For many successful professionals, retirement planning is often approached as a financial milestone: portfolio targets, tax strategies, legacy structures. But one critical question is often overlooked:
What will your life look like when work is no longer the centerpiece?
Before making that transition, consider a simple but powerful exercise: take a week off this summer and live as if you’re already retired.
Take a Retirement Test Drive
One of the best ways to prepare for retirement actually has nothing to do with your investment portfolio.
Try to take a week off from work this summer and structure your days as if your career has already stepped into the background. No early meetings. No constant email checks. No default schedule.
Instead, spend that week living as though you're already retired.
Pay attention to…
- What time do you naturally wake up?
- How active do you want your days to be?
- Do you enjoy having an open schedule, or do you miss structure?
- How much money do you naturally spend?
- What actually brings you joy when no one is telling you what to do?
You Might Spend Less… or Maybe More
As you go through your “retirement week,” one of the most eye-opening things to watch is how your spending naturally changes.
A lot of people assume retirement automatically means spending less, and sometimes that’s true. You’re not commuting, buying work clothes, or grabbing lunch between meetings, so some everyday expenses naturally go down.
But even over the course of a single week, you may notice different kinds of spending start to show up.
With more free time, you might find yourself spending a bit more on things you enjoy. Maybe you go out for coffee more often, pick up supplies for a hobby, or pay for an activity you wouldn’t normally have time for during a busy workweek. Even small choices can add up in ways that feel different from your usual routine.
The big takeaway? Retirement spending isn’t necessarily lower; it’s just different.
Instead of focusing on cutting back, it’s more helpful to think about how your spending might shift and what kind of lifestyle you really want. That’s where your “test retirement” becomes especially valuable. Pay attention to where your money goes during that week. It can give you a much clearer picture of what you’ll actually need and whether your current plan supports the life you’re imagining.
You Might Discover You Don't Want to Fully Retire
One of the biggest surprises people run into during a retirement "test week" is realizing they still like working, just not in the same way they used to. You might find yourself thinking, “Hey, I wouldn’t mind working a few days a week,” or maybe consulting, starting a small business, teaching, mentoring, or volunteering in a way that feels meaningful. These days, retirement isn’t always about stopping work completely; it’s more about having the freedom to decide how you want to spend your time.
Don't Forget Your Partner
If you're married or in a long-term relationship, retirement isn't just your transition; it affects both of you. You might be dreaming about traveling every month, while your partner would rather stay closer to home. Maybe you’re looking forward to quiet, slow mornings, and they’re excited about filling the calendar with activities. Taking time to try out retirement together—even for just a week—can help you uncover these differences and start conversations that are much easier to have now than after retirement begins.
Let Your Lifestyle Shape Your Plan
One of the biggest benefits of giving retirement a "test run" is that it helps you move beyond guessing. When you have a clearer picture of how you want to spend your time, it's easier to make decisions about things like your budget, when to take income, tax strategies, charitable giving, and even the legacy you want to leave your family.
Your retirement lifestyle shouldn't be something you discover by accident. It should be something you plan for intentionally. That’s where we can help. If you'd like help making sure your finances support the life you want to live, let's start that conversation today.