Even the most rational engineer can make questionable financial decisions when running on fumes—mentally or emotionally. In this post, we explore how mental health affects your ability to think clearly about money and why working with an independent CFP® can be like bringing in a third-party consultant to stress-test your retirement plan. When the stakes are high, you don’t want your amygdala in charge of your portfolio.

Retirement should feel like cruising downhill after years of climbing—but what happens when the road gets bumpy with tariffs, market volatility, and inflation fears? If you’re an engineer (or married to one), retiring in a recession can feel like launching without enough data. This post walks through the smart, steady moves to protect your retirement income, rebalance wisely, and avoid the costly mistakes that fear can trigger. Whether you're newly retired or just making the transition, it's time to plan—not panic.

In retirement planning, timing isn’t just a detail—it’s crucial. Sequence of Returns Risk (SoRR) is akin to unforeseen delays in an engineering project; if the market dips as you retire, early losses, compounded by withdrawals, can undermine your financial foundation quickly. It’s akin to starting a major road trip that begins with a flat tire—possible, but far from ideal.

To counter this, think like an engineer: build in a buffer. A cash reserve of 3-10 years’ worth of net living expenses acts like a safety buffer in an engineering project, cushioning against market dips and ensuring your retirement finances remain robust no matter the economic conditions.