Retire With Purpose - The Retirement Podcast 538: Freedom After 50: Why Enough Is a Mindset, Not a Number
Dec 12, 2025
Les McDaniel, a certified retirement coach and financial advisor, joins the discussion on redefining what 'enough' means in retirement. They explore how believing one never has enough can hinder joy, revealing the perils of oversaving and the downsides of the FIRE movement. The conversation shifts to the importance of pursuing curiosity and creativity over constant striving, emphasizing that self-worth should precede financial wealth. Ultimately, they advocate for using money to enable meaningful experiences rather than simply chasing a number.
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Define 'Enough' Before You Chase It
- Many retirees never defined what 'enough' looked like before chasing wealth and lost time they could've enjoyed earlier.
- Casey Weade emphasizes that defining enough lets you live a fulfilling retirement sooner rather than later.
Client Who 'Saved Too Well'
- Les McDaniel recounts a client who 'saved too well' and now faces challenges from having excess wealth to manage.
- The couple could've enjoyed retirement earlier if they'd set an enough goal and planned around it.
FIRE Can Buy Security, Not Purpose
- Early retirees from the FIRE movement often find security without lasting joy and can feel bored or miserable after quitting.
- Casey Weade suggests escaping burnout by keeping meaningful parts of work instead of abandoning everything.
