“Where did the time go?” you keep asking yourself and each other. You might be half a century old but on the whole, you look good and feel good. Life has never been more balanced.  Experience has made you comfortable in your own skin.  And fortunately, you’re not trying to change the world on your own.

Welcome to your 50s. The struggles of the last decade are paying off. The kids are (hopefully!) out of the house and you’ve tamed that monster of a mortgage. What’s next? Retirement? Maybe, maybe not. But what you do want is to become financially comfortable as you move into the next phase of your life.

Believe it or not, this is the best decade to accelerate your savings. Many of the biggest, obligatory expenses are out of the way. At the same time, you may still be in your peak earning years. If you’ve been building your nest egg, keep going – there’s no such thing as saving too much (you can always give it away). If you’re behind in your savings, we offer some ideas to help you catch up.

The odds are in your favour to live a long and healthy life but let’s face it – nothing is guaranteed. Best to take care of your safety net now to protect your family’s future.

This guide aims to provide some tools, ideas and, most important, some inspiration to take charge of your finances and get ready for the next stage of your life. It’s easier than you think, and there’s good help out there if you know who to turn to and what questions to ask.