Summary

“Live well today and live well tomorrow.” Roger Whitney

Known as the Retirement Answer Man, Roger helps people manage time to create a meaningful financial life and to work toward independence. As a financial planner and retirement guru you may be thinking he is all about saving now for tomorrow but contrary to this he is more about balance- how to have more today and tomorrow.

Roger Whitney has for 24 years expertly guided countless individuals and families to financial freedom and retirement. In this episode we discuss the ins and outs of money, investing and living a life with balance without sacrificing tomorrow. Importantly also we chat about how we can create a life that we don’t want to retire from.

Achieving financial freedom is more than investing! Financial freedom requires lots of continual little “right” decisions about priorities and time and resource allocation. It requires consistent quality, on-going attention and knowing the key questions to ask. Not easy!

Everyone can work towards financial freedom! I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did and until next time, peace, passion, purpose and happy retirement.

Key Take Outs

“Get more intentional in creating a life that is more sustainable.”

• Stagnant at work? How do you keep the passion alive? The goal is to keep learning and continue to improve yourself and your value. If you do these you will open up other areas of curiosity and areas to become fascinated by. The idea is to pivot slightly without risking it all for something entirely new.

If you are stagnant and you simply cannot see any further growth there, quit or find something else. It is likely that the skills, strengths and talents can be transferred to any other discipline and perhaps one that will provide you with greater life rewards.

• Power Zone. This was described at the time in our 40s when we have most potential to make impact in our lives in what we do. We have studied and had great experience and still got energy and years to continue our art and learn. These are typically the golden years when we become highly valuable and can share a great deal to others.
• Definition of retirement. The term was adapted from the meaning to withdraw, to put away or seclude. This was how it has come about. After years of physical exertion our bodies need to essentially be put on the shelf- around our 60’s. This is not longer the case, for most of us we have energy, physical ability and a functioning brain to work well beyond those considered retirement age.
• Multidimensional approach. How we live our lives is no longer one-dimensional. To follow the typical path that for many of us we have come to know is no longer plausible. We can now approach life from multiple dimensions. Enjoying what we love now while still moving towards gaining freedom so that at the typical “retirement age” we can continue doing what we love but with greater freedom.
• Financial Plan. How to look at your future of retirement to assess whether or not you are on the right path. Assess your current state of financial affairs. Assess what your future desired lifestyle cost will be and then on your current path, is there a gap? Your goal is to close the gap.
• Invest in yourself. The greatest investment we can make is not in real estate or shares but rather in ourselves. If you can improve your self worth your personal value you can go towards creating a life of your design, one that you won’t want to retire from.
• SMART Sprinting. Set goals around three key areas: financial, professional and personal. Try visualising your future and your ideal life without being stuck in exactly what it is going to be, vision or goals long-term. Then short-term you need to set goals that will take you towards those visions you have. Each year you can update these goals and reset goals based on these key areas.
• Know your net worth. Roger’s advice is that we should all know our net worth at all times. This will help you better set and make decisions around your financial goals.

What advice would you give to your 20-year-old self?

Realise that life is a journey and not just trying to get some place. You don t have to figure it all out straight away.

Roger’s interpretation of success

I’m living it! Provide for my family and serving as many people as I can to help improve their lives.

Quick round questions

Favourite Food

Pizza

Favourite Leisure Activitiy

Podcasting & cross fit

Favourite book(s)

Ask It: The Question That Will Revolutionize How You Make Decisions by Andy Stanley

Roger’s book at the time of recording was not released but keep your eye out for it.

Screw the Word Retirement: How to Create a Life You Don’t Want to Retire From

Quote

“Information is a commodity. You cannot goggle wisdom.”

 

What does living life with passion and purpose mean?

Finding out what you were put on this earth to do, you have something to give to somebody. No one will tell you what that is so you have to figure it out, and you will love the journey.

How to find Roger and other links

Find our more about Roger and his blog visit The Retirement Answer Man website here. You can also get the questionnaire to use if you are considering in engaging in the services of a financial advisor.

Roger also has a hit podcast called The Retirement Answer Man.