A Change in Perspective: From “How Much is Enough?” to “Enough for What?”

We often think of wealth management as a process of accumulation. How much do we need in our retirement accounts? What’s the magic number that will let us sleep soundly at night? These questions are important, and they’re ones we ask ourselves constantly throughout our lives.

As we consider ways to align our wealth with our values, I’d like to suggest a different, even more meaningful question we should be asking ourselves: “Enough for what?”

Ultimately, the difference between the two questions helps us understand the journey between basic financial security and a higher level of fulfillment.

The only question now is … How do we get there?

Understanding “How Much is Enough?”

Let me be clear: Asking yourself, “how much is enough?” is not a selfish question. It’s essential. We all need to understand what it takes to maintain our lifestyle, protect our families, and weather unexpected storms. This question is hardwired into us — it’s part of our survival instinct.

But this instinct can also become a trap. As our wealth grows, it becomes easy to forget what we once lived on comfortably. The goalposts keep moving. We start thinking that we always need more. It’s a natural worry that everything we’ve worked for might not be enough, that one wrong turn could send us tumbling back down to where we started.

As an advisor, our job is to protect you from falling, while also protecting you from the fear of falling. Once we address that fear through sound planning and realistic projections, something remarkable happens. You can stop thinking about doomsday scenarios and start thinking about something much more interesting: What you actually want to do with your wealth.

Transitioning to an “Enough for What?” Approach

One of the most important responsibilities for any financial advisor is to help clients identify their goals. Goals can be simple: Maybe it’s funding a child’s education, buying a vacation home, or ensuring a comfortable retirement. These are clear, measurable objectives — a budgeting spreadsheet with expenses, savings, and returns can help us get there.

But are these enough? I would argue they’re not.

If we’re seeking something deeper than financial security — if we’re after genuine life fulfillment — we need to look beyond the checklist. What brings you joy? What matters most to you? What legacy do you want to leave? These questions are harder to quantify, but they’re infinitely more important.

This is how we begin to answer the question, “enough for what?” When we define what gives our lives meaning and use our wealth to support it, we move from financial success to life satisfaction. Simply checking off goals one after the other leaves us feeling empty. What happens when you’ve checked every box? You’re left with a list of past accomplishments and nothing meaningful to look forward to.

Shifting to an “enough for what?” framework gives us something broader and more enduring. Instead of a series of goals, we develop a set of values. When you deploy your wealth toward what truly matters — funding a grandchild’s creative passion, supporting causes you believe in, creating experiences that strengthen family bonds — you create lasting meaning.

That’s when wealth becomes truly valuable, not because of how much you have, but because of what you’re doing with it. This is the wisdom that transforms financial success into a life well-lived.