1. EachPod

7 Things I Wish I Knew Before I Retired

Author
Mel H Abraham, CPA, CVA, ASA
Published
Thu 04 Sep 2025
Episode Link
None

Welcome to another powerful episode of the Building Your Money Machine Show! Today, I’m sharing the seven things I wish I knew before I retired—and let me tell you, making the leap from building wealth to living off it is a much bigger mental switch than I ever imagined.

We’ll dig into the psychological shift from the accumulation phase (saving, investing, and growing wealth) to the decumulation phase (actually spending what you’ve worked so hard to build). I’ll explain why switching from earning a paycheck to relying on your money machine feels scary for almost everyone, and I’ll walk you through how to prepare for a retirement that feels like freedom—not like a financial identity crisis.

You’ll also learn why active income is like oxygen, why you absolutely need a plan (and how to get started with my free Lifestyle Cost Calculator), and how to design your post-work life with the same intention you used to build your career and wealth. We’ll tackle the truth behind retirement myths, and why your legacy isn’t about what you leave behind.

IN TODAY’S EPISODE, I DISCUSS:

  • Why retirement isn’t a date
  • How the broken retirement system has shifted responsibility into your hands
  • The psychological challenges of moving from accumulation to decumulation
  • Why spending in retirement is the goal, not a betrayal
  • Why your health is the real portfolio that gives your wealth value
  • The essential role of a plan—plus a free resource to help you know your number
  • Why real legacy is built in the small, meaningful moments

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If you liked this episode, click here to enjoy these and more:
https://melabraham.com/show/

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