What would change in your financial priorities if you treated every conversation with family and friends as if it might be your last together?
I know this question might feel a bit heavy at first, but it actually illuminates what brings the most lightness and joy to our lives—and how our money can better serve those priorities.
When my mom passed away in May, I found myself incredibly grateful for a decision I’d made two years earlier to take her on a birthday trip. That time together became precious beyond measure. But losing her also got me thinking about something equally important: all those small, intentional things we can weave into our everyday lives to deepen relationships and make our days richer.
You know those weekly family dinners that somehow get pushed aside when life gets crazy? Recently, a group of couples my husband and I know decided we wanted to deepen our friendships and add some fun to our lives by organizing “dinners for 8” each month. Now, if you’ve ever tried to get 8 people scheduled for anything, you know that can feel like herding cats! But instead of just talking about it and letting the idea fade away, we actually pulled out our calendars and made it happen. It’s such a simple commitment, but it’s already creating something we all genuinely look forward to.
When my husband and I married ten years ago, the best advice we received for blending our family was to prioritize trips together with our three children. At the time, it felt like a big financial commitment—choosing experiences over other things we could have bought. But now, a decade later, we’re absolutely reaping the rewards. Every single time we’re all together, everyone has memories to share as a family, even though we never all lived under the same roof due to the age span of our children.
I recently had a conversation with a client who, at almost 70 years old, has found her own beautiful way of answering this question. She makes it a point to stop by and check on neighbors who are 10 and 20 years older than herself—people who aren’t even family. She creates a real sense of community for them simply by showing up with a smile and genuine care. As I shared last month, this has given her such a greater sense of purpose in her retirement years.
Whether you’re 40 and juggling career demands with young children, or 70 and wondering how to make the most of your newfound freedom, the heart of the question stays the same: How are you choosing to invest your time and resources in the relationships that matter most to you?
Here’s my gentle challenge for you this month: Choose one small, intentional action that will deepen a relationship or build community in your life. Maybe it’s finally scheduling that monthly dinner with friends, calling a family member you’ve been meaning to reach, or simply knocking on a neighbor’s door to say hello. Whatever feels right for you, take that first step this week.
Because the truth is, we never know which conversation might be our last—but we absolutely can make sure each one counts.