Take advantage of the power of your time in retirement with these mindset re-directs from retirement coach and author David Buck.

People often expect that it’s going to be the greatest feeling in the world to have all this free time on their hands when they retire. My guest on this week’s episode of “Retirement Revealed” has seen the numbers and heard the stories–aimless time isn’t the release-on-life many people imagined it would be in retirement.

David Buck, author and retirement coach, has committed his second act to helping teach people how to craft a meaningful retirement by rethinking their relationship with time. I’m all about helping you turn your savings into sustainable retirement income, but let’s also consider how to fill your days with purpose and fulfillment. David’s story and insights offer a thoughtful guide for anyone preparing for this big life change.

David ran the numbers and concluded that the average executive or high-level employee spends around 48 hours a week working, which is a significant portion of their “awake time.” When you suddenly remove that structure, you gain about 40% more time that you need to actively fill. David shared that, although he was prepared financially for retirement, he hadn’t initially considered what he would do with all his newfound free time. After years of defining himself by his work and accomplishments, the question became, “What’s next?”

It was during a routine meeting with his financial advisor that his wife brought up the question of early retirement. When his advisor laid out the path to an earlier retirement than he was planning for, the question sent David on a personal journey of discovery. For the first time, he started seriously pondering what he would do with all the additional hours his week would suddenly have.

Like many of us, David initially focused on a financial strategy, saving early and often to build a solid retirement foundation. Yet, the missing piece was a lifestyle strategy. Once he realized that a financial plan was only half the puzzle, he began to design a retirement that combined his financial capabilities with his personal goals and values. This approach allows for the freedom to enjoy retirement without feeling bound by either time constraints or financial concerns.

David encourages everyone to take a “lean budget” approach as a foundation—a budget that covers both essential needs and a reasonable amount of comfort. Then, consider what else you want out of life. When you combine a realistic financial plan with a lifestyle plan, you create a retirement strategy that is sustainable and fulfilling.

To help others avoid the pitfalls he encountered, David developed the Retirement Time Analysis. This self-assessment tool covers six key areas of life, from career mindset to personal goals, to help retirees structure their time and find meaning outside of work. When we’re working, much of our day is filled by work responsibilities, commuting, and meetings. In retirement, without a plan, that time becomes a void that needs to be purposefully filled. David’s process helps retirees analyze their strengths and identify areas for growth so they can step into retirement with a sense of purpose.

Many retirees, David explained, struggle with what he calls a “value vacuum”—a sense of emptiness when they no longer have work to define their day. The Retirement Time Analysis is a way to fill that vacuum by creating new structure and intentionality in your life.

The concept of work-life balance is frequently mentioned during one’s career, but David prefers the idea of flexibility over balance, especially as you transition into retirement. “Balance,” he says, implies a strict, 50-50 split between work and personal life, which isn’t always realistic. Flexibility, however, allows for an adaptable approach, where you can shift time and energy as life demands.

A few years ago, David experienced this need for flexibility firsthand when he spent a significant amount of time caring for his aging mother. During that period, he still wanted to work, but he needed the flexibility to adjust his schedule. Flexibility, David argues, is what enables retirees to enjoy the best of both worlds: continuing to contribute to projects that give them meaning while also spending quality time with family and friends.

David embraced what he calls a “semi-retirement” lifestyle. He created a mobile, cloud-based business that allows him to work from anywhere, on his own terms. This setup not only provides him with the professional satisfaction he craves but also lets him pursue personal interests and travel to visit family. Semi-retirement offers the perfect middle ground for those who still want to stay engaged but also crave the freedom to explore new pursuits.

Interestingly, David lives in a 55-plus community, which he likens to a “retirement laboratory.” Being around other retirees, he has the opportunity to observe what works well and what doesn’t in other people’s retirement journeys. It’s also shown him the value of staying socially and physically active—though, as he humorously points out, he hasn’t yet joined the “pickleball cult” that seems to captivate many retirees!

David and I also discussed the importance of working with a financial advisor who understands the “lifestyle” aspect of retirement planning. Financial stability is crucial, but a great advisor should go beyond the numbers, asking meaningful questions and respecting your individual goals. David sought an advisor who was willing to provide scenarios and help him strategize, rather than just managing investments. His goal was to feel empowered, not restricted by his financial plan.

David’s experience and encouragement resonated with the stories I’ve heard in my years as a financial advisor. For him, finding a financial advisor that he trusted and developing a plan that made sense for his current and future life freed him up to find meaning in purpose beyond finances. As he noted, you want an advisor who sees you as more than just a portfolio and who can support your vision for a fulfilling retirement.

The transition to retirement is an incredible opportunity to redefine how you spend your time and live with purpose. Whether you’re ready to embrace a semi-retirement like David or plan to “cold turkey” retire from work altogether, take the time to envision a life that is financially feasible and deeply fulfilling.

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Additional Links:

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• “The Time-Optimized Life: Moving Everyday Preparation, Execution and Control from Finite to Infinite” by David Buck
  
• Infinity Lifestyle Designs – David Buck
  
• David Buck on LinkedIn
  

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