sometimes, the memories you make with the people you love are worth more than the money sitting in an account.
A story my dad told me early in my career has stayed with me ever since.
A woman was standing in a supermarket, looking at two fillet steaks. She picked them up, then put them back. They felt too extravagant.
The woman beside her said, quietly:
“Buy the steaks. My husband died last month, and I’d give anything to share one more meal with him.”
I found myself thinking about that story again recently after meeting with Josie.
Josie’s husband had passed away almost a year earlier. Understandably, she hadn’t felt ready to deal with the financial side of things until now. When she finally came to see me, we were able to get everything organised fairly quickly.
As she was leaving she told me she wished they had spent more of their money making memories together while they still had the chance.
Not long afterwards, Josie decided to cash in her investments. Her plan wasn’t to buy more possessions or leave the money sitting in a bank account. She wanted to spend it on experiences with her daughter and grandchildren while she could enjoy them together.
It’s a sentiment I hear a lot from clients in their seventies and beyond.
Very few people look back and wish they’d spent more time waiting for the perfect moment. Many wish they’d taken the trip, booked the meal, celebrated the occasion, or simply made more time for the people they love.
The reality is that none of us knows how much time we have.
That’s why good financial planning isn’t just about preparing for the future – it’s equally important to make sure you’re enjoying life today.
Because sometimes, the memories you make with the people you love are worth more than the money sitting in an account.
Buy the steaks.
And on that note, I’m off to Spain tomorrow with the family and my bicycle 😊
