Why do we find it easier to buy an expensive pair of shoes then to plan our own financial future? Is it because with shoes, as with clothes, purses, jewelry, and cars, you get instant gratification?
I must admit, a beautiful pair of suede red stiletto pumps that I really don’t need paired with a fabulous outfit is quite tempting. And if you can afford it, great! Buy ‘em! But do you really know if you can afford them if you haven’t planned your financial future? Money in your purse, or even in the bank, is not necessarily money for shoes. Think about what you envision for your life in retirement. I know I have to push the temptation aside. Especially now, as I just had the privilege of enjoying another birthday, bringing retirement one step closer and the days of my youth more and more a distant memory. Now, I am not telling you not to enjoy life now, in the present moment. But realize that each day you live also brings you closer to retirement which is looming on the horizon.
I remember talking with an older, more mature woman about her life. She shared with me what is important to her now. She is a vibrant woman who had a fantastic career that allowed her to travel around the world. She had a good life, she loved it and lived it to the fullest. But she said that now, her family is the most important thing to her. She said, “When I had my career, I bought a lot of things that I thought I needed at the time. But now that I am older, these things are irrelevant, just items stuffed in my closet with no meaning to me at all.”
She didn’t mean that she’s now regretted buying all of that “stuff” in her closet. She meant that life looks different to her now. Fortunately, she had planned for her financial future, so she was able to enjoy her retirement and care for the people who are most important to her.
But not everyone plan ahead. One thing I hear quite often from women is, “I wish I had met you when I was younger!” They say they would have made different choices when it came to their finances. I find this statement quite interesting. Because it’s important for me to know why we wait? Help is out there. That’s why I wrote about the importance of finding a good financial planner so you can get help sooner rather than later.
Now, this is a huge topic, so it will be the topic of several blog posts. The next post will discuss the question many of you have: cost. So, be sure to visit my site again before you buy that next pair of stilettos.
