10/07/2026
A few years ago, I had a client I’ll call David.
David worked incredibly hard, lived below his means, and diligently built an impressive nest egg. He was a perfect planner.
He spent thirty years deferring his dreams of major travel, telling me at every annual review, "We'll do the big Europe trip after the kids are out of college," then, "once I finally retire."
He retired at 65, healthy and excited. He and his wife spent six months planning the journey of a lifetime.
The week before they were set to leave, David received a sudden diagnosis that grounded them.
He never got to take that trip. He never got to take that trip. The money was there, the plan was solid, but time ran out.
David’s story reminds us that we are not just planning for "retirement." We are planning for a life that must be lived along the way.
As a financial planner, I focus on responsible, long-term security. But saving responsibly and enjoying your life today shouldn't be mutually exclusive.
Your income should fund two non-negotiable goals: building your future safety and funding your present joy.
If you're constantly waiting for the "perfect season" or a later version of yourself to finally start making memories, you're betting on a timeline nobody can guarantee.
Build a strong foundation for tomorrow, yes, but make sure you take the trip, spend the time, and enjoy the fruits of your hard work today.
P.S. I promise the sunset in the background of this photo wasn't a green screen. Costa Rica really just looks like that! 😉