This Is the Single Most Important Thing You Can Do to Prepare for Retirement

[@JeffErbele]

James, thank you for the wake up call. I have been doing what I am supposed to do for so long…I no longer know what I want to do. It’s a scary place.

[@wadeglogiewicz7011]

Bravo James! One of the best genuine You Tubers that connect to the audience.. Much success to you and to all listeners to this channel!

[@NoLegalPlunder]

For me, financial independence means I can stop working at a job I felt forced to take, in order to pay the bills, to now take life spontaneously. Now I can go where my natural talents and desires take me.

[@erickarnell]

It doesn't matter how high we get on the ladder if it's leaning against the wrong wall.

[@Sailor279]

I’ve been watching for more than a year and this might be the best episode yet. Brings clarity to an otherwise unclear process! Thank you.

[@MatrixMatched]

Excellent direction & suggestions, James. Since I am pulling the retirement trigger at the end of this year, the timing is perfect. Thank you for: - your guidance - the retirement makeover - your video explaining the ‘guardrail’ approach - many more videos to learn from - and most importantly, to concentrate on what matters most: relationships and using what I’ve been given to make a difference in other people’s lives (and have fun doing it)

[@JohnHobbs-o3z]

I value time over everything,took me a long time to realize this,I am 64 and i know the clock is ticking .Live one day at a time,live right now,stop looking back,stop the what ifs,when worries set in bake some cookies,go for a walk,call a friend .

[@BrunoDeSoto]

You are wise beyond your years James. Your insights and exercises were very thought-provoking. I need to schedule a consultation with your team.

[@jimg1308]

I almost clicked away from this topic, it wasn't numbers and strategy that gives me that little dopamine hit. I'm so glad i stayed, this wasn't what I wanted but it was what I needed. Great prompts and a lot to think about. Well thought out and well delivered. Thanks!

[@mikeweinberg2338]

Great comment, Jim. Same here.

[@dallison1961]

This! This is more important than any financial planning for retirement.

[@dlg5485]

This is sage advice, James. Unfortunately, we Americans have been brainwashed into believing that our personal value is derived from work more than anything else. We dedicate our lives to it, only to finally reach that 3rd act of life with nothing meaningful to fall back on. Our work-life balance has always been out of wack in the USA. The corporations that employ most of us want it that way because it makes them richer at our expense. I've only recently awakened to the fact that I have sacrificed building a meaningful personal life, instead focusing on working as much as I can in order to save as much as I can for retirement. Don't get me wrong, I'm glad I'm prepared for my golden years, but the life cost has been high. I think a lot of younger workers are finally figuring this out and are demanding a more balanced life that leaves room for what really matters to them, and I'm happy to see it. I am planning to retire in 8 years at 63 and I have begun taking the steps you discussed here. Thanks!

[@JKElliot]

Saving this to watch when I find myself worrying about those “less important”things… great content.

[@hogroamer260]

Unfortunately, 90%+ have fairly strict financial limitations. Figuring out what people want out of retirement is far easier than how they can afford it. After a lifetime of working 50+ hours/week, I enjoy every day of being my own boss. I love doing little or nothing for days at a time, but my volunteering commitments keep me busy most days. I see a second retirement coming in the next couple of years. I'll never understand these people who retire and are at a loss. I don't feel the need for a game plan or bucket list and know I will have no regrets.

[@mbarros13]

Great work sir!

[@JamieWalker-s5d]

Love this - describes where I'm at perfectly. Great advice.

[@RootFP]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jeanrogers7917]

"I hate pickle ball and I don't like anybody playing it." 😂

[@PeterD1127]

This is the second time I watched this one. A lot to think about.

[@sdmod1]

I know of several folks to 'jumped' into retirement with little to no thought/planning, it was just time........obviously this causes many of them to have financial concerns at this time in their life.

[@FunStuffBuddy]

❤️ Keep up the great vids!

[@jimfilby7770]

I have watched your videos for some time and found them informative and helpful. This one sort of cuts to the heart of the issues I am ignoring when getting ready for retirement. Is it possible to have the link that you mentioned Tim Ferris(spelling right?) that has all the steps he has shared? Thanks for all the information you share in each video about retirement! I drive my planner nuts with questions you have shared . You are an excellent communicator!

[@manojpadki]

I really enjoyed this episode. Well done, and thank you!

[@debchalker6900]

He has the money. Retire and have fun!

[@FrankRizzo401]

Just what I needed to hear. Thanks so much.

[@danielzegler4156]

Spot on advice. Love the holistic, big picture look. Thanks

[@fevzay9315]

Great video, James!

[@panodanno]

Thank you.

[@karendurston2528]

As I approach retirement, I have been doing things I've previously enjoyed with an eye to making them a larger part of my life after retirement. I paint and I challenged myself to enter at least one juried show within a year and to paint at least one painting a month. Worked out great. I took my dog back to dog training (interrupted by COVID). It's still scary to think about leaving my job though. Excellent episode. Gives me lots to think about.

[@brianduerr6483]

Love the content.

[@michelleschmidt7846]

James, another fantastic episode! So much to think about here.

[@youarehere1251]

We spend way too much time worrying about retirement than actually enjoying retirement

[@CessnaPilot99]

Says the person making a comment on a retirement video. Speak for yourself

[@MrGoodaches]

The key is to not retire FROM something but to retire TO something.

[@dale5710]

Odd how there are numbered item with a title of the one most important thing.

[@Catherine_2571]

The numbers are the steps to address the number one thing - fear.

[@EJJ-EvArms]

I feel like a broken record saying the same thing on so many of James' most excellent videos, but.... For a dude who is financially totally able to retire, but has fears about what's next, a great lower-risk way to begin pursuing other interests while having a modicum of security & structure, is to ask his employer to go part-time. If he's been in the job a long time, he's valuable, has Institutional knowledge, and can help train his replacement, while having more time for other interests as a great transition to retirement. Working need not be an either-or, full-time-or-retired paradigm. Please James consider presenting this as an option, not only to your clients, but to your audience at large. Again, great video, excellent focus, good life advice.

[@toddmaniatoddmania9844]

6:00 to 6:27 priceless

[@JohnToscano-eg7bd]

I want to do a backdoor Roth IRA for my spouse. We file married filing jointly. She does not work. My income is under 100K. I can contribute 7K to a Roth IRA in her name. Can I also contribute 20K to a non-deductible IRA in her name and then immediately do a Roth conversion of the 20K to her Roth IRA for a total of 27K?

[@dvmdoc]

Love this video and perspective....I just created a new google doc entitled "Retirement Introspection"....

[@spinnetti]

I've run out of goals. Is that just depression I wonder? I don't want anything, so working just for something to do.

[@NanetteLoves2Budget]

A loss of enthusiasm is certainly one sign of depression. I’ve been battling that myself, but I blame the overwhelming amount of stress in my current job. I work remotely, so it’s also difficult for me to make connections with people at work. It does help me to get outdoors and spend time in the garden, biking, or walking. Meeting friends at the park also helps, but as of late I haven’t even had the energy to do that. My mental state shifted towards the positive yesterday, so I’m hoping that trend will continue. I don’t know if any of this is of any use to you, but I will say I hope you find something that sparks a little joy or inspiration in your life soon. All the best!

[@NanetteLoves2Budget]

I plan to rewatch this video and do all of the journaling exercises. I am looking to shorten my retirement horizon if it all possible and I think his strategies are brilliant!