Are You Working Longer Than You Need To? The Power of Knowing ‘Enough’

For many small business owners, the dream of retirement can feel like a moving target. You’ve worked tirelessly to build something valuable, but how do you know when it’s the right time to step away? And more importantly, how do you know if you have enough?

Paul Armson’s book, "Enough? How Much Money Do You Need for the Rest of Your Life?", explores a game-changing approach to financial planning — one that focuses on life first, money second. It’s not about chasing an arbitrary savings figure; it’s about understanding what you need to live the life you want.

At Santorini Financial Planning, we embrace this philosophy wholeheartedly. We help small business owners like you answer the fundamental question: "Do I have enough?" If you do, you may be able to retire earlier than expected or start enjoying your wealth today. If you don’t, small adjustments can often make a big difference. Either way, knowing your number brings confidence and peace of mind.

Why ‘Enough’ Matters More Than ‘More’

Too many business owners keep working simply because they don’t know where they stand financially. Some assume they need millions to retire comfortably, while others worry about running out of money. Armson’s book makes it clear: without understanding your ‘bucket’—what’s coming in, what’s going out, and how long it will last—you could be working longer than necessary or, worse, living with unnecessary financial anxiety.

At Santorini, we use lifestyle financial planning to map out your future, stress-test different retirement scenarios, and show you, in clear terms, whether your business has already provided you with enough or if adjustments are needed.

The Business Owner’s Secret Advantage

As a business owner, you have a unique opportunity: your company isn’t just a source of income — it’s an asset that can help secure your future. But too often, business owners pour everything back into the company without treating their own retirement like a non-negotiable expense.

Like Paul Armson points out, British Airways includes the cost of their pilots’ pensions in every ticket sold — so why wouldn’t you build your own financial future into your business plan? We work with business owners to ensure their business is funding their personal ‘enough,’ whether that’s through structured profit extraction, tax-efficient investing, or planning for an eventual sale or succession.

How We Help You Find ‘Enough’

Our process starts with defining what a great retirement looks like for you. We then create a lifetime cashflow forecast to show exactly how much you’ll need to maintain that lifestyle—without fear of running out. Then, we ensure your investments, business assets, and financial strategies are aligned to that number.

When you know your ‘enough,’ decision-making becomes clearer. You might discover you can exit your business years earlier than expected. You might realise you can afford to take more time off now, knowing your finances are secure. Or, if you’re not quite there yet, you’ll have a plan to close the gap without guesswork.

The Biggest Risk? Not Knowing.

The biggest financial mistake isn’t investing in the wrong fund or paying too much tax - it’s not knowing whether you’re already financially free. That uncertainty leads many business owners to stay in the game longer than they need to, sacrificing time with family, travel, or personal fulfilment.

At Santorini Financial Planning Ltd , we believe financial planning should give you clarity, confidence, and permission to enjoy the life you’ve worked so hard to build.

So, let’s ask the real question: Are you working because you have to or because you don’t know you don’t have to?

If you’re ready to find out, let’s talk.

#RetirementPlanning #FinancialFreedom #Enough #BusinessOwners #LifeCentredFinancialPlanning

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