This morning I am sitting in my usual seat at McDonald's enjoying my coffee and bran muffin with butter. Enjoying the coffee and the butter. Nancy is sleeping peacefully at home - she prefers sleep to bran muffins. I have been thinking about the Funds that really make a difference in our lives. There are 4 that we cannot live without. If your'e not sure what you will do in retirement, why not start practicing now?
A few years ago I bought a one way ticket to Seatle, WA. I stuffed the $7700 I had been saving up into my coat pocket. It was a little weird when the customs officer asked if I was traveling with more than $10,000 in cash. When I got there that Sunday afternoon I rented a car and booked myself into a cheap motel. I then started on the task of finding a second hand truck and motorcycle. The next day I bought a Mazda B2200 truck for $1800 and then the next day I bought a Vulcan 900 for $5500. With some help, I loaded the Motorcycle unto the truck and drove home. I not only enjoyed the vehicles, but I have an awesome story as well. I did this when the Canadian dollar was fetching an additional 10% of US dollars. I was able to take advantage of a window of opportunity.
1. Opportunity Fund - No, a 1/2 price sale at Value Village does not qualify! I'm thinking opportunities to make money, go on a trip or take advantage of those once in a lifetime experiences. Just think of how many opportunities you let pass by because you didn't have the time or the money or the guts to jump on it. Stop living life with so many regrets.
2. Fun Fund - All work and no fun leads to constipation and constipation leads to more bran. Whatever you like doing, whether it's travelling, eating out or back packing around Saskatchewan create a fund for doing this and make sure you can access that money guilt-free.
3. Emergency Fund - It's not a matter of if, but when, an emergency is going to makes its un-welcomed presence known. Car problems, broken pipes or broken teeth. These emergencies can have a devastating effect on our finances and our peace of mind. Often, when we are helping clients restructure their debt it's usually the case that most of the debts are a result of unplanned emergencies.
4. Generosity Fund - How many times have you not given your time or money because you didn't have any to give? "We make a living by what we earn, we make a life by what we give". That quote by someone has always stuck with me. Why not fill a jar with money for the purpose of giving it away...interesting, a man just came up to me asking for $2...he came at an opportune time.
We like the "Advantage Account" offered by Manulife Bank for any of these funds as it pays a 1% dailly interest.
It's your money and it's your life. Do what you want with it, not what someone else thinks you should do with it. Life comes with a 100% death rate - no one gets out alive. I want a memory book at my funeral with my friends, family, experiences, adventures, motorcycle trips, mission trips, golf tournaments, graduations, camping trips and fails in it, not some flowers. Life is for living and money is a tool for helping us live it to the fullest and helping others along the way.
Want to retire in the next few years? Find out why a Retirement Income Plan is necessary.
Retirement Income & Investment Advisors,
Willis & Nancy Langford
Everyone Needs and Deserves a Written Quality Retirement Plan
