We’ve almost made it through January, thank goodness! It’s that long, quiet month after the holidays when the festive buzz has faded and we’re finally settling into a new calendar year. January is a natural time to pause, take stock, and reflect on where we’ve been, where we’re headed, and (most importantly) how we spend the limited time we have.

Even though winter days can feel slow, the years really do fly by. The start of a new year is a gentle reminder that time waits for no one, and it’s worth thinking about how we want to use ours.

What is Wealth, Really?

A lot of people think of wealth as just the amount of money they have. The problem with that way of thinking is it can trap us into spending our most precious resource - time - chasing more cash.

Money is important, of course, but it’s nothing compared to the value of the time we can spend with it. True wealth isn’t just about accumulating money - it’s about having the freedom to choose how you live, and the ability to spend your time on the experiences that really matter to you. If the past years have forced you to spend your time differently, you’ve probably noticed just how precious it is, and how easy it can be to let it slip away.

Thinking in Seasons

One way to make time feel real is to think in terms of seasons or experiences:

• How many books will you realistically still get to read?

• How many holidays with family or friends are ahead?

• How many winters, springs, summers, and autumns will you truly enjoy in good health?

We rarely pause to consider these things while caught up in day-to-day life, but January offers a moment to reflect and reset.

There’s Enough Time

The good news? While time is limited, there is enough of it to live a meaningful, fulfilling life if we’re intentional about how we use it. As the Roman philosopher Seneca said:

“It is not that we have a short space of time, but that we waste much of it. Life is long enough, and it has been given in sufficiently generous measure to allow the accomplishment of the very greatest things if the whole of it is well invested.”

This isn’t just philosophical, it’s practical. When we plan our finances, it’s worth thinking not only about how we invest our money, but also about how we invest our time, energy, and talents.

Making the Connection

At the start of this new year, it’s the perfect moment to align your money with the life you want to live. Your money should work for you - supporting what matters most, bringing joy, and making the experiences you care about possible. It’s not just about the numbers on a balance sheet; at the end of the day, it’s about living the life you want. It’s about spending your time on what really matters, savouring the seasons ahead, and making every year count. 🩷