Meet Susan—How She Created a Life of Financial & Personal Freedom

Susan, a 52-year-old teacher, prided herself on her financial prudence. Over the years, she diligently saved $100,000, tucking it away in her savings account. "It’s safe," she thought, "and it earns interest." However, despite her discipline, she often felt uneasy about whether her money would last through retirement.

One day, over coffee, Susan shared her concerns with her son, Alex. “I’ve worked hard for this money, Alex. It’s in the bank, earning a bit of interest, but I’m not sure if it’s enough.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Mom, with inflation and how long people are living these days, that might not be as safe as you think. Have you ever spoken to a financial planner?”

Susan shook her head. “Why would I? I’m not a risk-taker.”

Alex smiled. “There’s a difference between taking a gamble and making an informed decision. You need to talk to someone who can explain that. I know someone—a certified financial planner—who specializes in situations like yours. I think they could really help.”

Reluctantly, Susan agreed to meet with me. During our first session. I taught her about inflation, which silently erodes the purchasing power of money. We also discussed other risks including longevity risk—the possibility of outliving her savings. I explained how a diversified portfolio, including moderate-risk products like ETFs, could provide better long-term growth and protection against these risks.

“I never thought of it this way,” Susan admitted, seeing how her "safe" strategy might not sustain her. “You’re telling me that a bit of risk now could actually provide me more security later?”

“Exactly,” I said. “It’s about balancing your goals, risks, and timeline.”

With my guidance, Susan moved a portion of her savings into a well-diversified portfolio. Over time, she saw steady growth and gained peace of mind, knowing her money was working harder for her future.