Give Every Asset a Job: A Smarter Way to Retire
Serving Families in Davis County and the Salt Lake Valley
Why You Need to Give Every Asset a Job
Imagine running a business where none of the employees had job descriptions. Some would sit idle, others would duplicate work, and important tasks would be overlooked. The result? Confusion, inefficiency, and wasted potential.
The same thing happens with money. When your dollars don’t have clear roles, they either sit idle, get wasted, or fail to provide the security and freedom you need.
For many families in Davis County and the Salt Lake Valley, retirement planning has focused almost exclusively on accumulation — building up account balances during the working years. But retirement is different. It’s no longer about how much you can pile up, it’s about how you use what you’ve built. The key is giving every asset a job so that each dollar has a defined purpose, working together to create the retirement you’ve dreamed of.
The Problem of Unassigned Assets
Too many retirees enter this new phase of life with unassigned assets. They’ve worked hard, saved diligently, and now have substantial accounts — but no clear plan for how each part will be used.
This creates several risks:
Overspending – without clear boundaries, some people draw too much, too fast.
Underspending – others become so fearful of running out that they deny themselves the retirement they worked for.
Missed Tax Opportunities – assets sit in accounts without being managed for lifetime tax savings.
Uncertainty – without defined roles, every decision feels stressful: “Can we afford this?” “Should we take that trip?”
Unassigned assets leave families in a fog. They may have enough, but without a system, they lack the confidence to enjoy it.
The Seven Jobs for Money
At Thrive Retirement Planning, we use a framework we call the Seven Jobs for Money. Every dollar you’ve saved — whether in a retirement account, bank account, or home equity — should be given a job.
Have retirement assets is very different than having a plan. When every asset has a job, your plan becomes clear. You know what each account is for, how it will be used, and when.
1. Protection
Your safety net. This includes emergency funds and insurance strategies that help you weather the unexpected without derailing your plan.
2. Income
The dollars that replace your paycheck in retirement. These assets provide reliable monthly cash flow so you can cover your living expenses with confidence.
3. Fun
Retirement should include joy. This job funds travel, hobbies, family experiences, and the memories you’ll treasure most.
4. Growth
Even in retirement, some assets need to stay invested for the long term. Growth dollars help you keep pace with inflation and extend the life of your wealth.
5. Tax Strategy
These dollars are managed with the goal of minimizing your lifetime tax bill. Roth conversions, withdrawal sequencing, and charitable giving strategies often live here.
6. Healthcare
One of the biggest risks in retirement. These assets are set aside for medical expenses and potential long-term care costs, so health challenges don’t turn into financial crises.
7. Legacy
For many families, it’s not enough to just leave money — they want to pass on values. Legacy assets are those you intentionally prepare to give to children, grandchildren, or causes you care about.
How This Framework Helps You
Giving every asset a job changes the way you experience retirement.
Clarity – Instead of a pile of accounts, you see a structured plan. Each dollar has a purpose.
Confidence – No more constant second-guessing. You’ll know when to spend, when to save, and how to make adjustments.
Purpose – Money is aligned with your values. You’re not just preserving wealth — you’re using it to create the life you want and the legacy you care about.
For example: A couple in Bountiful assigns part of their plan to “Fun” dollars, which they use to take their grandchildren on annual trips. Meanwhile, their “Protection” job is covered by a solid emergency fund, and their “Tax Strategy” job includes ongoing Roth conversions. The result is a retirement they can enjoy without fear.
Part of the Retirement Transition Blueprint
The Give Every Asset a Job framework isn’t something we talk about in isolation. It’s one of the cornerstones of our Retirement Transition Blueprint — the process we use to help families move from working years to retirement years with clarity and confidence.
The Blueprint ensures you:
Have reliable income streams.
Optimize Social Security.
Manage taxes over your lifetime.
Prepare for healthcare and long-term care.
Assign every asset a clear role.
It’s not about dying with the biggest account balance. It’s about using your resources wisely to live well today while preparing for tomorrow.
Learn more about how it all fits together on our Retirement Transition Blueprint page.
Why Families in Davis County and the Salt Lake Valley Value This Approach
Here in Davis County and the Salt Lake Valley, retirement often includes balancing multiple priorities: enjoying life now, supporting children and grandchildren, and preparing for the unexpected.
Families in Bountiful, Kaysville, Layton, and Farmington have told us that this framework brings peace of mind. Instead of wondering if they’ll have “enough,” they know their money is organized with purpose. Some assets are working to cover today’s lifestyle, others are invested for tomorrow, and others are earmarked for healthcare or legacy.
This approach takes the stress out of daily financial decisions and helps families feel empowered to enjoy the retirement they’ve worked for.
What Our Clients Say
See more reviews on our Testimonials page
Ready to Give Every Asset a Job?
Retirement isn’t about hoping things work out. It’s about making intentional choices with the resources you’ve built. Giving every asset a job is the first step toward retiring with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
At Thrive Retirement Planning, we’re here to help families in Davis County and the Salt Lake Valley put this framework into action.
Get Started today and see how the Retirement Transition Blueprint can help you give every dollar, every account, and every asset a job.
Thrive Retirement Planning helps families in Davis County and the Salt Lake Valley give every asset a job and retire with clarity and confidence. Whether you’re preparing to retire soon or already retired, our proven framework helps make the most of what you’ve built.