The two most important numbers in your retirement plan
And why knowing them can bring you peace of mind
Key Takeaways:
Most retirement advice tells you to chase a large portfolio balance — but that’s not what matters most
Just two numbers can give you the clarity you actually need
“Comparison is the thief of joy”… except when it helps you compare these two numbers
When you know your numbers, you can stop guessing and start feeling confident about your future
This isn’t about cutting back — it’s about spending with clarity and freedom
You’ve probably heard the phrase “comparison is the thief of joy.”
And it’s true — especially with money matters.
Comparing your finances to someone else’s can leave you feeling like you’ve fallen behind, even if you’ve done everything right.
But there’s one kind of comparison that’s not only helpful — it’s essential.
It’s the comparison between:
How much you spend today
How much you can confidently spend in retirement
This simple analysis can take the mystery out of retirement and replace it with peace of mind.
What you spend now
This is your real number - not what you think you spend or what you hope to spend.
It’s what actually goes out each month:
groceries
travel
health care
family support
taxes
home repairs
the full picture... everything!
Many women I talk to don’t have a good handle on their current spending.
That’s normal.
Money moves in and out of different accounts, and life is busy.
But knowing this number is key, because it sets the stage for everything else.
Not so you can cut back — but so you can plan ahead.
Tools like Monarch Money can help.
What you can confidently spend later
Think of this as your Retirement Paycheck — the amount you can confidently spend each month in retirement without running out of money.
Just like your paycheck during your working years, this number tells you what’s safe to spend, what you can count on, and what fits your lifestyle.
It’s based on your savings, investments, spending flexibility, and time horizon.
It also includes income from Social Security, pensions, ongoing work, and anything else that might contribute to your personal retirement paycheck.
And it accounts for taxes, inflation, market ups and downs, health care costs, and anything else life may throw your way.
When I work with clients to calculate their Retirement Paycheck, we’re not simply crunching numbers.
We’re talking about what a good life looks like — and how to make that life feel doable.
Not daunting.
Where the right comparison matters
When you line up your current spending next to your Retirement Paycheck, you get clarity.
If they match — or your Retirement Paycheck is even higher — you’ve achieved financial independence.
If there’s a gap, that’s where planning becomes powerful.
You may have more flexibility than you think, and even small adjustments can make a big difference.
This is a comparison that’s helpful, not hurtful.
It’s not about measuring yourself against anyone else.
It’s about aligning your life today with the one you want tomorrow.
Ignore the headlines and the hype
You don’t need some magical portfolio balance or to have saved $XXX by age YY.
You don’t need to follow someone else’s rules.
You just need to know your two most important numbers — and what they mean for you.
When you do, the fog clears.
You can stop wondering, “Can I really retire?” and start answering, “How do I want to live?”
Want help finding your numbers?
You’ve worked hard, made smart choices, and taken care of the people you love.
Now it’s time to take care of yourself.
You deserve to feel confident and free in this next chapter.
So let me ask:
Do you know how much you’re spending today?
Do you know what your Retirement Paycheck looks like?
If not, that’s okay.
That’s exactly what I help women like you figure out — with clarity, care, and no pressure.
And once you know these numbers, retirement starts to feel a whole lot lighter.
Let’s find YOUR numbers…
Together.
Thank you for reading.
If you have any questions or suggested topics, please reply or leave a comment below.
Hope you have a great 4th of July!
Until next Wednesday,
Russ