Christine and Erin Discuss Money: Why It May Be Time to Ease Up on Saving

Christine Benz appeared on Erin Moriarity’s YouTube channel for a conversation about bucket strategies, relationships, and making the most of retirement while you can.

One line from Erin Moriarity stood out during the discussion for her Erin Talks Money YouTube channel: “That vacation you take at 60 is not the same vacation you can take at 90.” It may sound a little bleak, but it also serves as a reminder to spend the money you worked so hard to save during the active years of retirement, as long as your finances can support it.

We agreed on plenty, including her enthusiasm for buckets, but we kept returning to one idea in the conversation: spending less than you can afford is not a mark of success.

Erin knows that feeling well. In her 20s and early 30s, she was an intense saver, putting away as much as 70% or 80% of her income at one point and even giving up vacations. She does not regret that discipline, but she is now becoming more comfortable with spending. In that sense, she is also working through the familiar retirement challenge of giving yourself permission to use your money. That came up as well when she joined The Long View podcast.

Watch the YouTube video below, and be sure to stick around for the end, where she surprised me with a few fast-paced questions.

Christine on Erin Talks Money

Erin on The Long View

The author or authors do not own shares in any securities mentioned in this article. Find out about Morningstar’s editorial policies.