By Kelley Muhsemann
Communications and Marketing Manager
Have you been spending wisely? Although typically when discussing “spending” with our clients, we are referring to money, it can be just as important and valuable to think about how you spend your time. With so many working from home, going out less, and enjoying more “down time” due to the pandemic, now is the perfect opportunity to consider the following ideas for optimizing one of your most valuable assets – your time.
Making Time.
Time is the one thing we all wish we had more of, and the one thing that cannot be retrieved once it’s gone. It can be difficult to articulate what your future will look like, and typically people have trouble thinking a few months ahead, let alone several years. But during times of chaos and crisis, we are finding that people can’t help but think about the brighter days to come. Making time to contemplate your future and the goals you want to achieve is the first step towards achieving those goals.
It is also important to discuss your loved one’s goals and what they envision for their future. This can ensure that your objectives are aligned and plausible. When you all have a specific destination in mind, mapping the route becomes much easier.
Saving Time.
Just as you might hire a landscaper so that you don’t have to spend hours maintaining your property, or perhaps a housekeeper so your weekends aren’t spent vacuuming and scrubbing, you can hire someone to review your finances and help you articulate and analyze your goals. This action will help you safeguard your future without wasting time researching and implementing. Be sure to search for a fee-only, fiduciary financial advisor, who adheres to the five fiduciary principles. It’s important to ask the right questions and to choose a professional that is a good fit for your unique needs.
You can also save yourself and your family time by keeping your financial information organized. Start by downloading our free Financial and Estate Planning Organizer. Once the organizer is completed, it can be a helpful tool for remembering usernames and passwords, professional contact information, and the location of important documents. This can save you the time of having to search for these details in various places. It can also help direct your family and save them time in the future when they might need to obtain your financial information.
Directing Time.
Just as you might budget money for a big purchase, future goals, or even daily expenses, budgeting your time can help ensure that you don’t waste it. Think of your time as a coveted possession that should mostly be used doing the things you really want with the people you want. If you are unhappy in your career, personal life, or family life, it can be helpful to decipher where you want to spend less time, so you can allot more of it doing what you truly enjoy.
You can also perform a “time audit” by writing down everything you accomplish in one day, one week, or even one month, and reviewing it to see if it aligns with your future goals. Consider setting a time limit on certain tasks, eliminating distractions, and delegating.
Time is going to pass whether you use it wisely or not. Consider protecting it just as you would your money, family, or other valuables. If any of the above thoughts about time triggered an emotional reaction or specific feeling, reach out and start a conversation with our team. We would be happy to speak with you about your future goals and how to achieve them.
R.W. Rogé & Company, Inc. helps clients Plan, Achieve, and Live the life they want. To learn more about how we do this, click here. To discuss your financial future with a knowledgeable Senior Wealth Advisor, contact us at 631.218.0077 or at info@rwroge.com for a complimentary consultation.
