The Biggest Mistake in Retirement Planning Isn't About Money New

New Blog Article

Most retirement planning begins with one question: "Will I have enough money?" It is an important question—but not the first one.

Retirement planning begins by answering a different question: "What kind of retirement do I want to build?" Once your vision is clear, the financial planning becomes far more meaningful.

Read Article Explore the Retirement Planning Framework™


Continue the series → View all Academy articles

Financial stress rarely begins with a single catastrophic mistake.

5 Practical Decision Truths New

Simple ideas that improve everyday decisions.

1. Know your why before your analysis.

Before gathering facts or weighing options, understand your purpose. Clear purpose leads to better decisions.

2. The end never justifies the means.

How you achieve a goal matters as much as the goal itself. Shortcuts often create problems later.

3. Will this matter a year from now?

Time provides perspective. Many decisions that feel urgent today become far less important over time.

4. Know what's driving your decision.

If money, fear, pride, or pressure is leading the way, pause and reconsider your purpose before moving forward.

5. Every decision moves you toward something—or away from it.

Decisions shape direction. Choose intentionally and make sure today's choice aligns with the future you want to create.

📘 Did You Know Archive

Academy Insight

Every decision involves choices, opportunities, advantages, and trade-offs.
Focusing on one benefit can hide a significant cost.
Better decisions consider both what is gained and what is given up.
  • Every decision involves choices, opportunities, advantages, and trade-offs.
  • Focusing on one benefit can hide a significant cost.
  • Better decisions consider both what is gained and what is given up.

These principles are explored throughout the Managing God’s Money® Academy.

Foundations and Frameworks of Managing God’s Money®

A practical system for stewardship, decision-making, and financial clarity.

Foundations

Managing God’s Money®

The core philosophy for wise stewardship of money, resources, and opportunities.

Learn More

Managing God’s Time™

A companion foundation focused on using time intentionally, aligning priorities with purpose, and stewarding life’s most limited resource wisely.

Learn More

Decision Frameworks

ABC Principle®

A practical framework connecting Attitude, Behavior, and Consequences to guide everyday financial choices.

Explore

COAT Decision-Making Process™

A structured process for evaluating decisions through Consequences, Opportunity Cost, Alternatives, and Truisms before acting.

Read Guide

GAS Principle®

A values-based framework that emphasizes generosity, accountability, and stewardship.

Learn More

Retirement Planning Framework™

A five-stage process to help you think through what retirement means to you, test your retirement vision, and explore possibilities before financial considerations help inform your decisions.

Explore the Framework

Practical Tool

PEACE Budgeting™

A practical budgeting framework designed to help plan, track, and adjust spending with clarity and purpose.

Open PEACE Budgeting™

Keep in Touch with Managing God’s Money®

Occasionally, I publish a new article, Academy resource, or practical tool. If you’d like to know when something new is available, let me know.

Keep Me Updated

No advertising. No sales emails. Just occasional updates when there is something new to share.


Always Seek Independent Advice
  • Advisor vs. salesperson: advice should be objective and fee-based.
  • You decide: ask clarifying questions until you understand.
  • Conflicts exist: spot them and agree upfront how they’ll be handled.
  • Plan first, then buy: separate planning from product purchases.
Read the full guide (PDF)
Advisor interview checklist
  1. Independence: Is the advice fee-only? Any conflicts? Which companies are represented?
  2. Fees: How will you be charged for advice vs. product sales?
  3. Qualifications: Credentials, experience, references you can check.
  4. Client fit: Will they set aside time for you (not pass you to an assistant)?
  5. Specialization & training: Who they serve; education/seminars offered.
  6. Firm: Years in business, size, research, and any disciplinary actions.
  7. Commissions / accounts: Commission rates; what happens if you open an account.