You don’t need $2 to $3 million to retire unless your lifestyle truly requires it. In this episode, we break down why your retirement number should be built around your personal spending needs, not a one-size-fits-all benchmark.

With a well-diversified $1.5 million portfolio, many retirees can support $60,000 to $75,000 per year in spending, especially when using flexible withdrawal strategies that adjust with market conditions. We dive into how spending can adapt over time and how Social Security benefits can reduce the burden on your investments.

We also explore a real-world retirement budget to show how far your money can go, including housing, healthcare, travel, and more. Plus, we discuss one of the most overlooked issues: retirees often underspend out of fear, even when their financial plan says they’re in the clear.

Whether you’re years away or nearing the transition, this episode helps you shift from anxiety to clarity and reminds you that retirement isn’t just a number, it’s a strategy.

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Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult your CPA or attorney regarding your specific situation.

The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.

Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsements.

Participation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

Retiring early doesn’t mean cutting out everything you love, it means being intentional about what truly adds value to your life. In this episode of Root Talks, we take a closer look at the spending choices that can either delay or accelerate your path to early retirement.

We explore which tradeoffs are worth making, where small changes can have a big impact on your timeline, and why some expenses are still worth every penny. This isn’t just about saving money—it’s about aligning your spending with your values, your future goals, and the life you actually want to live.

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Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult with your CPA or attorney regarding your specific situation.

Viewing this video does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. We only provide advisory services to clients under a written agreement. Investment strategies discussed may not be suitable for everyone. All investments involve risk, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Any opinions expressed are as of the date of recording and are subject to change.

Comments left on this video reflect the views and opinions of the individual commenters and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial Partners, LLC. Comments should not be considered a testimonial or endorsement of our services and have not been solicited or compensated. Root does not verify the accuracy of comments and is not responsible for their content.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.

In this episode, Ari and James explore the emotional and practical sides of retiring—specifically, how to have the conversation that officially ends your career.

Whether you're months away or years out, this discussion tackles the fear, hesitation, and freedom that come with telling your boss you're done. You'll hear real stories from Root Collective members who’ve taken the leap, insights on counteroffers, and a powerful reframe: every “yes” to more work is a “no” to your time, your family, your dreams.

Hear more stories from the Root Community here: https://www.skool.com/rootcollective/what-was-your-experience-when-you-told-your-employer-you-were-retiring

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Advisory services are offered through Root Financial Partners, LLC, an SEC-registered investment adviser. This content is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered personalized investment, tax, or legal advice. Viewing this content does not create an advisory relationship. We do not provide tax preparation or legal services. Always consult an investment, tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.

The strategies, case studies, and examples discussed may not be suitable for everyone. They are hypothetical and for illustrative and educational purposes only. They do not reflect actual client results and are not guarantees of future performance. All investments involve risk, including the potential loss of principal.

Comments reflect the views of individual users and do not necessarily represent the views of Root Financial. They are not verified, may not be accurate, and should not be considered testimonials or endorsements

Participation in the Retirement Planning Academy or Early Retirement Academy does not create an advisory relationship with Root Financial. These programs are educational in nature and are not a substitute for personalized financial advice. Advisory services are offered only under a written agreement with Root Financial.

Create Your Custom Early Retirement Strategy Here

Get access to the same software I use for my clients and join the Early Retirement Academy here

Ari Taublieb, CFP ®, MBA is the Chief Growth Officer of Root Financial Partners and a Fiduciary Financial Planner specializing in helping clients retire early with confidence.