Time, Energy, and Freedom: The True Currency of Early Retirement

By: David Lundberg MBA MSCJ 12/26/25

Most people believe retirement is about money alone. They focus almost exclusively on questions like:
How much do I need?
Will it last?
Am I saving enough?

Money absolutely matters; It is essential. However, it is not the sole currency of retirement.

After a decade we have worked with hundreds of families directly and heard from thousands more through the broader planning community. We have seen a consistent pattern: people can have $700,000, $1,000,000, $2,000,000 or more… and still feel afraid to live a fulfilling life.

Not because they lack money, but because they lack clarity.

Without a grounded, human-centered plan, money often turns into something to protect rather than something to live with. Fear and uncertainty quietly replace freedom. This is why we believe early retirement must be planned around time, energy, and freedom. With money serving those values, not overshadowing them.

Why Money Alone Is Not Enough

It is surprisingly common to meet people who have “done everything right” financially and yet hesitate to spend.

They worry about unknowns, market cycles, healthcare, living too long, and or not long enough.

Without clarity, even large portfolios can feel fragile. Money by itself does not create peace;
a clear, adaptable plan does. When people understand why they are saving, how their money is meant to support their life, and when it is appropriate to spend more or less, fear begins to soften. Confidence replaces hesitation.

Early Retirement Is About Reclaiming Time

Time is the one asset that cannot be replenished. Early retirement is not about stopping work as quickly as possible, it’s about reclaiming discretionary time while life is still vibrant. Time to slow down, travel without rushing, reconnect with a spouse or partner, be present with family, explore creativity, spirituality, and meaning.

Too often, people reach retirement only to realize they never designed space for reconnection; especially with the person they built their life alongside. Time, when used intentionally, becomes the doorway back to relationship, presence, and shared experience.

Energy Changes and Planning Must Respect That

Many retirement models quietly assume that energy and capacity remain constant well into later decades. In reality, life is not so predictable.

We have known many individuals who faced serious health challenges in their late 50s or early 60s, long before they expected limitations. We have also known people who passed away before age 70, carrying plans and dreams that never had the chance to be lived. Yes, many people do live into their 80s or 90s. Longevity is absolutely possible and important to plan for.

This is why we believe it is both wise and compassionate to align spending with seasons of vitality. Travel, adventure, and exploration are often most accessible in the earlier years of retirement, when the body and mind are more capable.

Planning that honors this reality is not pessimistic; it is honest.

Freedom Is Created Through Intentional Design

True freedom in retirement doesn’t come from hoping everything works out. It comes from design. Freedom to spend without guilt, to say yes and no, to adjust as life changes, to live fully without fear of running out. Our unique planning process is intentionally built to allow families to spend more when they can, while still maintaining safety, flexibility, and long-term security if life extends longer than expected.

This is not about reckless spending, It is about intentional living.

Clarity Replaces Fear With Confidence

When clarity is missing, people guess. They guess how much to spend, guess when to retire, guess what “enough” means. Guessing creates anxiety and clarity creates confidence.

When people are clear about what their time, energy, and freedom are meant to support; money becomes a tool instead of a source of stress. Plans become adaptable rather than rigid. Life becomes lived instead of delayed.

A Holistic View of Early Retirement

At Awaken Financial Designs, we approach early retirement as a holistic life transition, not a financial event.

We integrate:

• strategic financial and tax planning

• income and spending design

• wellness awareness and nervous system regulation

• relationship and lifestyle considerations

• adaptability for health and life changes

This is where investing wisdom meets retreat-level presence. Money supports life and not the other way around.

A Quiet Reflection

Take a moment and ask yourself:

If my time, energy, and freedom were my primary focus, how would my life change today?

That question is often more powerful than any spreadsheet.

A Soft Invitation

Our Wealth & Life Alignment Method™ was created to help families design retirement with intention, clarity, and humanity.

If you feel drawn to a more conscious approach, one that blends financial wisdom with wellness and life design, then we invite you to download our free guide, available on our homepage.

Whether you are seeking to retire earlier, live more fully, or simply bring greater peace into your financial life, you deserve a plan that honors the whole human experience.

When time, energy, and freedom lead; money naturally finds its place.

When you’re ready, let’s Awaken together.