Friends on Fridays features a post by my best friend – my husband Kelly. Not only is he a big thinker and a problem solver, he has a vast music collection and a head for lyrics. Here’s his take on finding financial wisdom in the most unexpected places.
Two classic rock songs offer starkly contrasting philosophies that could leave even the savviest savers scratching their head. On one hand, we have The Grass Roots urging us to “Let’s Live for Today,” while Fleetwood Mac implores us to “Don’t Stop Thinking About Tomorrow.” Should we take financial advice from Summer of Love hippies or Fleetwood Mac?
“Let’s Live for Today” advocates for a carpe diem approach to life and, by proxy, finances. It’s as if they’re saying, “Why bother with a 401(k) when you could be living it up right now?” This YOLO (You Only Live Once) mentality might have you maxing out credit cards faster than you can sing “sha-la-la-la-la.”
On the flip side, Fleetwood Mac’s 1977 anthem could be the theme song for every financial planner worth their salt. It practically screams, “Have you considered your retirement options?” and “Don’t forget to diversify your portfolio!” The best things in life are free but you can give them for the birds and bees…I need money, that’s what I want!
So many questions. Should we party like it’s the end of world as we know it? Will tomorrow be better than today? Such conflicting messages. Who to believe? So, which philosophy should guide our financial decisions? Should we throw caution to the wind and live for today, or should we constantly fret about our future nest egg?
Likely the answer lies somewhere in the middle. Maybe we should aim for a financial strategy that allows us to enjoy life’s pleasures today while still ensuring we’re not eating cat food in our golden years. After all, chances are that we will live to see another day.
In the end, whether you’re more inclined to embrace The Grass Roots’ carefree attitude or Fleetwood Mac’s forward-thinking approach, one thing’s for certain: these classic rock bands probably weren’t thinking about IRAs and mutual funds when they penned these tunes. But hey, who says we can’t find financial wisdom in the most unexpected places? Just remember, if you’re taking money advice from pop songs, you might want to consult a real financial advisor before making any big decisions.
Link Du Jour:
Spend Your Life Wisely – a column by Ross Levin – recently he penned a piece, “Think of your financial choices as a path to discovery.”
Two Minutes Du Jour 
One response to “Going for Broke in the Summer of Love”
Such a FUN and Creative guest post! LOVE it!!
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