One of the most surprising conversations we have with wealthy successful people isn't about investing.
It's not about stocks, bonds, taxes, or even retirement accounts.
It's about fear. Specifically, the fear of running out of money.
What's interesting is that this fear doesn't just affect people who have very little. In fact, some of the people who worry most about running out of money or broke have accumulated significant wealth over their lifetimes. We've met individuals with tens of millions of dollars, business owners who have built successful companies, and retirees who have more assets than they ever imagined possible, yet they still lie awake at night wondering if they have enough.
Why? Because money is emotional.
For most people, the fear of running out of money has very little to do with mathematics and Monte Carlo simulations and everything to do with life experiences. Perhaps you grew up watching your parents struggle financially. Perhaps you lived through multiple recessions, market crashes, or business setbacks. Maybe you spent decades being the provider for your family and can't imagine what would happen if the money stopped coming in. Maybe you remember starting with nothing, and there is the fear of someday having nothing.
The reality is that many successful people spent 30 or 40 years accumulating wealth. Their entire financial life was built around saving, investing, and preparing for the future. Then retirement arrives, and suddenly they're expected to do the opposite. Instead of accumulating assets, they're supposed to spend them.
That transition is much harder emotionally than most people realize.
For years, your financial scorecard was very simple. Save more, earn more, invest more.
Now the question becomes, "Can I actually enjoy what I've built?"
That's where anxiety begins.
We've found that the biggest source of financial stress is uncertainty. People aren't necessarily worried because they don't have money. They're worried because nobody has shown them, with confidence, how they do — and how to create a mailbox money retirement paycheck they can depend on in the future.
That's why our process starts with answering one critical question:
Do you have enough? Not enough for someone else. Not enough based on a generic retirement calculator. Enough, importantly, to have that peace of mind at night and not worry you'll go broke.
The FEAR of going broke is always a far greater emotion than the GREED of making more money. This is what we do for our members every day.
The goal isn't simply to manage assets. Because you understand that what wealth is capable of doing for someone, something remarkable happens. Peace begins to shift. Instead of constantly wondering whether you can afford the next trip, buy a vacation home, or make a charitable gift, you begin making decisions with confidence.
Money should create freedom. It should create opportunities. It should create peace of mind.
If you've spent your entire life building wealth but still find yourself worrying about running out of money, the issue may simply be that you don't have a plan that allows you to see the future clearly. Or the right people by your side who can help you manage your process.
Sometimes the greatest return on investment isn't earning more money. It's finally sleeping well at night.
Ted Jenkin
CFP®, AWMA®, AAMS®, CEPA® Managing Partner & Chief Marketing Officer ยท Exit Wealth®
All opinions expressed in this newsletter is for general informational purposes and constitutes the judgment of the author(s) as the date of the newsletter. The opinions and views expressed by the author are personal and based on economic or market conditions at the time of publication. Actual economic or market events may turn out differently than anticipated. Nothing in this material is intended to serve as personalized investment, tax, or insurance advice. These opinions are subject to change without notice and are not intended to provided specific advice or recommendations for any individual.
The material has been gathered from sources believed to be reliable, however Exit Wealth® cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of such information, and certain information presented here any have been condensed or summarized from its original source. To determine which investments may be appropriate for you, consult your financial advisor prior to investing. As always, please remember investing involves risk and possible loss of principal capital and past performance does not guarantee future returns; please seek advice from a licensed professional.
