By Chris Merchant, CFP®

Recently, my wife Heather and I attended a retirement planning conference in Boston. One speaker presented a compelling formula that caught my attention. He displayed a series of numbers on the screen and invited the audience to decipher their meaning:

**2 x 3 x 10 x 7 x 52 x 20 = W*****ant to Take a Guess?***

Here’s the breakdown:

2 People x 3 Meals a Day x $10 Per Meal x 7 Days a Week x 52 Weeks a Year x 20 Years in Retirement = $436,800.

This is the estimated amount a couple will spend on food during a 20-year retirement, not accounting for inflation or rising food costs. The magnitude of this figure is striking. As the presenter noted, “This illustrates why retiring with dignity can be challenging.”

By sharing this equation, I aim to highlight the importance of strategic financial planning. Over a lengthy retirement, even basic costs like food and utilities can become burdensome.

I want you to thrive in retirement, not just survive.

Reaching this goal requires growing your wealth for the future while protecting your current assets. We are here to support you at every step.

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