John and his wife Val are enjoying every minute of their retirement together, busy fulfilling their wanderlust. Whilst their wings may have been temporarily clipped by COVID travel restrictions, they are planning ahead to next year’s adventures. 

John explains how pivotal astute financial planning has been in enabling them both to follow their shared passion for travel:

Early Retirement 

Sound financial planning has given us the freedom to do whatever we want; we’ve certainly accomplished more than we could have ever imagined 25 years ago, when Val and I were considering our future plans.

I part-owned a company in the City during the 90s and retired early, at the age of 60, after I sold my share of the business.   

Overcoming my Financial Phobia 

During my time in the City, I became very sceptical of financial advisers. I am not ashamed to say that I was cynical about their role and any impact they could have on my financial future. That was until I met Maria; she couldn’t be any further away from your archetypal financial adviser or should I say my perceptions of one based on previous experiences. 

Trust is Everything

A relationship with a financial adviser is all about trust and that trust needs to be earned. We’ve built up that trust with Maria for close to 20 years and she has become just like a member of our family with our very best interests at heart. 

My wife Val knows that if anything ever happened to me, Maria will be by her side to help navigate managing the estate and family finances. 

It’s that trust and the strength in our relationship that has helped secure a very comfortable lifestyle and complete financial freedom. I tell Maria what we want to achieve with our finances and leave her to do what she does best.

Financial Freedom 

Put it this way – I will run out of steam, well before the money runs out, thanks to Maria’s astute planning and guidance. Apart from the 25% tax-free lump sum, we haven’t even had to touch our pensions yet.

It means that we can pursue our dreams and what makes us feel most alive, free from any financial concerns. 

Upsizing not Downsizing

When I retired, I had renewed energy and a new lease of life. Unlike most retirees instead of downsizing our home we moved up the property ladder and bought a bigger house, which would simply have not been possible without the financial knowledge and support of Maria. 

Travelling in Style 

For us being able to take off and explore the world whenever the desire takes hold has been one of the biggest advantages of financial planning. We have been to Australia, India, Kenya and to our beloved South Africa. 

Since retiring we have returned to South Africa over 20 times (at least twice a year) and on every long-haul flight we turn left as we enter the plane to appreciate the luxury of first class.

Val is a keen wildlife photographer and has been able to develop her talent travelling around the world; the photographs featured in this article are hers, taken on the Timbavati Game Reserve, bordering Kruger National Park in South Africa.

Next year, I am following a dream to cycle two of the big climbs (10km at 8% gradient) of the Tour de France, along with members of my gym club at home – proof that you’ve never too old to follow your heart.

If travelling broadens the mind, then shrewd financial planning makes it possible.