Every year, it seems as though summer will last forever. Then, all of a sudden, it's Stampede, then Labour Day, and soon the frost hits the grass on cool fall mornings. We find ourselves thinking, Wow, is summer over already? I should have done more, enjoyed more, and truly taken it all in!

Life is much the same when it comes to the ultimate asset. We once had a client in her late 70s who said, memorably: “If you're going to travel, learn to do it when you're young. When you're older, even if you have plenty of money, if you never learned how, you probably never will.” We believe this wisdom extends beyond travel to the broader principles of living a fulfilling life. There are certain things in life that don’t last forever, even though we might think they will.

When we’re young parents, we might think, If I can just get these kids out of diapers and dressing themselves, life will be simpler. Then it becomes, If I can get these kids driving, life will be simpler. Later, When these kids get married, life will be simpler. Or, Once I have the mortgage paid off, life will be simpler. But anyone who has gone through these stages knows that none of this is true. Life changes, but it never becomes simpler or like a Lotto 6/49 commercial. Life is always what we make of it, and finances and health are a big part of that picture.

People often say: “If I had $1 million, I would do whatever I wanted”, or “If I had $10 million, I could do whatever I want, enjoy peace of mind, and feel safe”. But neither of these are true, as we have learned from chatting with our most contented clients: contentment is a choice, not a destination.

Just like summer, good health is fleeting and a diminishing asset. It is, in fact, the ultimate asset. While saving money, living below your means, planning for retirement, and saving on taxes are all very important, it’s also crucial to hold these things loosely and live life recognizing that your health at 90 will not be the same as when you were 70 or 50. Do the things you value, that are important to you, and enjoy them along the way.

Whether it’s giving your wealth to causes that matter deeply to you, sharing experiences with friends and family, or doing simple things with your kids or grandkids at a time in your life when they will have the most impact—do it now, while it matters most. The families we serve have shared stories of driving their kids to university across the country, going on special trips with aging parents, taking charitable adventures to Central America with a spouse, or enjoying multigenerational family vacations. Whatever it is, do it now while it matters most.

Of course, it’s important to be prudent with your financial affairs to ensure your assets can take care of you and your loved ones. Yet, it is also essential to enjoy the time you have today, while you have the health, time, and resources for experiences that may not be possible down the road.

That is the essence of sound and sensible financial planning.

Enjoy your summer!

Randy, Ian, and Harrison