SMART MONEY: Who are all these old people?

By Brad Brain

This weekend is my 40th high school reunion. It should be fun, but also interesting.

I have not stayed in touch with many classmates. After all, social media wasn’t invented until decades after we set out on our own journeys. We grew up in an age of compact discs, not smart phones.

I am not sure exactly what to expect. But one thing that I am expecting, rightly or wrongly, is that there will be a lot of old people there.

Now, to be clear, these potential old people are all my high school classmates. And, as for me, my bald head is not purely a fashion choice.

On that sunny June day back in 1985, in that restless group of two hundred 18-year-old kids with big dreams, I doubt anyone was thinking about aging. Yet, it happened anyway. Here we are in 2025.

The calendar shows no mercy. Like it or not, the future is inevitable. Forty years from now, you too will be 40 years older.

The question is, what are you going to do in those 40 years to make your life the life that you want?

Here’s some things to consider.

Time flies—and so does compound interest

When you’re young, you think you’ve got all the time in the world. But one of the best gifts you can give your future self is to start saving early. Even small amounts add up over time thanks to the magic of compounding. It’s not just about stashing money away, either. It’s about putting it to work.

Money is like a garden. If you plant it and care for it, it grows. But if you ignore it, don’t be surprised when you end up with weeds.

Life will throw you curveballs

Jobs change. Markets change. Relationships change. Health changes. Over the last four decades, I’ve seen people win big and lose big. The one thing that makes the difference is whether or not they had a plan.

A plan gives you a baseline. It helps you pivot when life throws the unexpected at you. You’re not scrambling to figure out what to do. You are adjusting course based on a bigger picture.

And, believe me, after 40 years there are a lot of adjustments.

Retirement is a real thing

At 18, retirement might as well be a fairy tale. But one day, if you’re lucky, you’ll get there. And when you do, you’ll want options. Do you want to stop working? Keep working part-time? Travel? Stay close to grandkids?

Whatever your vision is, you’ll need resources to get there. Retirement doesn’t just happen. It’s built, brick by brick, over a lifetime.

And here's the kicker: the earlier you start thinking about it, the easier it is.

Insurance isn’t just a line item

I’ve seen people skip insurance because it feels like a waste of money. Until something happens and it becomes the lifeline they wish they had. Life insurance, disability, critical illness. These aren’t sexy topics, but they matter.

The goal is to protect your future, even if it’s uncertain. And if you’ve ever had a friend face cancer or a car accident, you know how quickly everything can change.

Talk to your family about money

This one doesn’t get enough attention. But over the decades, I’ve seen families torn apart over misunderstandings, lack of planning, and silence.

Money doesn’t have to be a taboo subject. In fact, it shouldn’t be. Have the conversations now about wills, power of attorney, estate plans, even goals and values. You’ll save your family a lot of grief later.

Enjoy the ride, but keep your eyes on the road

Looking back, there are lots of things that I did right, but also lots of mistakes. That’s just life. Money isn’t about having the biggest pile. It’s about making your life richer.

So yes, enjoy your youth. Travel. Fall in love. Take chances. But also, take care of your future self.

Because one day, forty years will pass. You’ll walk into a high school gym, look around, and wonder where the time went.

And hopefully, if you’ve planned well, you’ll be smiling. Not just because of the memories, but because of the peace of mind you’ve earned along the way.

Brad Brain. CFP, R.F.P., CIM, TEP is a Certified Financial Planner in Fort St John, BC. This material is prepared for general circulation and may not reflect your individual financial circumstances. Brad can be reached at www.bradbrainfinancial.com.