Beyond Money: Building a Fulfilling Portfolio

The beginning of a new year is always a natural time to pause, review, and plan. Finances and budgets should be part of that reflection, no matter your age. Yet in the second half of life, financial planning requires deeper thought. It’s not just about the short term—it’s about weaving together a long-, medium-, and short-term view of your future. Ideally, this journey is taken with a certified financial planner you trust and meet with regularly.

We each walk a unique path into later life. Some are married and building dreams together. Others may be divorced, widowed, or single, facing different concerns. Some may be supporting older parents who have run out of money. Whatever your circumstances, this conversation offers a framework to help you plan with clarity and confidence.

I remember my own turning point at fifty. Divorced for a decade, with both children married and living abroad, I had to take stock of my financial horizon. Savings had always been part of my mindset—I began with R11 from my first pay cheque of R200 as an article clerk in 1975. But life unfolded: marriage, children, seasons of entrepreneurship, and periods without savings. At forty, divorce meant carrying all living expenses alone. At fifty, I made the difficult choice to cash in a small provident fund to support myself while growing my business. Not advisable for everyone, but for me it was the right decision. It created the pathway to keep earning well beyond pensionable age.

I will always be grateful to Kim Potgieter from Chartered Wealth, who helped me face my long-term financial reality. With her guidance, I became debt-free, simplified my lifestyle, and built a sustainable rhythm of monthly earnings while allowing investments to grow. Now, with just over a year until seventy, I feel immense gratitude for that journey.

Financial planning, however, is about more than money. In The 100-Year Life by Professors Lynda Gratton and Andrew Scott, the authors highlight both tangible and intangible assets. Investments matter, but so do health, friendships, diverse social circles, and a growth mindset that keeps us learning and contributing. A fulfilling portfolio includes travel, volunteering, family, and community—elements that enrich life beyond financial spreadsheets.

Meeting with my planner at least once a year, and whenever I need a thinking partner, brings me peace. Together we discuss the future, taxes, estates, and how to balance all the moving parts. I call this process the accumulation and decumulation of both finances and life. It ensures that when my time comes, my children will inherit clarity and simplicity, not confusion or drama. That is the gift I want to leave them.

On 27 January 2026, during the lunch hour, I will be in conversation with my financial planner, Tom Brukman. He will share insights and answer questions for our community. You can register here: Zoom link.

This may be a life-changing process for you. Take the time to explore your relationship with money and design a future that is both financially secure and personally fulfilling.