At 64 years old, Isabelle B. does not intend to slow down. A former communications executive based in Paris, she chose to continue working… but at her own pace. Three days a week in SME consulting, the rest of the time being spent on hobbies, friends and family. “I wanted to keep my mind active and my finances secure“, she explains. Recently grandmother of a little girl, she also talks about the importance of “leave some heritage behind“, when she is no longer there.
Her pension amounts to around 2,000 euros per month, but she is not satisfied with this pension alone. With her part-time job and a well-thought-out investment strategy, the Parisian intends to transform her income into real “source of freedom“. His dream? Have enough money to buy an apartment in Bordeaux in the next ten years and finally taste the sweetness of life by the sea.
1700 euros gross monthly additional
For her old age, what Isabelle would want is the ocean. She, who admits “be a little afraid of the waves», dreams of enjoying the sea spray after thirty years in the capital. As demanding as it was, the former corporate executive didn’t want to stop everything suddenly last year. “Logically, I told myself that I was going to continue doing what I know how to do, but a little less», explains the sixty-year-old. From now on, she works three days a week within the same structure, for 1,700 euros gross per month.
These days are enough to “stimulate my mind» and to maintain a link with the business world, while leaving time for his activities. “I watch a lot of shows, but I also see a lot of friends“, she specifies. This organization, with a lot of free time, also allows him to calmly monitor his investments and control his accounts.
Diversified investments
Because nothing is left to chance: monthly budget, precise monitoring of expenses, anticipation of charges. “It’s simple, but essential: know exactly what goes in and out», insists Isabelle. She did not want her part-time salary to remain tied up in low-paying accounts. With the help of her brother, she built a balanced strategy: life insurance, index funds and a small portfolio of dividend-paying stocks. Every month, she invests regularly and monitors quarterly to adjust if necessary.
Result: she generates around 25% additional income compared to her pension, while securing her capital. “It’s not spectacular every month, but the cumulative effect over five to ten years really makes a difference“, she emphasizes. This discipline allows him to enjoy small pleasures without feeling guilty: outings with his friends, weekends with the grandchildren and soon the realization of his Bordeaux dream. His best advice for post-retirement? “You have to work little, but intelligently», she says with a touch of mischief.
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