Agency

Agency. "The capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power," as defined in the Merriam-Webster dictionary. (Anyone still using physical dictionaries these days?!)

This powerful concept refers to that essential feeling of having control over your own life—making choices and taking action to achieve your goals. It's about being in the driver's seat of your own destiny, not just a passenger along for the ride.

Not too long ago, I had a rather rude reminder that I'm no longer as young as I once felt. You know the moment—when something you used to do effortlessly suddenly leaves you wincing or reaching for the ibuprofen. That wake-up call catalysed some serious thinking about the next phase of life—retirement—that's approaching faster than a runaway shopping cart on a steep hill! And like many of you, I realized I wasn't nearly as prepared as I should be, especially financially.

This realization is what sparked the creation of this newsletter you're reading now. (And hopefully have subscribed to—if not, more on that in a moment!)

The truth is, retirement planning can feel overwhelming. The investment options seem endless, healthcare costs loom like storm clouds, and the nagging question persists: "Will I have enough?" Meanwhile, those already retired often struggle with identity loss, unexpected expenses, and the challenge of making their savings last potentially decades longer than their parents' generation needed to.

Through this newsletter, I'm committed to sharing what I've learned and discovered on my journey toward this inevitability we all face. Together, we can find hope, challenge our limiting beliefs, and inspire each other to take meaningful action—whether you're just starting to prepare or looking to transform your retirement into something truly fulfilling.

As the saying goes, some people die at 65, only to be buried at 85. Let's make sure we're not among them!

Whether you need to spin your finance plates better (without watching them crash to the floor), improve your health (without giving up everything enjoyable), or boost your fitness (without needing an oxygen tank afterward), there is always hope! The first step is to reclaim your sense of agency in whatever areas you're currently struggling with.

If you're behind financially, it's never too late to learn about investing and better money management—even small changes now can compound significantly.

If you're feeling and acting older than your calendar age suggests, small dietary improvements and gradually increasing your daily active minutes can reverse years of decline faster than you might think.

Ready to Take Back Control?

If these words resonate with you, you're in the right place. The L-Plate Retiree community is just beginning, and we're figuring this out together—no pretence, no judgment, just honest conversation about navigating this next chapter.

Subscribe now to receive weekly insights, practical tips, and occasional humour to help you prepare for or thrive in retirement. Unlike those other financial newsletters that seem written for people who already understand everything, we speak human here. No jargon without explanation, no assuming you've been investing since kindergarten.

Just enter your email below, and become one of our founding subscribers who are refusing to let retirement happen to them—they're happening to retirement instead! Being part of something from the beginning means you'll help shape where we go next.

Because retirement doesn't come with a manual... but now it does come with this newsletter. *wink*

What the Heck is Investing Anyway?

Ever notice how some people seem to make money while they sleep? That's not some dark magic or lucky stars alignment—it's investing at work. But what exactly is this investing business that everyone keeps banging on about?

At its core, investing is simply putting your money to work with the expectation it'll grow over time. Unlike saving (which is like carefully storing your acorns for winter), investing is more like planting those acorns and waiting for oak trees. There's more risk, sure, but potentially much bigger rewards.

Why bother? Well, unless you've got a money-printing machine in your garage (please don't), investing is one of the few ways to build wealth that doesn't involve working yourself to the bone. It's how regular folks like us can potentially turn modest savings into meaningful wealth over time.

And here's the kicker—investing isn't just for Wall Street types with fancy suits. From Tokyo to Toronto, everyday people are growing their nest eggs through investing. The principles work whether you're dealing in dollars, euros, or yen.

L-Plate Takeaway: If your money's just sitting in a savings account, it's basically lounging on the couch watching Netflix while inflation eats away at it. Maybe it's time to send it out to get a job!