Future Me Loves Me
I highlighted the Beths in T.G.I.F. Friday Volume 92, They’re a really cool rock band from New Zealand who have been riding a nice high for the past few years.
I was listening to them on a run recently and two of their songs resonated in a financial independence sort of way.
Future Me Loves Me
One of my favorite Beths songs is called “Future Me Hates Me” which is off their album of the same name from 2018.
Future heartbreak, future headachesWide-eyed nights late lying awakeWith future cold shakes from stupid mistakesFuture me hates me for, hates me for
Listening to it on my run I thought “I never want current me to be hated by future me. So act accordingly. And oh yeah, I absolutely LOVE the me from 10, 20, and 30 years ago because that me saved money and invested wisely and set me up for the rich, wonderful, and financially secure life I have now.”
So back when I started investing in mutual funds in the 1990’s and especially in times like the 2008 crash when I didn’t sell any stocks I should have been singing “Future Me Loves Me” out loud.
Hell, it could’ve been “future me owes me some beers”. But I don’t even drink now, turns out future me wound up being a different person in many ways. So being that I have a ton of life left one of my goals is to make sure future me always loves current me.
I’m sure future me will never have to worry about money at least. Or am I?
Future Me
Just Shy Of Sure
Another song of theirs I really like is “Just Shy Of Sure” from their 2020 album Jump Rope Gazers. This came on during my run and I just contemplated on that phrase and how it resonates with me when it comes to the future.
Do I have enough money to last into my 80’s, 90’s, and possibly beyond? I’m usually quite sure I do, but there’s a dark and vocal part of my catastrophe-prone mind that’s clearly just shy of sure.
And that unwelcome voice never let’s me enjoy life too long without loudly heckling me from the sidelines. I suppose I can never silence the doubting part of my mind. There will always be a not-zero chance the world could blow up or I could lose everything from some unknown cataclysm.
My brain has factory installed self-preservation software with very limited options to change settings.
I guess in the end being just shy of sure keeps life interesting.
i wonder if anyone would be as content with today’s relatively boring life if we hadn’t gone crazy and torn things up 20-30 years ago. for me it makes the safe life (relative to those days) livable because i have been there and done that and don’t have to worry about fear of missing out.
your money situation will be fine.
Great point dude, we both grabbed life by the horns and rode wild back in the day, for good or for bad. But better to get that stuff outta the system when you’re young, there’s nothing more depressing than seeing a dude in his late 50’s partying like a college student. And thx for the vote of confidence
Thanks for another thoughtful and succinct post.
This is so true of so many mental habits – many of which you just need to learn to cohabitate with –
“My brain has factory installed self-preservation software with very limited options to change settings.”
Another good success/survival habit is your demonstrated ability to adapt and learn and change, so that should help quiet the part of your brain worrying about the next doomsday scenario.
I always figure that if you do the prep and contingency planning for the probable outcomes, you can then use your attention and resources in dealing with the improbable, without distraction
I did a post about the ability to adapt, and I agree, I think I’m pretty good at it, relatively. And focusing on the probable is what I know I should do most, I just need to shut parts of my brain off. Thanks for the great comment and kudos!
At this point in your life, I don’t think money is your problem as Freddy mentioned above in the comments. Your are financially secure. The issue will be health and will you be able to ride, hike, etc 20 years from now. Basically, how will your quality of life be as you age.
Can you do the same things as you do now as you age? If not, do you have other activities you can do to replace the activities you can’t do anymore due to age, injuries, health, etc?
We are retiring in less than two months at 55 and 52. The biggest drive for retiring early, we want to enjoy travel, sports, activities now because 20 years from now, who knows how will we be? I see a lot of older people living life to the fullest and not slowing down. I also see others who slowed down years ago due to injuries, health, etc.
Well I’ve been hitting the health thing super hard for the past 15 years, and as a regular reader I’m sure you’ve tired of some of my fitness/cycling/health posts. I’m doing everything I can, and frankly I enjoy it. It’s my main focus in life and I have no qualms about that. Early congrats to you on the retirement, sounds like you’ve got some big plans!
Ha ha, I have enjoyed your fitness/cycling/health posts. Those posts encourage me to try to do more and try different things for fitness.
We all come from different backgrounds and when you find the sweet spot for staying healthy, ride it. My wife and I are always trying to stay healthy and active with all the things I do. I am just glad my wife is on board with the activities. It helps that we can encourage each other to do activities when you just don’t feel up to it.
Thanks to the retirement wishes. You helped us along our journey with your posts, thank you.
Stoked to hear my ramblings have helped you!!
Beths? Never heard of them, but gotta admit after listening to your links I love their sound. Great lyrics, too. I always enjoy how you find a way to apply unique lyrics to life….
Thanks Fritz, you should check out their albums in full, if you like those 2 songs you’ll like the records!
A great way of putting it Dave!
Thanks Matt!
Dave! If you figure out how to shrink the “Just Shy of Sure’s” please pass along… this one is a struggle for me…. I can give you 10 ways things can go wrong for every one I think is how things can go right!!! Even if things go “average” no worries….
Oh if I crack the code there will definitely be a blog post or two about it. My advice is to not hold your breath tho 🙂
I love The Beths. Didn’t know anyone else knew they existed!
They’re really great, and I highlighted them in an older TGIF Friday. Punchy power-pop-rock with great lyrics, what else do you need