Money is important.
But it isn't everything.
Money is important.
But it isn't everything.
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. This practical guide is written for UK readers in their 50s who want a full, rewarding life after work, one that’s truly on your terms. Whether retirement feels exciting or uncertain right now, my aim is to give you both clarity and confidence.
What makes this guide different? It’s about more than money. Yes, you’ll find straightforward tools to secure your essentials, whatever the markets do, and achieve peace of mind. But you’ll also discover how to build a retirement that’s not just financially safe, but personally meaningful, vibrant, and resilient.
Money is important.
But it isn't everything.
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. This practical guide is written for UK readers in their 50s who want a full, rewarding life after work, one that’s truly on your terms. Whether retirement feels exciting or uncertain right now, my aim is to give you both clarity and confidence.
What makes this guide different? It’s about more than money. Yes, you’ll find straightforward tools to secure your essentials, whatever the markets do, and achieve peace of mind. But you’ll also discover how to build a retirement that’s not just financially safe, but personally meaningful, vibrant, and resilient.
Uncover the six secrets to becoming free.
There are no dress rehearsals.
This is the show.
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. This practical guide is written for UK readers in their 50s who want a full, rewarding life after work, one that’s truly on your terms. Whether retirement feels exciting or uncertain right now, my aim is to give you both clarity and confidence.
Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming but it doesn’t have to be. This practical guide is written for UK readers in their 50s who want a full, rewarding life after work, one that’s truly on your terms. Whether retirement feels exciting or uncertain right now, my aim is to give you both clarity and confidence.
What makes this guide different? It’s about more than money. Yes, you’ll find straightforward tools to secure your essentials, whatever the markets do, and achieve peace of mind. But you’ll also discover how to build a retirement that’s not just financially safe, but personally meaningful, vibrant, and resilient.
What makes this guide different? It’s about more than money. Yes, you’ll find straightforward tools to secure your essentials, whatever the markets do, and achieve peace of mind. But you’ll also discover how to build a retirement that’s not just financially safe, but personally meaningful, vibrant, and resilient.
A guide that was shaped by real life.
A guide that was shaped by real life.
A guide that was shaped by real life.
The idea for this book began during a flawless September in Turkey, when everything changed. Jo was five months pregnant, our dads were with us, and my dad Graham had just retired after selling his accountancy practice.
What should have been an easy holiday turned as I watched him struggle to swallow, leading to a rapid hospital referral and a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. Surgery followed, but it left him far weaker, and although we managed one last trip together with our newborn son, he died in early 2011 at sixty-seven.
Losing him so soon after he finally stepped back from work changed how I see later life. He spent decades building a career, only to reach retirement with almost no time to enjoy it. That reality pushed me to rethink what retirement should be for all of us. It isn’t a warm-up. It’s the main event, and it needs to be lived like one.
The idea for this book began during a flawless September in Turkey, when everything changed. Jo was five months pregnant, our dads were with us, and my dad Graham had just retired after selling his accountancy practice.
What should have been an easy holiday turned as I watched him struggle to swallow, leading to a rapid hospital referral and a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. Surgery followed, but it left him far weaker, and although we managed one last trip together with our newborn son, he died in early 2011 at sixty-seven.
Losing him so soon after he finally stepped back from work changed how I see later life. He spent decades building a career, only to reach retirement with almost no time to enjoy it. That reality pushed me to rethink what retirement should be for all of us. It isn’t a warm-up. It’s the main event, and it needs to be lived like one.
The idea for this book began during a flawless September in Turkey, when everything changed. Jo was five months pregnant, our dads were with us, and my dad Graham had just retired after selling his accountancy practice.
What should have been an easy holiday turned as I watched him struggle to swallow, leading to a rapid hospital referral and a diagnosis of oesophageal cancer. Surgery followed, but it left him far weaker, and although we managed one last trip together with our newborn son, he died in early 2011 at sixty-seven.
Losing him so soon after he finally stepped back from work changed how I see later life. He spent decades building a career, only to reach retirement with almost no time to enjoy it. That reality pushed me to rethink what retirement should be for all of us. It isn’t a warm-up. It’s the main event, and it needs to be lived like one.
About the author.
Matthew Walne is the founder of Santorini Financial Planning and a leading advocate for a life-first approach to retirement.
His work is shaped by a deeply personal truth: after losing his father, Graham, just months into retirement, Matthew understood that financial planning is really about protecting something far more precious than money - time.
For more than two decades, he has helped people design a “Third Act” that feels intentional, energised and deeply fulfilling. His philosophy is simple: when money supports the life you want, rather than the other way around, everything becomes clearer.
Matthew lives in Leicestershire with his wife, Jo, and their sons, Jude and Ellis, who remind him daily that there are no dress rehearsals. This is the show.
Uncover the six secrets to becoming free.
Uncover the six secrets to becoming free.
01
Mindset & Transition
What actually is retirement and how does it affect your life, both emotionally and psychologically? How do you navigate the shift from a busy, purposeful career to a slower, less demanding lifestyle?
Mindset & Transition
What actually is retirement and how does it affect your life, both emotionally and psychologically? How do you navigate the shift from a busy, purposeful career to a slower, less demanding lifestyle?
Mindset & Transition
What actually is retirement and how does it affect your life, both emotionally and psychologically? How do you navigate the shift from a busy, purposeful career to a slower, less demanding lifestyle?
Health & Energy
What are the foundations of a thriving retirement, and how do you fit retirement around bigger life changes, such as the Menopause and natural health events? What are ‘The Blue Zones’ and what can we learn from them?
Health & Energy
What are the foundations of a thriving retirement, and how do you fit retirement around bigger life changes, such as the Menopause and natural health events? What are ‘The Blue Zones’ and what can we learn from them?
Health & Energy
What are the foundations of a thriving retirement, and how do you fit retirement around bigger life changes, such as the Menopause and natural health events? What are ‘The Blue Zones’ and what can we learn from them?
02
03
Learning, Work & Tech
How do you embrace new passions in retirement, and what does ‘personal growth’ in retirement mean? With the rise of technology and digital tools, how do you get on top of these and make sure you don’t miss out?
Learning, Work & Tech
How do you embrace new passions in retirement, and what does ‘personal growth’ in retirement mean? With the rise of technology and digital tools, how do you get on top of these and make sure you don’t miss out?
Learning, Work & Tech
How do you embrace new passions in retirement, and what does ‘personal growth’ in retirement mean? With the rise of technology and digital tools, how do you get on top of these and make sure you don’t miss out?
Place & Lifestyle Design
Should you retire abroad? What are the risks and opportunities of this and how do you put a plan in place to make this a success for your family?
Place & Lifestyle Design
Should you retire abroad? What are the risks and opportunities of this and how do you put a plan in place to make this a success for your family?
Place & Lifestyle Design
Should you retire abroad? What are the risks and opportunities of this and how do you put a plan in place to make this a success for your family?
04
05
Money that Matches Life
How do you ensure that you don’t run out of money in retirement, whilst at the same time making sure that you don’t die the richest person in the graveyard? What does a long and rewarding retirement mean to you?
Money that Matches Life
How do you ensure that you don’t run out of money in retirement, whilst at the same time making sure that you don’t die the richest person in the graveyard? What does a long and rewarding retirement mean to you?
Money that Matches Life
How do you ensure that you don’t run out of money in retirement, whilst at the same time making sure that you don’t die the richest person in the graveyard? What does a long and rewarding retirement mean to you?
Legacy & Action
How do you plan for your legacy to give you peace of mind? What do you need to do in order to make sure you have a happy, fulfilling retirement from day one?
Legacy & Action
How do you plan for your legacy to give you peace of mind? What do you need to do in order to make sure you have a happy, fulfilling retirement from day one?
Legacy & Action
How do you plan for your legacy to give you peace of mind? What do you need to do in order to make sure you have a happy, fulfilling retirement from day one?
06
There are no dress rehearsals.
This is the show.
There are no dress rehearsals.
This is the show.
About the author.
About the author.
Matthew Walne is the founder of Santorini Financial Planning and a leading advocate for a life-first approach to retirement.
His work is shaped by a deeply personal truth: after losing his father, Graham, just months into retirement, Matthew understood that financial planning is really about protecting something far more precious than money - time.
For more than two decades, he has helped people design a “Third Act” that feels intentional, energised and deeply fulfilling. His philosophy is simple: when money supports the life you want, rather than the other way around, everything becomes clearer.
Matthew lives in Leicestershire with his wife, Jo, and their sons, Jude and Ellis, who remind him daily that there are no dress rehearsals. This is the show.
Matthew Walne is the founder of Santorini Financial Planning and a leading advocate for a life-first approach to retirement.
His work is shaped by a deeply personal truth: after losing his father, Graham, just months into retirement, Matthew understood that financial planning is really about protecting something far more precious than money - time.
For more than two decades, he has helped people design a “Third Act” that feels intentional, energised and deeply fulfilling. His philosophy is simple: when money supports the life you want, rather than the other way around, everything becomes clearer.
Matthew lives in Leicestershire with his wife, Jo, and their sons, Jude and Ellis, who remind him daily that there are no dress rehearsals. This is the show.
Paul Armson
Pioneer of Lifestyle Financial Planning
Founder, Inspiring Advisers
Author of ‘Enough?’
Paul Armson
Pioneer of Lifestyle Financial Planning
Founder, Inspiring Advisers
Author of ‘Enough?’
Paul Armson
Pioneer of Lifestyle Financial Planning
Founder, Inspiring Advisers
Author of ‘Enough?’
“Because at the end of the day, the question isn't "Will I have enough money?" The question is "Will I have enough life?"
Matt will help you answer that question with a resounding yes.”
“Because at the end of the day, the question isn't "Will I have enough money?" The question is "Will I have enough life?"
Matt will help you answer that question with a resounding yes.”
“Because at the end of the day, the question isn't "Will I have enough money?" The question is "Will I have enough life?"
Matt will help you answer that question with a resounding yes.”
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