A “Rad” New GenX Approach to Life & Money in 9 steps

What if we focused on building a life we don’t need to retire from?

Hey, fellow GenXers! (Yes, that includes us 40-somethings who sometimes claim “X-ennial” status to sound cooler.) 😆

Like many of you, my journey’s been anything but linear: from Houlihan’s waitress sporting button flair to recovering attorney, reality TV cast member, tech marketer, startup founder, and now, money blogger. The adventure isn’t over for our generation—unless another pandemic or apocalypse hits, which, let’s be honest, is possible.

If all goes well, we’ve got another 40 to 55 years ahead. So let’s talk about something close to my heart (and probably yours): rethinking the second half of life and retirement.

Why GenX Is Struggling With “This Stage”

If you’ve ever gone trolling around on Reddit’s r/GenX thread, you’ll find there’s some very funny “latch-key kid” comedy in there, with money angst sprinkled in. Jakdracula says, “I did some financial planning and it looks like I can retire at 97 and live comfortably for 11 minutes.”

The Holderness Family is right, we have indeed hit “that stage” and are not handling it very well. Our retirement landscape is nothing like our parents’:

• Sandwiched between aging parents and growing kids

• Juggling careers with more pivots than a basketball game

• Navigating a digital world changing faster than our LinkedIn profiles

And after decades of being ignored by the media, suddenly we’re the poster children for retirement doom:

• “As Generation X Approaches Retirement, Reality Still Bites” – Wall Street Journal

• “GenX Has Retirement Problem and Doesn’t Even Know It” – Newsweek

• “Generation X Anxiety Rises as Retirement Nears” – AARP

But here’s the opportunity: what if “traditional” retirement isn’t the right goal for us?

We’re the hard-working, self-reliant generation who gets things done. Why would we want to sit on a cruise ship eating bon-bons for decades? That sounds like a fast track to boredom. Use it or lose it.

Introducing the Second Curve, Even Better Than the First

A few years ago, I discovered the “Second Curve” concept in Arthur Brooks’ book "From Strength to Strength.” The idea: instead of aiming for a cliff-edge retirement, we create a second arc of growth, purpose, and income—overlapping with our current career.

Having leapt from corporate life to founding a mission-driven company, I can tell you: it’s exhilarating, scary, and absolutely worth it.

Ditch the Retirement Mindset

Here’s the truth: traditional retirement planning doesn’t fit us. We’re likely to live longer, stay healthier, and get bored faster than previous generations.

Financial realities have shifted:

• Pensions are gone, replaced by 401(k)s.

• Social Security will still exist, but at reduced levels—after 2035, it’s projected to cover only about 83% of benefits, dropping to 73% by 2098.

So, instead of fixating on a “retirement age,” what if we built a life we don’t need to retire from?

Financial Strategies for Your Second Curve

I’m not saying blow your 401(k) on a startup (tempting, I know). But we do need a new approach:

• Get clear on your purpose. Save for adventures, not just a vague future.

• Leverage your health and experience. Negotiate flexible work or consulting gigs.

• Diversify your income. Side hustles, rentals, even carefully considered crypto—multiple streams mean more security.

Actionable Steps to Kickstart Your Second Curve

1. Assess Your Current Situation

- Review your finances. Where do you stand and where can you optimize?

- Reflect on your skills and passions. What excites you?

2. Develop a Flexible Financial Plan

- Set goals aligned with your Second Curve vision—business, career break, retraining.

- Write it down: goals, numbers, timelines. It makes it real.

- Know your “freedom number” and model your finances for the second half of life. We're developing a free app to calculate it for you.

3. Invest in Yourself

- Keep learning: courses, workshops, certifications, coaching.

- Stay ahead of the curve—AI is your friend.

- Network actively. Opportunity is a numbers game.

4. Embrace “Unretirement”

- Love your job, or move to one you do.

- Consider part-time or consulting in your field.

- Explore remote work—the world is your office.

5. Prioritize Health and Wellness

- Physical and mental health are your top assets.

- Invest in preventive care.

6. Build Multiple Income Streams

- Start a side hustle aligned with your interests.

- Explore passive income: real estate, etc.

7. Optimize Late-Stage Savings & Tax Strategy

- Use catch-up contributions and max out retirement accounts.

- If self-employed, leverage higher solo 401(k) limits.

- Plan for Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) starting at age 75 (for GenX, moved up from the current 73 for Boomers).

- Move money to Roth options to minimize future taxes.

8. Monitor Investments & Consider Alternatives

- Know your returns. 8% is a solid long-term target; 5% is more conservative.

- Consider alternative investments—private equity, real estate, private credit—for higher returns if your risk tolerance allows.

9. Stay Adaptable

- Regularly reassess your strategy. Change is constant.

- Be open to new opportunities.

Your Second Curve Awaits

GenX, we’re at a unique moment. We have the experience, skills, and now the chance to redefine what the second half of life looks like. It’s not about retiring—it’s about "rewiring" our approach to work, wealth, and purpose.

A mid-career shift can be scary. When I left my corporate job, I had plenty of sleepless nights. But the biggest regrets come from not trying. Most things aren’t irreversible—you can always pivot again.

So, what will your Second Curve look like? A new business? Side passion project? Entirely new career? Or maybe you’ll master your current path well into your 70s—or 100s, like Dr. Tucker.

Whatever your vision, start planning now. Your future self—vibrant, engaged, and purposeful—is counting on you. You can even talk to "future you" and they'll tell you.

At Richuel, we believe daily money habits (“richuels”) add up to big change. Your Second Curve is calling—are you ready?

Until next time, keep growing, keep learning, and keep building wealth—in all its forms.

That’s a rich GenX life.

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Richuel is an AI-powered digital financial health platform dedicated to helping people navigate career and life shifts with better financial decision support. People often think finance is difficult and time-consuming. With the help of better digital experiences and hybrid AI technology, plus easy and affordable access to human expert support, we’re changing that one daily financial “richuel” at a time.

Sign up for our early access list, free for a limited time at https://www.richuel.com/.