money...

When you are 27 years old the most distant thought in your head is that you could be dead soon. Where are we going on vacation? Should I continue school? Should we start thinking about buying a house and having kids? These are the questions that enter your mind when you are 27 years old. I, like everyone else, took for granted that I would live to an old age. Obviously I don’t take that for granted anymore.

I’ve always tried to live my life for now, not prepare for the future. I don’t have a retirement account. I don’t believe people my age will ever be able to retire. So there was no reason to put away money for when I turn 70. What is the purpose of saving money to spend later? What happens if later never comes? For over 3 years Cat and I have been living together and continuously I have told her “do what you want.” She would ask if she could go buy something at the mall. She would ask if she can get her nails done. She has always been polite and considerate to our relationship, money, and my feelings. But purchasing clothes, spending money, having fun, and going out among many others were all on the list of things she didn’t have to ask for permission. My response every time she asked for something in those categories was, “Go out, have fun, buy whatever it is, because tomorrow might not be here and you won’t have the opportunity.” I heard a quote one time that had an impact on me. “It’s only money, you can always make more.”

-John