My Dream Retirement : How to start planning your retirement

Whoaaa the title a bit.... jeng jenggg

yes i am that old enough to start thinking and plan for retirement already hahahaa

As a original kampung girl, I always love kampung.

Whenever and whatever happen in my life, I will go reset myself at kampung because there's is where I started and there's where I feel belonged.

Like everyone else, we love kampung right? Siapa tak suka kampung oi...hahha

Sebagai anak kampung sejati, I always remember how's kampung feel like, look like and I love it!

There’s something about kampung life that always calls me back.

Maybe it’s the quiet mornings.

Maybe it’s the sound of nature replacing traffic.

Or maybe… it’s the feeling of finally being able to slow down after years of juggling work, motherhood, and life.

As a working mom, life right now is full.

Full of responsibilities, deadlines, and routines that never seem to pause.

And somewhere in between all that…

I started thinking about my ending.

Not in a scary way but in a hopeful one.

What kind of life do I want when everything slows down?

A Simple Dream, But Not a Simple Journey

My dream retirement is simple.

To go back to kampung.

To live a slower, more peaceful life.

To wake up without rushing.

To finally breathe.

But here’s the truth I’ve come to realise as a working mom:

A simple retirement doesn’t happen by accident.

It needs planning.

And the earlier we start, the better.

Why Working Moms Need to Think About This Early

As working moms, we are always taking care of everyone else, our children, our husband, our job and our home.

But rarely do we pause and ask, “Am I taking care of my future self?”

Because one day, our children will grow up, our careers will slow down and our energy will not be the same. And when that time comes…We deserve a life that feels peaceful, not stressful.

Important Steps We Can Start Now

We don’t need to do everything at once. But we need to start somewhere.

1. Start With Financial Awareness

You don’t need to be perfect, just be aware.

• Track your spending
• Start saving consistently (even small amount)
• Build your retirement fund (EPF, savings, investment)

Simple goal: So that future you doesn’t have to depend on anyone.

2. Think About Your Kampung Home Early

Whether it’s your hometown or your husband’s kampung:

• Do you already have land?
• Will you renovate or build from zero?
• What kind of lifestyle do you want there?

You don’t need full answers yet. Just start imagining and slowly planning.

3. Reduce Debt, Slowly but Surely

One of the biggest burdens in retirement is debt.

Start now:

• Control unnecessary spending
• Avoid lifestyle inflation
• Focus on clearing what you can

Peaceful life = less financial burden.

4. Learn to Live Simply From Now

Kampung life is not just a place, it’s a lifestyle.

Start practicing:

• Enjoy simple meals
• Spend more time at home
• Reduce dependency on “busy lifestyle”

Because the biggest adjustment later is not location, it’s mindset.

5. Take Care of Your Health

This one is very real.

What’s the point of a peaceful retirement if:

• We are too tired
• Or not healthy enough to enjoy it?

Start small like walk more, eat better and rest when you can.

6. Align With Your Family

Your dream involves your husband and your child too.

Talk about it:

• Where do you want to retire?
• What kind of life do you want?
• What are your shared goals?

Because a peaceful retirement is built together.

A Reminder to All Working Moms

We are strong.

We are capable.

We are used to handling everything.

But don’t forget this:

One day, we will need to rest too.

And when that day comes, let it be a life we prepared for not one we are forced into.

My Dream, My Responsibility

My dream is simple, a slow life, a peaceful home and back in kampung.

If I want that life, I need to start building it today.

Not perfectly.

Not all at once.

But slowly, consistently, with intention.

To every working mom reading this, your future matters too 🤍

Here are some photos that inspired me for this post today. Enjoy!