Transformation:
Martin and Sue’s Journey to Financial Clarity
Written by Nila Mistry
25/07/2023
A catalyst for change
How joyful and amazing would you feel if your dreams were to come true?
Martin and Sue have realised their retirement dreams. They enjoy a fulfilling and comfortable life, looking towards an incredible second half of their life – their version of retirement.
In this blog, I want to explore their inspiring story. I’ll share how they were able to:
- Overcome the limiting beliefs that were holding them back.
- Avoid procrastination and move forward.
- Feel empowered and knowledgeable.
- Build a financial plan around their dreams and retirement vision.
Martin and Sue are a happy couple in their early 60s, loving their semi-retired life. Here’s their money story:
Sue has had challenging experiences with another person’s secretive overspending and debt. When we first met, Martin and Sue shared many of the same limiting beliefs about money. Both felt bewildered by their options but determined to take control of their financial future. Inheriting money was their catalyst for change. To move forward, they needed to visualise their financial reality.
A holistic approach
My approach to financial life planning has you at its centre. It’s holistic. Together we create a vision.
We begin by visualising your perfect life. We challenge your money mindset and any barriers. My blog Vision and Goals – Making Your Dreams a Reality explains the start of this information gathering process. Taking steps towards your vision can only happen if you know where you want to go.
Here are some of the dreams and goals Martin and Sue shared with me:
- Spend quality time and holidays with our children and their families
- Buy a new property and build a happy life within the local community
- Travel regularly and visit countries on our bucket list
Breaking Free from Limiting Beliefs
Martin and Sue’s financial journey started with us looking at their view of money. Sue had been through financial struggles in her previous marriage. She carried the weight of past debt and unhelpful financial advice. As a couple, they confronted these beliefs head-on and sought to rewrite their financial narrative.
During my exploration sessions with Martin and Sue, I took the time to get to know them on a deeper level. Through our discussions, they discovered more about themselves, visualised their aspirations, and opened up to what they wanted their life to look like. I encouraged them to paint a vivid picture of their ideal future. We delved into their worries and areas where they felt stuck, addressing concerns about health, mobility, retirement, and whether they had enough money to sustain their desired lifestyle. These candid conversations laid the foundation for their transformative financial journey.
Intention and Purpose
As they clarified their financial situation, Martin and Sue began to discover what truly mattered to them. Indecision was no longer a hindrance, as they were now clear on their priorities.
One of their dreams was to move from Essex to Gloucestershire and find their forever home.
Financial life planning looks at giving every pound a clear intention and purpose. Instead of merely seeing money as numbers on a spreadsheet or bank statement,
Martin and Sue now understand the significance of their savings and investments in shaping their desired life. Decisions about how to spend or save have a clear purpose. Each choice between spending or saving is a step towards creating the life they envision.
Embracing Your Financial Reality
Instead of dwelling on past experiences, Martin and Sue began to focus on their financial reality. Together we analysed their income, expenses, and assets. They needed to understand their financial position accurately. This newfound clarity allowed them to make informed decisions and address financial gaps.
One significant step in their transformation was creating a comprehensive cash flow plan. By projecting their income and expenses into the future, they could see the possibilities and challenges ahead. The couple gained a deeper understanding of how much is enough to sustain their desired lifestyle.
With the help of cash flow planning, Martin and Sue understand their financial situation. They’re making decisions confidently and have stopped worrying about money.
Beliefs and Values
Financial wealth is undoubtedly significant because it gives us options, but it’s not the only type of wealth we should strive to create. It’s important to remember that money alone can’t bring us true happiness or a sense of purpose. My recent blog Nurturing True Wealth, explains that wealth is not simply about your money.
With a clearer understanding of true wealth, Martin and Sue achieved their dream of buying a home in Gloucestershire. With financial clarity, they found a place that resonated with their beliefs and values. They felt able to commit. Now their focus is on creating a harmonious environment and becoming more involved in community life in their retirement years.
A Life Free from Financial Worry
The transformation in Martin and Sue’s financial mindset brought them clarity and freedom from worry. The fear of making poor decisions no longer burdens them. Instead, they now move forward confidently. Their plans have purpose. They feel secure in the knowledge that they have made well-considered choices.
Martin and Sue’s mindset transformation is an inspiring tale of self-awareness. Their story demonstrates how aligning our financial decisions with our beliefs and values is possible with expert financial coaching. We can all pave the way for a fulfilling and secure future.
These are the kind words Martin and Sue shared about their financial transformation:
“(We) quickly warmed to her (Nila’s) sensitive and sensible approach to financial advice and planning. Nila made us think more strategically in terms of our financial goals. She made very good recommendations for short-term planning, showing us the importance of, for instance, setting aside monies for specific events as well as clearing all our debts before planning for the future. She helped us set up longer-term pension and investment portfolios which have given us great peace of mind for the future… She has also helped us direct our investments towards options that align with our own outlooks.”
Are you Ready to transform your finances?
Traditional financial planning rarely results in transformation, in my experience, because it focuses on selling a plan or policy that fulfills a single goal or need. If your adviser doesn’t explore your lifestyle aspirations, values, outlook, and goals, they inevitably make assumptions. I can’t subscribe to this methodology.
Financial life planning must be about YOU, not me as your adviser.
Have you saved enough to retire? If you’re considering retirement but don’t know if you have enough to make it possible, my simple 7-step process is designed for you. It’s easy to understand and straight to the point – like me! Click here to find out more.
I’d love to help you build the bright future you desire. Book a call today, and let’s begin your transformation.
*Martin and Sue’s experiences and testimonials are genuine and shared with their kind permission. I’ve changed their names and some personal details to protect their anonymity.