How Much CAN You Spend?

September 26, 2026

Most retirement planning starts with one question:

“How much do I need?”

And I say this all the time — that should be the starting point for everyone.

How much money do you need to spend every month to maintain your lifestyle and replace your income when you stop working?

But once we know that number, there’s another question I really like to ask:

“How much CAN I spend?”

That’s where the conversation starts to change… and gets exciting.

“How much do I need?” is about making sure the bills are covered and you can stop working without worrying about running out of money.

“How much CAN I spend?” is about figuring out what else your money can do for you.

Maybe you want to travel more.

Maybe you want to help your kids out as they start their lives.

Maybe there’s a classic car you’ve always wanted.

Or more nights out to dinner.

Maybe it’s simply the peace of mind that comes from knowing you’re covered well beyond what you actually need.

We all want different things. And good financial planning is about figuring out exactly what your money is capable of providing.

You’ve spent decades accumulating it. Let it work for you now.

Without a doubt, one of the most important starting points is knowing how much money you spend every month.

But running the numbers to see how you can maximize what you’ve built is just as important.

“How much do I need?”

That tells us when work can become optional.

“How much CAN I spend?”

That tells us what’s possible.

Whether you’re 12 months away from stopping work or 12 years away, it starts with putting a game plan in place.

Because without one, you really have no idea what’s possible.

We’re happy to help you work through your numbers.