“We’d spent years saving but didn’t know what we could actually afford to do with it.”

A couple approaching retirement discover they don't have to choose between helping their children and living the life they'd always wanted.

It was when we started to approach retirement we realised we needed help. My husband and I had spent years working hard, doing the right things, building up pensions and investments, but when it came to actually using that money, we felt completely uncertain.

We didn’t know how much we could spend, where that money would come from, or what the long-term impact would be.

Although we were already working with an investment management firm, they weren’t answering those questions. The focus was on performance and products - not on how our money supported our lives.

We needed something different; we wanted clarity – and also reassurance.

From saving to spending

We found Graeme through a friend from my art group. At that point, we had big goals in mind. We wanted to help our children get onto the property ladder, and we wanted to buy a camper van and travel – to go kayaking in different places and really make the most of our time while we’re still active – but we also wanted to maintain a comfortable lifestyle.

We weren’t sure we could afford even one of these - let alone all three.

Graeme approached things completely differently. Instead of focusing on products or investments, he focused on us - what we wanted to do in retirement, and how that could work in reality. He mapped everything out clearly and for the first time, we could see how our money was structured, how it would be used, and what different decisions would mean in practice.

Importantly, it showed our goals were achievable.

Building confidence step by step

At first, it was hard to believe. When you’ve spent your whole life saving, switching to spending, especially when you’re no longer earning, feels uncomfortable.

Graeme didn’t rush that process though. He took the time to explain everything clearly. We went through detailed cashflow projections, looking at how things would play out over time - where the money would come from, how it would grow, and what we could afford to take out.

Seeing it written down made all the difference.

It wasn’t just one conversation. It was a series of discussions, building up our understanding and confidence gradually. Even now, if we want to check something or ask a question, he’s there. That accessibility is a big part of the value.

A very different experience

What really stood out was how different this felt compared to our previous advisers.

“Although we were already working with an investment management firm, the focus was on performance and products - not on how our money supported our lives.”

With them, everything was formal, investment-focused and quite impersonal. We never felt like they were really interested in us or what we wanted to do. When we left after 15 years, no one even asked why!

With Graeme, it’s the opposite. It’s personal. It’s about our life, not just our money.

He’s clear, transparent, and honest. If something needs fixing, he deals with it. If something needs explaining, he takes the time.

It feels like we’re actually being looked after.

Making the most of now

Where we are now is very different to where we started. We have confidence in our decisions.

We’ve purchased and are renovating a flat for our children, we’re actively looking for a camper van and we feel comfortable spending in retirement - that’s been the biggest shift. We now understand what’s possible - and what’s sustainable.

There’s a window in retirement where you’re active, healthy, and able to do the things you’ve always wanted to do. If you don’t take those opportunities, you miss them. What Graeme has given us is the reassurance that it’s okay to enjoy this stage of life - without constantly worrying about the future - and that has changed everything.