It’s not uncommon to speak with someone who believes that we spend decades of our lives looking forward to the day we can finally stop working.

We build our financial plans, calculate our retirement numbers, and dream of a life with no alarm clocks or urgent meetings. This is a common cultural assumption.

But what happens when the permanent holiday actually begins?

In “Good Money”, John Coleman explores another pillar of human flourishing: meaning and purpose.

His insights remind us that while financial independence is a wonderful goal, a balance sheet to achieve that goal cannot give us a reason to get up in the morning. Many of us naturally tie a major part of our identities to a career or the ability to provide for our families.

When that season eventually draws to a close, it is incredibly common to hit an unexpected emotional wall. We often view our later years as running away from the demands of work. But a life of pure, uninterrupted leisure can quickly lose its shine if we don't have something meaningful to run toward.

This is because we are naturally wired to contribute and grow.

We need quiet challenges to stay sharp, and we need a deep sense of purpose to feel truly alive. This is where we might need to gently shift how we talk about retirement and financial freedom.

True wealth isn't just about buying the ability to do absolutely nothing. It is about buying the autonomy to choose our next meaningful endeavour.

Perhaps it is time to ask ourselves what our "second act" might look like when the pressure to earn is finally lifted.

It might involve dedicating our time to a philanthropic cause, mentoring the next generation in our community, or mastering a completely new craft.

When we align our financial plans with a deeper sense of purpose, our money stops being just a safety net. It becomes the fuel for our most meaningful chapter yet.

Fifty-to-eighty could be our most meaningful years in life!