$1.46 Million—or Bust? The Truth About Retirement Anxiety

According to the 2026 Northwestern Mutual Planning & Progress Study, Americans believe they need to have accumulated $1.46 million to retire comfortably. But the reality is far bleaker: the average household of couples in their high 50s doesn't even have $250,000 saved up for their retirement.  Midlifers are... well, midway through their life journey. Retirement savings is critical, but not always top of mind. That's a problem. Investing early builds compounding interest that pays dividents later in life.  The good news: there's always something you can do to improve your situation. This week, Mike and Andew are joined by Daniel Honsberger, the founder of Real Financial Planning, who pushes past the obsession with arbitrary “magic numbers” and reframes retirement as a personal equation shaped by lifestyle, habits, and time. From building a savings rhythm and understanding tax-advantaged accounts to avoiding costly investing mistakes, the discussion cuts through the noise and focuses on what actually moves the needle—consistent behaviour, low-cost investing, and resisting the temptation to gamble away hard-earned progress.