Every year around tax time, I’m
forced to reevaluate my fiscal fitness.
How am I doing! Am I putting enough away for retirement? Can I put more away for the children’s
college expenses? Are my investments
paying off? What are my
priorities? Am I reaching my goals?
Think for a moment. What is your most important investment? Is it the 401K at work? The family farm? Perhaps it’s our children’s education? I’d
suggest our most important investment is our health.
On a regular basis I’m reminded of
just how fast our lives can change. What
would you do if you suddenly could no longer work in your current line of
employment? If you think that poor
performing mutual fund was a drain, just think of the money you would lose if
your pay check suddenly stopped because of an accident or illness!
Let’s
consider our health investment, our IPFA (Individual Physical Fitness Account)
if I may. Are we making regular
contributions? Regular exercise is truly interest compounded. Not only do we feel better now, it pays large
future dividends in lower blood pressure, decreased weight, fewer heart attacks
and strokes, less diabetes and less arthritis.
Daily deposits of good food choices along with the safe habits of seat
belts, helmets and life jackets diversifies our IPFA and helps protect us from
the market down-turns of accidents and illness.
I hope when we consider our financial
plans our health leads the list of economic priorities. Are we as vigilant in reviewing or quarterly
or annual “health statements” as we are our bank statements and portfolios? Do we check our weight and blood pressure
regularly? Have we had recommended
health screenings? Let’s never forget
the close relationship of our physical and fiscal fitness!
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| East side of Thousand Lake in the spring |
