The theme for this year’s Money Matters conference was “You and Your Money – Living Your Dream.” Our clients are diligent in planning and preparing for future events or times in their lives. Unfortunately, some plan very well only to have trouble spending money when the time comes. It should be rewarding to spend money when you have planned, saved, and successfully reached your goal. With this in mind, we want you to feel empowered to live your dream.
When you think of the future, what do you imagine? What does “Living Your Dream” mean to you? Get a piece of paper and jot down 4 or 5 things that come to mind. There are no right or wrong answers. Your dreams are unique to you. Many people dream of financial security, some dream of travel and experiences, and others dream of retiring and living comfortably without the fear of running out of money. Something all dreams have in common is they rarely happen without a plan.
Let’s say travel is one of your dreams, and you want to go on a cruise. There are decisions you need to make before hopping on a ship. Where do you want to go? How much will it cost? Do you have to fly to your departing port? What’s included in the meals? What about shore excursions? What will you need to take? Will it require an update to your wardrobe? Do you need a passport? As you can see, there are many things to consider.
Now think back to my question. What does “Living Your Dream” mean to you?
Imagine this, beginning today and for the rest of your life, you are on a personal life cruise. You are the captain of your ship. Your journey begins now but will last for many years, reaching multiple destinations of your choice. You can enjoy each stop along the way if you have a plan.
Destinations to consider in your life journey could be:
- Building up an emergency fund
- Buying a home
- Helping children or grandchildren with education
- Getting out of debt
- Making a large purchase (car, RV, home remodel, family trip)
- Preparing for retirement
- Leaving a legacy to your family
The list can be as long or short as you want. You only need to determine when you will reach each destination and how much money you will need. The plan will incorporate the requirements to help you get there successfully. Each of you can make your life journey enjoyable by having the right plan in place. Now that you’ve envisioned living your dream, I invite you to review your plan with your wealth advisor at Smedley Financial to ensure you are on track for each stop along the way. Doing this gives you the freedom to enjoy the fruits of your labor without worry or regret.
