Let’s Be Honest: Who Are You Saving It For?If you don’t have children or close relatives, it’s natural to wonder:“What happens to everything I’ve worked for when I’m gone?”
But maybe a better question is:
“Why am I holding onto all this — when I could be enjoying it now?”
You’re not alone in thinking this way. In fact, more and more people in later life are turning to equity release as a way to unlock the money tied up in their home and start living for themselves.
And for people with no dependents or family to leave money to, it’s become a smart way to:
Travel and explore the world
Upgrade their home for more comfort
Pay for personal care or support
Simply breathe easier financially
It’s not greedy. It’s not selfish. It’s actually quite freeing.
You’ve spent your whole life working, saving, and being responsible.
Now it’s your turn. And you don’t need to apologise for that.
“I was saving and saving,” she says, “but for what? I didn’t want to leave it all behind for the government or distant cousins I haven’t spoken to in 30 years.”
So she released £60,000 from her home through equity release. And what did she do?
Took a 12-week cruise around the Med — her dream since her twenties
Explored Italy, Greece, Spain, and Croatia
Refreshed her kitchen and turned the spare room into an art studio
Hired a gardener and booked a weekly massage
“I don’t feel guilty,” she says. “I feel alive. I feel free.”
Brenda still lives in her home, has no regrets — and finally feels like her money is working for her.
Here are some ideas:
Leave money to a charity or cause that reflects your values — from animal shelters to medical research
Set up a trust to support education, care for pets, or fund local community projects
Gift while you’re alive — whether to close friends, loyal carers, or neighbours who’ve been there for you
Support young people in your life — nieces, nephews, godchildren, or someone who’s like family
Donate to science or the arts, or support mental health charities doing powerful work
The point is: you still have options. You can split your estate, set up a will, and make sure what you leave behind — if anything — reflects who you are.
"The Bigger Truth: You Deserve to Be Selfish SometimesLet’s say it plainly:You don’t need to leave anything behind if you don’t want to." Brenda from Devon
If you have no family, or no desire to give your estate away, that’s perfectly okay.
You’re allowed to:
Spend your money
Enjoy your time
Live without guilt
Life is short. You’re still here. And this chapter? It belongs to you.
So whether it’s a cruise, a new kitchen, support with care, or just fewer money worries — equity release might give you the freedom to do more with the time you have.
Final Thought
The idea that you should save everything “just in case” or “for someone else” doesn’t fit everyone. Not anymore. More people are realising that:
If you’ve got no one to leave it to, you can spend it on you.
If you want to leave a legacy, you can do it your way.
And if you’ve worked hard all your life, now is the time to enjoy what you’ve earned.
Whether you spend it, gift it, or a bit of both — make it count.
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