Now Money, Later Money, and Never Money: Organize Your Retirement with Purpose

Now, Later, and Never Money: A Simpler Way to Think About Retirement Assets

Planning for retirement can feel overwhelming. Between navigating market swings, deciding when to take Social Security, and figuring out how long your money will last, it’s no wonder many people approach retirement with a mix of anxiety and confusion.

That’s why, at LynnLeigh & Company, we use a simple but powerful framework to help clients stay grounded and avoid emotional mistakes. We call it: Now, Later, and Never Money.

Think of your finances like a well-organized closet. Everything has a place, a purpose, and a timeline. When you know what money is meant for what purpose—and when you’ll need it—your confidence grows.

Let’s break it down:

🔹 Now Money

This is your short-term financial safety net.

It’s the cash you’ll need over the next 12 to 24 months. That includes your regular monthly bills, groceries, insurance premiums, and any upcoming planned expenses—like a new car, a family vacation, or remodeling your kitchen.

Now Money lives in a checking or savings account or perhaps a short-term CD. It’s not invested in the market because the goal isn’t growth—it’s liquidity and stability. You should be able to access this money easily, without worrying about whether the market is up or down.

Having Now Money set aside is one of the best ways to reduce financial stress. When the market dips, you’re not forced to sell investments to cover daily expenses. You have what you need, right where you need it.

Examples of Now Money:

• Checking accounts

• High-yield savings accounts

• Emergency fund

• Short-term CDs or money market funds

🔹 Later Money

This is the money that powers your retirement.

It’s invested for growth and income and is meant to support your lifestyle for the next 20 to 30 years. Later Money includes accounts like IRAs, 401(k)s, brokerage accounts, or annuities—anything designed to generate income or grow over time.

Because this money isn’t needed right away, it has time to ride out market ups and downs. That means it can be invested in a way that balances risk and reward.

The key with Later Money is proper planning. A well-structured withdrawal strategy ensures that when you do tap into these funds, it’s done in a tax-efficient and sustainable way.

Examples of Later Money:

• Traditional or Roth IRAs

• 401(k)s and other employer-sponsored plans

• Long-term investment accounts

• Income-producing real estate

🔹 Never Money

This is your legacy.

Never Money represents the portion of your assets that you don’t expect to use in your lifetime. It might be designated for your children, grandchildren, or a charitable cause close to your heart.

Because this money has the longest time horizon, it can be invested more aggressively—assuming that your Now and Later Money needs are covered.

But don’t be fooled: just because you won’t spend it doesn’t mean it’s off the radar. Never Money still plays a key role in your overall financial picture. It can impact your estate plan, tax strategy, and even how much risk you’re comfortable taking in other areas.

Examples of Never Money:

• Irrevocable trusts

• Charitable remainder trusts

• Life insurance benefits

• Assets designated for heirs

Why This Framework Matters

When you divide your assets into Now, Later, and Never categories, something shifts. The fear that often accompanies financial decision-making starts to fade.

Instead of reacting to every market dip or piece of financial news, you can stay focused on the big picture. You know your short-term needs are handled. You know your long-term plan is in place. And you know your legacy is protected.

It’s a practical, emotional, and strategic win.

Retirement planning isn’t about guessing what the market will do next month or trying to time your withdrawals perfectly. It’s about clarity, intention, and alignment with your life goals.

The Now Money, Later Money, and Never Money framework helps bring that clarity. It’s one of the many tools we use at LynnLeigh & Company to support your retirement journey—not just financially, but emotionally as well.

When your money has a purpose, your plan has power.

Let’s make sure every dollar knows exactly where it belongs.

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LynnLeigh & Company - A Registered Investment Advisor This information is provided by LynnLeigh & Co. for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable – LynnLeigh & Co. advisors cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances. To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.   Past performance is not a guarantee of future returns.

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