentional with Time in Retirement 33:42 Designing a Life that Aligns with Personal Values 38:45 The Role of Creativity in Retirement Planning 52:32 Systems vs Goals: Focusing on Inputs and Intentions Links Meaningful Money

About Stephanie Stephanie founded Sofia Financial in 2011 after 14 years as a financial advisor, with the goal to empower women to make wise financial decisions and reduce their money stress. In her early years she encountered too many women who found finances and investing so intimidating that they either outsourced money decisions to a man in their lives (sometimes with disastrous consequences), or relied on “professionals” who too often focused more on their own paycheck than providing true education and guidance. Financial planning plays into Stephanie’s love of hearing people’s stories, and understanding and explaining complex topics clearly. She is passionate about helping more women find and succeed on this career path. Summary Stephanie McCullough, founder of Sophia Financial and host of the Take Back Retirement podcast, discusses the challenges women face when planning for retirement. She shares her journey of entering the financial industry and focusing on helping women with their retirement planning. Stephanie emphasizes the importance of empowering women to take control of their finances and make informed decisions. She highlights the unique challenges women face in retirement, such as the dominance of the male spouse in financial decisions and the need for women to take the reins after divorce or the death of a spouse. Stephanie encourages open conversations and non-judgmental support to help women navigate these challenges and create a fulfilling retirement. In this conversation, Stephanie and I discuss the challenges women face in the financial planning industry and how they can take control of their retirement. We explore the dominance of men in financial meetings, the importance of meaningful money conversations, and the need for both spouses to be involved in financial planning. They also discuss the impact of social connections on retirement happiness and how women can build and maintain strong social networks. The conversation concludes with advice for women to pay attention to their feelings around money and find a money buddy to share and learn together. Takeaways Sound Bites "There's got to be a way to have a more meaningful conversation with women." "Retirement is the opportunity to figure out exactly what you want to do with your time and go do it." "Open up conversations about retirement between couples to ensure both partners' needs and desires are considered." "There's often a dominance about... the man has done this and they often kind of... dragged them along to the meeting and... they open up the meeting and they're dominant in it." "How can we have a different money conversation? How can we have something that's actually meaningful and relatable? How can we make this money actually interesting?" "A lot of women have that impression because that's the experience they've had in the financial advisor offices." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Stephanie's Journey 06:20 Why Focus on Women Planning for Retirement? 10:25 Challenges Women Face in Retirement 16:26 Navigating Retirement After Divorce 28:27 The Impact of Grief on Retirement Plans 30:52 The Importance of Meaningful Money Conversations 35:12 Building and Maintaining Social Connections 44:08 Paying Attention to Feelings Around Money 51:48 Taking Control of Retirement Links Take Back Retirement Podcast Sofia Financial

Summary Eric is the founder and CEO of BFG Financial Advisors a large financial planning business in Baltimore, USA that specialises in retirement planning. As well a writing his book Eric hosts a podcast by the same name and id a regular contributor to forbes.com and Sunday morning TV in Baltimore In this conversation Eric and I discuss the concept of retirement as a graduation and the need to redefine retirement as an opportunity for growth and exploration. Eric highlights the significance of having an abundance mindset and being open to reinventing oneself in retirement. Eric shares the three secrets to the happiest retirees: being debt-free, taking care of your health, and having a sense of purpose. Takeaways Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:03 Redefining Retirement as a Graduation 09:25 Embracing a Second Childhood 14:10 Compounding Mindset and Wisdom 19:25 Finding Purpose and Identity in Retirement 23:21 The Emotional and Psychological Challenges of Retirement 28:20 The Importance of Financial Literacy 35:25 The Fear of Running Out of Money in Retirement 37:47 Achieving Financial Independence without Being Good with Money 42:56 The Three Secrets of the Happiest Retirees 43:05 The Three Secrets to the Happiest Retirees 44:05 Taking Care of Your Health 45:01 Having a Sense of Purpose 46:44 Debt and Financial Freedom 48:29 The Importance of Good Health 49:26 The Value of Purpose in Retirement 50:23 The Inflation Rate for Retirees 52:13 Planning and Intention in Retirement 53:10 Finding a Sense of Purpose in Retirement 54:08 What Financial Freedom Looks Like Episode Links & Resource Buy Eric’s book Don’t Retire… Graduate!Listen to Eric’s PodcastConnect with Eric on LinkedInWealthGPS – Lifestyle Financial Planning by TFPDownload My FREE Retirement ToolkitSubscribe to my Super Sunday Retirement Roundup Newsletter

Summary In this episode, Ed Coambs, a financial planner, and therapist, discusses the challenges couples face in managing money and planning for retirement. He shares his personal journey from being a firefighter to becoming a financial planner and therapist. Ed emphasizes the importance of understanding one's own relationship with money and how it impacts relationships. He introduces the concept of financial intimacy and explains how it can help couples navigate the complexities of retirement planning. Ed also highlights the role of attachment theory in understanding couples' dynamics around money. In this conversation, Ed and I discuss the challenges couples face when transitioning from work to retirement and how financial therapy can help. He emphasises the importance of creating a safe space for vulnerability and open communication. He also explores the influence of childhood experiences on money management and the challenge of spending money in retirement. Our conversation highlights the need for balance in money management and the role of financial therapy in helping couples live a happy and fulfilling retirement. Takeaways . Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 06:15 The Journey to Financial Therapy 10:35 The Healthy Love and Money Way 23:34 The Importance of Financial Intimacy 28:00 The Struggle to Transition from Work to Retirement 32:38 Creating a Safe Space for Vulnerability 35:12 The Influence of Childhood Experiences on Money 38:18 The Challenge of Spending Money in Retirement 44:07 The Importance of Balance in Money Management 51:08 The Role of Financial Therapy in Retirement Episode Links & Resources Go see Ed’s WebsiteBuy Ed’s book The Healthy Love and Money Way Listen to Ed’s Healthy Love and Money PodcastCheck out Ed’s Online Courses for CouplesConnect with Ed on LinkedInConnect with Ed on XWealthGPS – Lifestyle Financial Planning by TFPDownload My FREE Retirement ToolkitSubscribe to my Super Sunday Retirement Roundup Newsletter

Summary Have you ever herd of ‘the sandwich generation’? Are you part of it? And if so, what challenges does it bring to your retirement? Well. In this episode I get to have a conversation with a guy that has literally wrote the book on the subject! Mark Bineham is one of Australia’s top keynote speakers on retirement and the award-winning author of 'The Money Sandwich”. Mark’s goal has always been to help people live their very best life through positive mindset, promoting well-being and simply achieving financial freedom that much sooner, because in his words “we all deserve that, don’t we?. In 2019, a turning point occurred in his life when he underwent open-heart surgery. Prompting a re-evaluation of his 30-year career as a financial advisor, including four years as the national president of the Association of Financial Advisers. While he always loved helping his own clients reach their goals and aspirations, he realised most people just couldn’t afford help or advice, and that had to change. That’s when he decided to pour all the knowledge he gained over his career into a book, which he proudly titled The Money Sandwich and subsequently setting up a family business with his Daughter Katherine by the same name which enables him to take this message out to the wider world through presentations, workshops and courses. In this thought-provoking conversation Mark and I discuss the challenges faced by the sandwich generation, who are responsible for supporting both their adult children and aging parents. Mark emphasizes the importance of having conversations about retirement and estate planning with your elderly parents and adult children. He also introduces the concept of the 'third act' as a more positive and fulfilling way to approach retirement and highlights the need for mindset shifts and an understanding of the emotional aspects of money in order to achieve happiness in retirement. Our conversation explores changing attitudes towards work and retirement, the negative connotations of money, the impact of financial stress on productivity and health, the importance of talking about money, the value that financial planning professionals add at this stage of life, and what financial freedom looks and feels like. Takeaways Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:25 Unleashing Your Third Act 08:34 The Money Sandwich and the Sandwich Generation 14:30 Challenges of Supporting Adult Children 22:35 Challenges of Supporting Aging Parents 29:24 Reframing Retirement as the Third Act 38:44 Money Shifts for Happiness 45:31 Changing Attitudes Towards Work and Retirement 47:00 The Negative Connotations of Money 48:31 Financial Stress and its Impact on Productivity and Health 49:30 The Importance of Talking About Money 50:52 The Need for Financial Planning Professionals 53:51 What Financial Freedom Looks Like Episode Links & Resources Get Marc’s brilliant book The Money SandwichListen to The Money Sandwich PodcastVisit The Money Sandwich websiteConnect with Marc on LinkedInConnect with Marc on XWealthGPS – Lifestyle Financial Planning by TFPDownload My FREE Retirement ToolkitSubscribe to my Super Sunday Retirement Roundup Newsletter

Summary Christine is director of personal finance and retirement planning for Morningstar, Inc. In that role, she focuses on retirement and portfolio planning for individual investors. She also co-hosts a podcast for Morningstar, The Long View, which features in-depth interviews with thought leaders in investing and personal finance. and I was honoured to be asked to be a guest on last year (link in the show notes). She is a prolific writer and her published Morningstar articles are must reads for anyone interested in retirement planning. In this episode, Christine and I cover a lot of ground! We discuss various aspects of retirement planning, including blind spots, sequence risk, inflation, the bucketing approach to income management, the importance of continuing to work, and lessons for a happy and successful retirement. Christine emphasizes the need to consider both financial and non-financial aspects of retirement and to make choices that align with personal happiness and purpose and also highlights the value of working with a financial planner to navigate the complexities of retirement planning. Takeaways Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 07:15 The Blind Spots of Retirement 13:38 Mitigating Sequence Risk and Inflation 17:47 Bucketing Approach to Retirement Income 25:26 The Importance of Continuing to Work in Retirement 35:37 Lessons for a Happy, Successful, and Wealthy Retirement 38:20 Spending to Optimize Happiness 40:26 Living Life with No Regrets 48:15 The Value of Working with a Financial Planner 10:32 Common Retirement Planning Mistakes 23:45 The Role of Financial Advisors in Retirement Planning 34:56 The Impact of Behavioral Biases on Retirement Planning 43:21 The Value of Seeking Outside Help 51:09 Blind Spots and the Importance of Outside Perspective Episode Links & Resources Pre-order Christine’s book How to Retire: 20 Lessons For A Happy, Successful & Wealthy RetirementRead all of Christine’s brilliant stuff on retirement and investingSubscribe to her podcast The Long View Listen to my appearance on The Long View PodcastConnect with Christine on LinkedInConnect with Christine on XWealthGPS – Lifestyle Financial Planning by TFPDownload My FREE Retirement ToolkitSubscribe to my Super Sunday Retirement Roundup Newsletter