Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine we’d write a book, let alone one about retirement planning! But here we are, two busy women—my daughter Kristin and I—embarking on this unexpected and deeply meaningful journey together.
With fulfilling careers behind us (mine as a science teacher turned marketing director, and Kristin’s as a radiographer, project manager, property developer, and coach—while also being a supermum to two teenage boys!), we always thought retirement was something other people talked about.
Our story really began in 2006 when my husband John, a lawyer of 42 years, retired at 62. We thought he was heading into a blissful new chapter. But on Day One of retirement, after a casual grocery run and lunch, he suddenly collapsed in a restaurant, completely unconscious. An ambulance, hours of tests, and a very confused medical team later, a nurse asked him, “John, did you retire recently?” When he said yes, she replied, “You’re the fifth this week. Two walked out. Three left in body bags.”
That moment haunted us.
Physically, John was fine. But emotionally, he was lost. After decades of carrying his clients’ burdens, he felt he had no purpose and was not needed. He went back to work, not as a lawyer, but by starting and growing four successful businesses. When he retired again 10 years later, he did it differently: with a plan, purpose, and clarity.
His journey got us thinking… and talking. So many people we knew—smart, accomplished, prepared—were feeling disillusioned by retirement. Not because of money, but because they lacked direction. There’s plenty of financial advice out there, but hardly anything about the emotional and psychological shift that comes with retiring.
We saw a gap. And we decided to do something about it.
So together, Kristin and I set out to write the kind of book we wish had existed when John retired—one that helps people plan not just for how they’ll fund retirement, but how they’ll live it with joy, meaning, and purpose.
Because your retirement should be more than just time-filling. It should be life-fulfilling. 💛
Now that is the first part of the story. The rest can be found in our book, Dare to Retire Free, and with a 10% discount until 15 June, it is possible to make your retirement life-fulfilling. Simply use the code: June10Discount at the checkout.
For more in-depth planning, have a look at one of our online courses and until 15 June use the code: June10Discount at checkout. Go to https://www.smartretirement.co.nz/shop/ and use the code June10Discount for a copy of the book, Dare to Retire Free, or to enrol in one of our online courses
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