Let’s be honest for a second. When you think about planning for retirement, what’s the first word that comes to mind? Is it “exciting”? “Fun”? “Creative”?
Probably not. For most of us, it’s more like “spreadsheets,” “confusing,” or just a big, looming “ugh.” We know it’s important, but the whole process often feels cold, complicated, and reduced to a bunch of numbers that don’t really feel like our life.
But what if it didn’t have to be that way? What if you could map out your future in a way that felt more like doodling in a notebook than slogging through a tax form? That’s the big idea behind a brand-new book that’s got people in our industry talking.
A Fresh Take on a Not-So-Fun Topic
Jamie Hopkins, a longtime advisor and CEO of Bryn Mawr Trust Advisors, got tired of seeing people’s eyes glaze over when the topic of retirement came up. “Your retirement shouldn’t be reduced to numbers and spreadsheets,” he says, and I couldn't agree more.
So, he teamed up with Bonnie Treichel, founder of Endeavor Law and Endeavor Retirement, to create something completely different. It's called Your Retirement Sketchbook: 125 Retirement Planning Lessons from Financial Experts, and the goal is simple: to make planning your future feel approachable and, dare I say it, even a little bit fun.
Hopkins spent about a year and a half on this project because he saw a real need. So many of us are visual learners. We understand things better when we can see them. The book leans into that idea, using simple sketches and storytelling to break down what can feel like an impossibly complex journey.
From Paper Boats to a Life of Freedom
Think of it like this. The book has this one illustration that perfectly captures the whole point.
On one side, you see a happy couple, relaxing on a big, sturdy boat. Their thought bubbles are filled with words like “freedom,” “budgeting,” and “peace of mind.” They look content. They look prepared.
Below them is another picture: a frowning person, all alone in a flimsy paper boat with a leaky umbrella. Their thought bubbles? “No plan,” “no savings,” and “relying on government programs.”
It’s a simple visual, but wow, does it hit home. It instantly shows the difference between having a plan and just drifting along, hoping for the best. That’s the magic of this approach. It takes a serious point and makes it immediately understandable without a single chart or graph.
The core message here is that your retirement plan isn't some rigid document carved in stone. It’s a living, breathing sketch that you can change and adapt as you go.
More Than Just a Book—It’s a Conversation Starter
Now, you might be thinking this sounds like a great self-help book, and it is. It's written for everyday people trying to figure this stuff out. It’s broken down into 125 easy-to-digest topics, covering everything from your personal relationship with money all the way to end-of-life planning. The eight chapters even leave blank pages at the end for you to jot down your own notes and ideas.
But here’s what I find really interesting: it’s also designed to be a powerful tool for financial professionals.
Hopkins says the book provides a fantastic framework for advisors to better connect with their clients. Instead of just sliding a financial projection across the table, an advisor can use the book to spark a real conversation. Imagine your advisor saying, "Let's look at lesson #47 together," and using one of the sketches to explain a concept like Social Security timing or healthcare costs.
It’s perfect for workshops, webinars, or even just helping a new client feel comfortable. It’s a way to get on the same page, visually and emotionally.
A Roadmap for the Real World
The truth is, retirement isn’t just one big decision; it’s a web of interconnected choices. Wade Pfau, a well-respected name in our field and the founder of Retirement Researcher, praised the book for tackling this head-on. He noted that it gives a great overview of all those moving parts—from taxes and legacy planning to the really human side of it all, like finding your passion in your later years.
Hopkins even thinks this visual approach is the future. With new technology, he imagines a world where advisors can work with clients to create their own custom sketches of retirement. How cool is that?
Published by Harriman House, the 256-page book is available in paperback and as an audiobook, so you can absorb the lessons however you learn best. It officially launches on March 31 but is already up for pre-order.
Ultimately, this whole concept is a breath of fresh air. It’s a reminder that planning for your future is deeply personal. It’s about your hopes, your dreams, and your vision for a good life. And maybe, just maybe, the best way to start building that life is not with a calculator, but with a pencil and a blank piece of paper.
