This article is reprinted with permission from Esq. Wealth Management, Inc.
At EsqWealth, we believe that comprehensive financial planning goes far beyond what stocks you own, how your assets are held (for tax efficiency, asset protection, and long term security), and when you should start taking Social Security benefits. While those may be important questions, a true financial plan should also help fund the life you want to live in retirement, with a focus on experiences and relationships, not just purchases.
Recently, a couple I work with told me that for planning purposes, I should assume they would simply continue their current level of spending through retirement. After reviewing their plan together, I suggested we add a $50,000 annual travel budget to see how that might affect their long term outlook. The result? They were thrilled to learn they could maintain their lifestyle and afford the travel experiences they had dreamed about, all without jeopardizing their financial plan. For them, retirement became more than just sustainable, it became exciting.
That conversation got me thinking about how we define success in retirement. Yes, we want to avoid outliving our money. But more than that, we want to make the most of the time we have.
Retirement gives you something money can’t buy: time. Time to reconnect with what matters, explore new passions, deepen relationships, and create moments that truly last. But too often, we spend our money on things when what we really crave are experiences.
So here’s a better question: What would it look like to build your retirement wishlist around experiences instead of purchases? That shift in mindset can turn your later years into a deeply meaningful, joyful chapter, one that reflects your values, your personality, and your dreams.
It’s About the Feeling, Not the Price Tag
The memories that stay with us rarely come from flashy purchases. They come from how something made us feel. For example:
- Taking a cooking class with your spouse
- Hosting a family game night that becomes a tradition
- Teaching your grandchild how to fish, knit, or bake
Use Milestones to Create Meaning
You don’t need a reason to make a memory — but tying experiences to milestones can make them even more powerful:
- Mark your retirement with a road trip to the places you’ve always wanted to see
- Celebrate an anniversary with a surprise weekend getaway
- Take your grandchild to their first concert or big game
Spend With Intention, Not Impulse
Some of the most rewarding experiences aren’t expensive, just intentional:
- Sign up for a local class or group
- Treat yourself to a solo day exploring a nearby town
- Finally learn something you’ve always wanted to try, from photography to fly fishing to guitar
Make Space for Stillness
Not every moment needs to be bold. Sometimes, the richest experiences come in stillness:
- Take the scenic route
- Start a journal
- Sit outside with a good cup of coffee and just enjoy the view
Create Traditions That Last
What starts as a one-time event can become something much bigger:
- A yearly family camping trip
- A monthly lunch with close friends
- An annual weekend getaway with people you love
Retirement isn’t about accumulating more stuff — it’s about creating a life that feels rich in meaning. This is your time. Use it to explore, to connect, to live intentionally. Because the most valuable return on your investment isn’t measured in dollars — it’s measured in memories.
At EsqWealth, we help clients design retirement plans that reflect their real lives — not just line items. Whether it’s optimizing for tax efficiency, safeguarding assets, or making sure you can say “yes” to the experiences that matter most, our planning is tailored to the life you actually want to live. If you’re wondering whether your current plan supports the retirement you envision, we’re here to help you find out.
The information above is not intended to and should not be construed as specific advice or recommendations for any individual. The opinions voiced are for general information only and are not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. To discuss specific recommendations for any unique situation, please feel free to contact us.
