On a recent trip to Maui, my husband and I had front-row seats to stunning sunsets every evening. One night, as we stood on the beach watching the sun slip below the horizon, a complete sense of calm washed over me as I let myself be fully present to the moment. I turned to him and said, “As long as we are willing and able, let’s make time for this again.”
That moment reminded me of the wisdom I gained from reading Die With Zero by Bill Perkins: Life is meant to be lived.
The Three Key Resources: Health, Time, and Money
We navigate life with three resources: health, time, and money. An abundant and fulfilling life is found in the balance of the three.
- Health: There are things we can do today that may not be possible in the future. The physical ability to hike that trail, take that long-awaited trip, or even dance at a concert isn’t guaranteed forever. Taking advantage of times of good health is imperative.
- Time: We assume we have plenty, but life has a way of reminding us otherwise. Many people don’t regret what they did—they regret what they never made time for. How are you leveraging the time you have to live the life you want?
- Money: Money is a powerful tool we can leverage to create stability and lasting memories. As my father always said, “If money can solve it, it’s not a problem.” The real question is: Are we using it to truly live?
Don’t Wait for Retirement to Start Living
As a financial advisor, I’ve spent decades focused on planning for the future. That discipline has given me financial security and has allowed me to help many clients achieve financial freedom. However, along the way, I’ve neglected to ask myself: Am I making time for what truly matters now?
Too often, we fall into the “work now, live later” mindset. We push aside experiences, assuming we’ll have time once we’ve achieved financial freedom. But life doesn’t work that way. When Celine Dion announced she could no longer perform due to health issues, I was heartbroken. I had always wanted to see her live but kept telling myself, “Someday.” That someday never came. This has been a stark reminder to seize opportunities while I have the health and time to make them happen.
Maximizing Experiences
The best moments in life often don’t require much money, just intention. Watching cherry blossoms bloom, catching up with an old friend, taking an impromptu road trip, or simply sitting beside a loved one to watch the sunset are invaluable experiences.
Bill Perkins calls these “memory dividends.” Like compounding interest, they continue to bring joy long after they happen. You’ll never regret creating meaningful memories—but you may regret the chances you didn’t take.
Shifting Your Perspective
We don’t have to wait for a wake-up call to start making different choices. Ask yourself:
- Am I balancing my time, health, and money in a way that aligns with what truly matters?
- Am I prioritizing meaningful experiences while working toward financial security?
- What brings me joy, and how can I make more time for it?
If you’ve been saving diligently but delaying life, I encourage you to rethink your approach. Reading Die With Zero challenged me to be more intentional with my time, energy, and resources to find a balance that allows me to live a fulfilling life.
At the end of your life, will you be glad you worked those extra hours and saved those extra dollars—or will you wish you had watched one more sunset with someone you love?
For me, I will always choose the sunset.
