“Will I Have to Give Up Everything I enJOY?”
When you hear the word budget, do you get a knot in your stomach?
Do you start picturing all the little JOYs that make your life rich—your morning coffee ritual, dining out with friends, those cherished trips to see the grandkids—disappearing in the name of “fiscal responsibility”?
Suddenly, your vision of your ideal tomorrow is replaced by worry:
- Second-guessing every decision
- Wondering what you’ll have to give up to get there
That fear is real. And it’s valid.
Too often, financial advice focuses on spreadsheets and projections—forgetting that behind every number are your dreams. Your JOY.
But here’s the truth:
A well-crafted retirement income plan shouldn’t feel like punishment.
It should feel like permission.
Permission to keep saying yes to the moments that bring you JOY.
A path to your ideal tomorrow—one that allows you to enJOY along the way.
You shouldn’t have to feel anxious every time you think about money.
Now imagine this instead…
You wake up each day knowing you have enough.
- Enough to enJOY life
- Enough to travel, take care of yourself, give to others
- Enough to say “yes” to the things you love
You have a plan—a simple one—that helps you spend wisely without cutting out the things that bring you JOY.
A Retirement That Feels Free, Fun, and Fulfilling
At Mitlin Financial, we believe retirement isn’t just about money.
It’s about living with purpose and JOY.
That’s why we start by learning what matters most to you—
Then we craft a plan that supports the life you envision.
Build a JOY-based Budget
Here’s how to create a retirement budget that makes you feel excited about the future:
- Start With What Brings You JOY
Grab a notebook and write down five things that bring you JOY.
This could be travel, hobbies, time with family, or even your daily latte.
Yes, an advisor just said your daily latte.
These are the things we will protect in your budget—not remove.
- Think of Your Budget as a JOY Plan
Most people think a budget means “less.”
But what if it meant more of what matters?
Your budget is a tool to help you keep the things you love—while ensuring your future is secure.
- Track Spending Without Shame
Look at where your money goes each month.
- Are you spending on what brings you JOY?
- Or just out of habit?
We help clients review this without guilt.
It’s not about being perfect—it’s about being intentional.
- Stay Flexible
Life changes.
Your budget should change with it.
Build in some extra room for surprises and spontaneous JOY.
A good plan isn’t strict—it’s smart.
A family we served recently asked if they had to stop taking cruises to retire without worry.
We ran the numbers and guess what?
Not only could they keep cruising—they added in some spa days too.
That’s what budgeting for JOY looks like.
Choose Joy on Purpose
At Mitlin Financial, we ask you:
“What did you do today that brought you joy?”
That’s not just a conversation starter—it’s our guide.
We want you to live a life of meaning, connection, and JOY.
You’ve worked hard for this next chapter.
Let’s make sure it feels like a celebration, not a countdown.
It would be our privilege to discuss your future and how to plan for a life of purpose, meaning, and JOY!
Please feel free to schedule a 30-minute Zoom Meeting to see how we can assist.
