Welcome back to our podcast, fresh from our sabbatical! We're thrilled to take you on an exhilarating journey filled with insightful conversations on business, finance, and personal experiences. We dive into everything from visa requirements for non-European travelers to discussing a heartwarming family show on Channel 4.

Our return is marked by light-hearted banter on the highs and lows of golf, body weight exercises, and a peek into our recent office move. Not to forget the saga of the never-ending carpet issue which might leave you chuckling!

But it's not all laughs. We venture into the serious territory of financial planning, specifically retirement. With the landscape of retirement morphing, we share our concerns about inadequate savings, the impact of inflation, the growing wealth gap, and the challenges of acquiring property in the present market scenario.

Our discussions are anchored in the reality that a significant proportion of people are not saving enough. This could lead to a generation that may be forced to work until they die unless they receive a substantial inheritance. We delve into the changing dynamics of retirement with people potentially living in retirement for up to 36 years. The concept of retiring in the mid-50s is explored, alongside how inflation may be higher than what is being reported. We examine the repercussions of people living beyond their means, leading to a widening gap between the rich and the poor.

Property and finance intricacies are dissected, as we explore the complexities of finding the right loan rates. The risks of using generic online calculators to find the right deal are also discussed. We emphasize that paying into a workplace pension is always a good idea, despite the inability to access the money until later in life.

Our conversation also covers the realities of financial planning, which often intimidate individuals, leading to a bury-the-head-in-the-sand approach. We advocate the need for informed financial decisions, and hope to provide you with the tools to make these decisions confidently.

Remember, being informed is being empowered. So join us on this journey as we unravel these complex issues and help you navigate the choppy waters of finance, property, and life's many updates.