How Many Good Summers Do You Have Left?

I just spent a lovely weekend at some friend's wedding in Koh Samui. We all sat there in the pool laughing at our little ones and their glee at jumping in the pool or paddling in the sea. Life is not a perpetual present. Time moves forward relentlessly, and whether we’re entering or exiting another summer or school year, it’s an opportune moment to contemplate the brevity of our time on this planet.

Reflecting on Time

At this time of years when many of us are looking at summer holidays and booking trips away, many of us take stock of the past year while setting aspirations for the future. We’re now well into the roaring twenties, and though the days may stretch on, the years are fleeting.

Rethinking Wealth

Traditionally, we define wealth as the amount of money at our disposal. This narrow definition can lead many to dedicate their finite time to accumulating wealth, often at the expense of what truly matters.

While we recognize that money holds value and squandering it seems foolish, we frequently overlook what is even more precious: time. Time is a finite resource; its quantity is uncertain, but its limitations are clear.

Those who achieve financial wealth often realize, sometimes too late, that true wealth lies in the ability to use money to buy time—time to spend as we wish, engaging in activities that bring us joy.

A Shift in Perspective

The pandemic has compelled many of us to reevaluate how we spend our time. This period of reflection offers a unique opportunity to reconsider the balance between time and money. Time can feel abstract, but we can bring it to life by contemplating how many significant events or seasons we may have left.

• How many books do you realistically have left to read?
• How many holidays can you still enjoy with your parents or children?
• How many good summers lie ahead, ones you’re healthy enough to cherish?

We seldom take the time to reflect on the quality time remaining in our lives, often caught up in the daily hustle. One of the things that my brother and I have agreed on is spending more quality time with our mum, doing things on her bucket list and maximizing the fun we can have while we are all healthy and happy.

Time Enough

Although our time is limited, there is ample opportunity to lead a meaningful life if we use it wisely. The Roman philosopher Seneca wisely noted:

"It is not that we have a short space of time, but that we waste much of it. Life is long enough, and it has been given in sufficiently generous measure to allow the accomplishment of the very greatest things if the whole of it is well invested."

A more holistic approach to financial planning should encompass not just how we invest our money, but also how we allocate our time, energy, and talents.

Being Intentional

As we near the end of another calendar year, the challenge of being intentional with our time is one we can all embrace. It's essential to connect our financial resources with the life we aspire to live—a responsibility we take seriously.

Our goal is to assist you in making informed decisions about your money, enabling you to savor the summers you have left.

Let’s cherish our time and invest in the moments that truly matter.

Adapted from ? 2021 Humans Under Management. All rights reserved. Used by permission.