Why Couples Need Retirement Planning and Financial Freedom

Many couples live busy, faithful lives — raising families, building businesses, and doing their best to be wise stewards. But even strong, capable families often admit they’ve never stopped long enough to build a clear financial plan together.

“A goal without a plan is just a wish.” — Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince

This story is about what can happen when a couple does financial planning — and how clarity, discipline, and faith can turn dreams into reality.

When my wife, Loree, and I had been married about a year, I told her we were going away for a weekend getaway. She was picturing rest, fun, and maybe a spa visit. I told her there’d be a bit of that — but also something more important.

That weekend, I wanted us to build a plan for the next thirty years of our lives together.

She thought I was a little crazy, but she agreed to give it a try.

We spent that weekend dreaming — not just talking about what we wanted but writing it down. We listed out goals, estimated what they’d cost, and considered how long each one might take. We dreamed about raising kids, building a home, and even the small things, like what kind of car we’d someday drive.

One of the bigger goals we wrote down was for me to retire at 55. It seemed far away and a little unrealistic, but we outlined what it would take: how much to save, how to stay out of debt, and the consistent steps to get there.

Then we got to work — living life, raising a family, managing finances, and staying focused on the plan.

Fast forward 34 years to October 2007. We made the final payment on our house. I turned to Loree and said, “I think I could retire now.” She smiled and said, “Let’s check the numbers first.”

We reviewed our accounts and found that our investments were within $10,000 of the goal we had written down 34 years earlier. At 56, I was able to retire.

It wasn’t luck — it was clarity, discipline, and time.

I don’t share this story to impress anyone, but to encourage families and business owners who want to bring purpose and calm to their finances. When you take the time to pause, set direction, and align your financial goals as a couple, everything changes.

That’s what financial coaching through Accountable is all about — helping you refocus, gain control, and build a plan you can walk out with confidence.

The process works. We’ve lived it. And you can too.

Closing Thoughts

Financial clarity doesn’t come from guessing — it comes from financial planning together. Whether you’re newly married or decades into your journey, it’s never too early or too late to sit down, dream again, and design a plan that gives your family both peace and purpose.

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About the Author

Kim Heimbach

Kim Heimbach is an Accountable Certified Financial Accountability Coach. He helps business owners and families replace financial chaos with clarity by building simple, sustainable systems that bring calm, confidence, and control to both business and home finances.