Investing In What Is

[Jenifer Madson]

I was featured in a chat room discussion on finances, and a woman asked me what to do about saving for college, for children already in their early teens.

I asked her how their grades were. “Slightly above average,” she said. Based on something I heard at a financial seminar, I asked her if paying to tutor her children now would be a better strategy than saving for a college education for which they might not qualify. By investing in what is - improving their current academic performance - more choices would be possible for future education, including how to fund it.

Investing in what is means improving today's reality at the source of the issue while still securing your future.

For example, if you're stuck professionally, rather than getting another college degree, maybe it's time to invest in becoming a better leader.

Trying to be a better golfer through new equipment? If your swing is off, maybe the money's better spent on a lesson.

Take A Minute:
What are you investing in for the future that could use your attention today?

Make A Minute:
Find one way to invest in yourself today that would improve your future.
And as for retirement planning, I'm all for it of course, but if you're waiting till retirement to travel or play, you'll probably be too tired to do it when the time comes. Invest in a little fun today as well as the recreation in your future.