Your Greatest Asset: You

In June's issue of Money magazine they comment that your greatest financial asset is you. I say it a bit differently as I believe that your career is your greatest financial asset. But we're really saying the same thing: your earning power is the greatest financial asset you have. Lose it, and your finances will soon become a wreck (unless you're really wealthy or have great insurance.)

Money deals with the relationship between health and wealth in depth in the June issue and I'll be commenting on several of their pieces over the next few days. For today, here are three sentences from their editor that summarizes their thoughts:

Boomers who developed health problems built wealth at less than half the rate of their healthy peers. Want to double the size of your portfolio? Exercise, cut out fats and don't smoke.

A few thoughts on this from me:

1. I've detailed what exercising has done for me and I'll keep at it as long as I can.

2. Here are similar lists on how to live longer and how to extend your life.

3. Good review here: your health is more important than money.

4. In addition to your body, you want to keep your mind sharp.

5. Here's a suggestion that saves you money, makes you money and keeps you in shape.

6. Cutting out those vices will improve your health AND save you money.

Comments

[Dy]

My father was able to retire at the age of 42. He told me he had a networth of 3 million dollars and that was ten years ago. At the time of retirement, he said he was feeling run down and a doctors visit confirmed that. He had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, overweight, and gull stones. He immediately went on an exercise regiment and today he as vibrant as ever. He started his own business and is working harder than the years before retirement.

I can't endorse enough how much you need to take care of yourself!

[John Wilks]

I agree. Even a brisk walk in the bark every few days does wonders.

[Rabbit]

FMF,
I know that I am sending this email on the "Your Greatest Asset: You" message but I have a question. The question is that mid 40's and on are your greatest investment growing time or years. Do you know of any statistics that state how much of your total retirement is usually invested in that time frame. I am 44 and am doing very well from what I can tell but it would be interesting for me to have an idea of how much I could figure would be saved in these later years. Can you shed any light on this question? It would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

[m]

This is great advice and as someone who does have a chronic illness, I can confidently say that you are absolutely right about this. Sadly, though, I believe there is not enough support for those who are ill and can't rely on their greatest asset, themselves, to support themselves or better their financial situation. The traditional tips, such as increasing your income, working more, spending less don't always work if your ability to work is limited or restricted, if you became ill at a young age before having the chance to save much or buy a home, and if your medical costs, which are essential, cannot be lowered.

Doing all the preventative care you recommend is very important for many reasons, but it's also important to note that many conditions and illnesses cannot be prevented and do not respond to such measures. Not illness has a lack of self care component to it. Often those with the healthiest habits can become severely ill. My condition, for example, is like that. I don't smoke, have been a vegetarian for about 15 years, eat healthily at home, maintain a good weight, exercise (less now that I'm sick but exercised a lot before that), etc., yet these things have no effect on the condition I have.

In fact I've had the condition developing in my body since I was a child. For people like me who can't rely on our ability to earn much because of our health, finances are even more of a challenge and taking care of ourselves often does not bring the desired relief or prevention. I advise your readers to make sure they have a strong disability plan and savings and to not think that they might be immune from chronic or disabling illness because of their apparent good health and healthy habits.

Being financially prepared and insured is, in my opinion, the most important thing one can do to be prepared in case illness or injury strikes. It may be an obvious tip but I think it's important enough to warrant a reminder.

[FMF]

Rabbit --

No, I don't know of any statistiacs other than to say your 40's and 50's are your prime earning years, so it goes along that they should be your prime savings years too.

My advice is to set your own retirement number, save for it, and forget what others are doing or what they average (it's likely that they aren't saving enough anyway.)