Episode 397: How to Spend, Save & Find Joy Before and After Retirement w/ Christine Benz

This week on the Journey to Launch podcast, I am speaking to Christine Benz, Director of Personal Finance at Morningstar. Christine shares her insights on how to retire and addresses certain issues that come up during retirement such as safe spending rates and the under-spending problem. She advises early retirees to be flexible with withdrawals, highlights the importance of finding balance in retirement, such as community service and hobbies and stresses the value of micro joys and small daily activities that bring joy and purpose.

In this episode Christine shares:

• Her entrepreneurial role within Morningstar, where she has freedom to build the personal finance vertical while enjoying the security of a paycheck.
• The importance of communication skills and building subject matter expertise which can lead to better career opportunities.
• How spending in retirement often fluctuates, why you should diversify income streams and advice on balancing tax-sheltered accounts and taxable savings for more flexibility in early retirement.
• Why you should live a fulfilling life now to avoid pent-up demand in retirement, the benefits of taking breaks and finding balance in life + more.

Other Links Mentioned in episode:

• Lessons from a Laid-Back Summer: Family, Finances, and Future Plans
• Get your copy of my book: Your Journey To Financial Freedom
• Leave Your Journey To Financial Freedom a review!
• Get The Budget Bootcamp
• Check out my personal website here
• Join The Weekly Newsletter List
• Leave me a voicemail– Leave me a question on the Journey To Launch voicemail and have it answered on the podcast!
• YNAB –  Start managing your money and budgeting so that you can reach your financial dreams. Sign up for a free 34 days trial of YNAB, my go-to budgeting app by using my referral link.
• What stage of the financial journey are you on? Are you working on financial stability or work flexibility? Find out with this free assessment and get a curated list of the 10 next best episodes for you to listen to depending on your stage. Check it out here!

Connect with Christine:

• Website: MorningStar.com
• Twitter: @Christine_Benz
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Connect with me:

• Instagram: @Journeytolaunch
• Twitter: @JourneyToLaunch
• Facebook: @Journey To Launch
• Join the Private Facebook Group
• Join the Waitlist for My FI Course
• Get The Free Jumpstart Guide