Where did that year go? #053-054

Time. It flies. What's next?

I started 1000Weeks a year ago. A weekly blog chronicling my life from age 60. An idea inspired by Oliver Burkeman’s bestseller “4,000 Weeks - Time Management for Mortals”.

His premise - on average, we live to age 80 or 4,000 weeks, give or take. Reading this as I approached my 60^th birthday, 3,000 weeks in Oliver’s parlance, was sobering:

“Bloody hell, just 1,000 weeks left for me”.

And with that realization the project was born. My intention was to write about Money, Life and Time. With no clear path to what it could be, if I’d meet my self-imposed weekly discipline¹ or if anyone would read it.

It turns out I’ve written less about money matters than I expected. Instead I’ve written about what’s on my mind, where I’ve been or what I’ve observed: Life, Time with just a hint of Money.

The data

It’s been fascinating to notice which blogs seem to resonate with you. Different people seem to respond to different topics. Regardless, it’s clear human stories land well.

“They”² say it’s all about having a catchy title. I’m sure that’s true however, I have an aversion to sensationalised headlines, albeit that didn’t harm Freddie Starr…

Substack helpfully gives me loads of data on all sorts of things.

Over the year I’m chuffed to say I’ve gathered 335 subscribers and a number of “followers”. If you’re reading this it’s likely you’re one of them, for which I’m super grateful. If you’re not, perhaps you would consider subscribing? Thank you.

60% of subscribers actually open the emails and read my blog which I’m told is pretty good.

It also tells me what resonated most with you. My top three blogs judged on your engagement (likes, comments and open rates) are:

1. And just like that #041

2. £1,400 – revelations of a reluctant shopper #049

3. How to live forever #011

Some of you lovely lot leave me likes and comments on Substack or Linked In. Some of you email me direct. Please don’t stop. It really is a thrill to hear from you.

Where next?

A year on and I’m pondering where I go next.

The more I speak to “normal” people (code for those not involved in financial services) I realise that money and investments remain a mystery to many. And I am doing little to help this.

Often shrouded in jargon and power plays by those with “the knowledge”, money is rarely spoken about in public. Or between life partners - well not in any depth. Let alone up or down the generations. And don’t get me started on death and the lack of conversations or preparation for this inevitable event.

Which has left me pondering the following questions:

• Do I carry on with my random weekly postings reflecting what’s on my mind?

  OR

• Do I use my years of experience as a Chartered Financial Planner and business owner to write more about money and money related matters ?

The former a salve to myself but to you my friend, perhaps a tad random.

The latter perhaps helpful to '“normal people” approaching or transitioning to their next chapter as well as those who advise them³. A stage which some call retirement ;-)

I’m thinking real life stories about money and wellbeing. Concerns I’ve seen clients grapple with, observed in friends and family or experienced myself. Transition success stories. Maybe people doing funky things. Practical hints and tips. Perhaps building into a User’s Manual, or How To guide to move through this precious phase of life.

You

As ever, I am interested in you and your thoughts. What would you find helpful to hear more about or understand? What would keep you reading my weekly missive? What would you like to learn more about? What stories might you share?

Pour yourself a cuppa, grab a biccie and drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you.

Or, excitingly, I’ve found that Substack provide a poll! So please indicate your thoughts in the poll below if easier than leaving a comment.

Until next week my friends,

And remember, you’re never going to be any younger than you are today, so what are you waiting for?

Ruth x

Oh, and before you go, if you enjoy my words, it’d be lovely if you choose to like, share, subscribe or comment - buttons 👇🏼thank you

1. Mostly achieved and I’m learning to be more forgiving of myself if I miss it, like last week thanks to a weird bug, which was nice :-)

2. They = marketing experts

3. That’s you, my lovely financial planner friends.