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Author: Kim Potgieter

Embracing Midlife – A Journey of Reinvention and Possibility

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in In Hindsight. No Comments on Embracing Midlife – A Journey of Reinvention and Possibility

Midlife is perhaps the most misunderstood phase of life, often overshadowed by outdated stereotypes and misconceptions. But this phase really holds the biggest potential for growth, fulfilment, and a new beginning.Introducing My Latest eBookI am so happy to share my latest eBook, 10 Midlife Myths & the Truths Behind Them, with you. This eBook is more than just a guide – it’s an invitation to see midlife as a period of reinvention, recalibration, and immense possibility.Reflecting on my midlife journeyI’ve always believed in the mantra, ‘If you leave your life to chance, you will end...

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Navigating the Financial and Emotional Risks of the Two-Pot Retirement System

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on Navigating the Financial and Emotional Risks of the Two-Pot Retirement System

The Basics of the Two-Pot SystemPurpose: The main goal is encouraging people to preserve their retirement funds. A new “Savings Pot” will be added to your retirement fund, allowing one annual withdrawal (with a minimum of R2,000). Implementation: As of 31 August 2024, your retirement fund’s current value will “vest,” meaning it keeps all the existing benefits. Ten percent of this vested value (limited to R30,000) will be allocated to the new Savings Pot. Contribution Split: Starting 1 September 2024, your retirement contributions will be divided: one-third goes into the Savings Pot, and two-thirds...

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Kim’s Reflection and Advice to Magnus

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Hindsight Article. No Comments on Kim’s Reflection and Advice to Magnus

Magnus’s transition is a beautiful reminder of the importance of proactive planning and the willingness to adapt. When life throws unexpected changes your way, having a clear vision of what you want to achieve and staying open to new opportunities can turn a challenging transition into a fulfilling new chapter.Magnus’s story highlights three key insights:Embrace the Unexpected: Life often doesn’t go as planned. Magnus’s corporate retirement being brought forward unexpectedly is a prime example. It’s essential to stay flexible and open-minded when facing sudden changes – it can lead to...

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A Second Career in Midlife

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in In Hindsight. No Comments on A Second Career in Midlife

The Unexpected ShiftMagnus always knew he never wanted to retire in the traditional sense – to him, retirement was an outdated concept. His planning revolved around extending his work life to keep contributing to meaningful outcomes, engaging with people, and continuing to learn and grow. But, when Magnus’s planned retirement date was unexpectedly brought forward, the transition from a full-time executive role to ‘retirement’ was more challenging than he had ever anticipated.From Theory to RealityAlthough Magnus had ideas for his post-corporate life, they weren’t formulated into specific goals...

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Kim’s Reflection and Advice to Magnus

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Hindsight Article. No Comments on Kim’s Reflection and Advice to Magnus

Magnus’s transition is a beautiful reminder of the importance of proactive planning and the willingness to adapt. When life throws unexpected changes your way, having a clear vision of what you want to achieve and staying open to new opportunities can turn a challenging transition into a fulfilling new chapter.Magnus’s story highlights three key insights:Embrace the Unexpected: Life often doesn’t go as planned. Magnus’s corporate retirement being brought forward unexpectedly is a prime example. It’s essential to stay flexible and open-minded when facing sudden changes – it can lead to...

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Navigating Financial Security as Part of the Sandwich Generation

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on Navigating Financial Security as Part of the Sandwich Generation

If you support your parents, adult children, and even grandchildren, you’re part of the Sandwich Generation. Balancing these responsibilities while planning for your secure future can seem nearly impossible, and managing savings, bond repayments, credit card debt, school fees, and frail care can be financially and emotionally demanding.It may be time to check in with yourself:Can you afford to support children who should be supporting themselves?How does this affect your current living expenses and future retirement savings?How is balancing the needs of multiple generations affecting your emotional...

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Packing for Your Next Chapter

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on Packing for Your Next Chapter

Every new beginning ends something.One of my favourite exercises, especially during transitions, is the Suitcase Exercise. This exercise is particularly useful when facing numerous changes and challenges simultaneously. The idea is simple yet profound: you assess your top values and then examine every aspect of your life – your work, identity, relationships, money, attitudes, habits, etc. – to determine what’s working and what’s not.This exercise requires looking at the things that get in the way and what you need to leave behind. Think about all the parts of your life. Are there...

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Doing Midlife Your Way

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in In Hindsight. No Comments on Doing Midlife Your Way

Midlife is a time of significant transition. We stand at a crossroads, reflecting on our paths and contemplating the roads that lie ahead. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the myriad of changes happening all at once – career shifts, children leaving home, ageing parents, changes in our relationships, the possibility of retirement or a second career, physical changes and health concerns. And it’s easy to feel stuck, unsure of how to proceed when everything seems to change all at once – rarely do we experience only one of these transitions at a time.Frank Sinatra’s timeless lyrics in “I...

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Redefining work post-midlife – Breaking the Midlife Myth

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in Midlife Money Reflections. No Comments on Redefining work post-midlife – Breaking the Midlife Myth

A common midlife myth is the fear that “I will never have enough money to retire,” or the assumption that “I will have to adjust my lifestyle to what my retirement assets can provide.”People either see retirement as the end of work or are so worried that their savings will never be enough to sustain their pre-retirement lifestyles that they feel the need to keep working at the same intensity and pace.When we discuss these concerns with clients, we challenge these myths by asking, “What would your life look like if you could continue working with more time for personal interests and possibly...

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The Midlife Myths we tell ourselves, and the Truths we need to embrace

Written by Kim Potgieter on . Posted in In Hindsight. No Comments on The Midlife Myths we tell ourselves, and the Truths we need to embrace

I recently returned from Chip Conley’s Learning to Love Midlife workshop at the Modern Elder Academy (MEA) in Baja. I joined a diverse group from across America and Canada, ages 33 to 70. Starting out, we discovered a midlife myth that we all shared based on this question: What percentage of your adult life is still ahead of you? How would you answer? The point is, once you dispel one Myth, a whole set of Truths opens up to you.Here are the top 3 Midlife Myths and Truths I discovered at MEA:Midlife Myth #1: You are not oldThe fact is, we are living longer. Realising that you might live to 100...

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