EP: 028 Don't Underspend in Retirement w/ Dan Haylett

In this episode I was thrilled to be joined by Dan Haylett. Dan is a multifaceted financial planner and the head of growth at TFP Financial Planning in the UK. He's also the mastermind behind "Humans versus Retirement," a podcast and content hub for anyone looking to live a retirement filled with purpose and experience true wealth.
Dan and I explore the crucial transition into retirement and the psychological shift required to go from accumulating wealth to spending it. We dive into Dan's latest white paper, "The Skill of Spending Money in Retirement," and discuss how retirees can overcome the ingrained habit of saving to truly enjoy their retirement.
We highlight how important it is to start planning for the second half of life and how retirees can embrace the opportunities and address the emotional barriers they face. Our conversation also underscores the importance of not just preparing financially for retirement but also considering the mental and emotional preparations needed to spend and enjoy your hard-earned money.
5 Key Takeaways:
- The Fragile Decade: Dan emphasizes the importance of the five years leading up to and following retirement, referred to as the fragile decade. This period is critical for transitioning mindset and planning how to spend retirement savings effectively.
- Identity Shift: Retirement marks a significant shift in identity. Recognizing and preparing for this change is essential, as it involves moving from a mindset of saving and accumulating to one of spending and enjoying.
- The Human Element and Spending Habits: Our conversation highlights the fear many retirees have of running out of money, leading them to underspend. Dan argues for the importance of transitioning from a saving habit to a spending mindset, backed by evidence showing many retirees die with more money than they started with.
- Retirement Phases: We discuss the phases of retirement—exploring, nesting, and reflecting—that reflect changes in health, time, and financial needs. Understanding these phases helps retirees spend their money when it can provide the most benefit and joy.
- Creating Memories: Dan talks about "memory dividends," which are the lasting emotional returns of spending money on experiences that create memories with loved ones. This concept encourages retirees to use their financial resources to build experiences that enrich their lives.
You can watch the full episode on YouTube here...
You can also find the audio versions on places like Spotify, Apple Podcasts and wherever else you listen to your favorite podcasts.
Make sure to check out some of the great recommendations that Dan provided and follow his content below:
READ + LISTEN + LEARN:
- Humans vs. Retirement - Dan's podcast website and blog with all kinds of practical ideas and resources for retirement
- "Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spending" by Elizabeth Dunn & Michael Norton
- "What Will I Do All Day?: Wisdom to Get You Over Retirement And on with Living" by Patrice Jenkins, Ph.D.
- "How to Retire: 20 Lessons for a Happy, Successful and Wealthy Retirement" by Christine Benz
FIND DAN @: