Welcome! Fearless Financial is now Bold Vision Financial

50 Pieces of Advice and Hopefully Wisdom Because Holy Crap I Just Turned 50!

by | Blog

Birthday cake decorated with blue frosting and number fifty candles-BoldVisionFinancial
  1. Comparison is the thief of joy.
  2. Be kind.
  3. Assume positive intent.
  4. Spend money on what matters to YOU.
  5. Every time you get a raise or financial windfall, put at least half of it towards debt reduction and/or savings.
  6. Show up!  You will almost never regret getting on/in a plane/train/bus/car to show up for someone important in your life when they are experiencing great joy or great sadness.
  7. Say please and thank you.
  8. Tip generously.
  9. Tell the person and their boss when they did an amazing job.
  10. Spend time outside.
  11. Stay curious.
  12. Life is much easier and more fun when you do what you say you will do when you say you are going to do it.
  13. If you can’t keep a promise, let the affected person know as soon as possible.  Apologize and see how you might be able to make it up to them.
  14. Have a strong moral compass.
  15. Take time to help make the world, or at least some corner of it, a better place.
  16. Be part of the solution whenever you can, not just someone who whines about the problem.
  17. Remember that the best things in life happen when you are excited and terrified at the same time.
  18. As author Susan Jeffers says: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.
  19. Investing and saving are not the same.  Saving is important, but it is INVESTING that will make the biggest impact on your future.
  20. When in doubt, talk to a friend or journal about it.  Make a decision and then sleep on it.  If it still feels good in the morning, that’s an excellent sign.
  21. Take care of your good shoes (polish them, have the heels repaired and replace the laces if applicable).
  22. Smile often.
  23. Laugh a lot.
  24. Find and regularly do a version of exercise that you enjoy.
  25. Wear sunscreen.
  26. Drink water (along with whatever else you like to drink).
  27. Everything in moderation.
  28. Make your bed.
  29. OK, this one might be controversial: toilet paper should always go FLAP OUT.
  30. Don’t be afraid to have a “pointy” point of view.
  31. If you don’t know the answer, it’s almost always best to just say so and then go figure out who does.
  32. Similarly, if you are confused, ask a question because, in all likelihood, someone else is confused, too and will be glad you did.
  33. Book vacations early when possible so you can enjoy all three phases:
    1. The planning and anticipation,
    2. The actual experience,
    3. The afterglow and memories.
  34. In the long run, credit cards are for points, not for financing what you can’t afford.
  35. Life is easier if you are habitually on time.
  36. Read things that fuel your imagination on a regular basis.
  37. Don’t send angry emails, posts, or texts.
  38. 99% of human behavior can be predicted when you remind yourself that people do what they are incentivized to do.
  39. If your heart is racing and you’re not doing cardio, count to ten before you speak.
  40. Life is better as a glass-half-full sort of gal.
  41. Work actively to be a great boss.
  42. When you want to solicit feedback and ideas from others, stay silent well past the point that feels comfortable for you.
  43. As the proverb says, a journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.  When you are stuck, pick a direction and go.  You can almost always change your destination.
  44. If you have long hair, always carry a hair tie.
  45. At a formal meal, the bread plate is on the left, and your drink is on the right.  If you forget, put your index finger and thumb together to make a circle while extending the rest of your fingers. The left land now looks like a “b” and the right like a “d.”  Voila!
  46. When in doubt, go to the game/play/concert and cheer loudly.
  47. At least once in your life, have a pet.
  48. Vacations and sleep are critical to success, not lazy.
  49. Speak up.
  50. Be yourself.