If you could ask me, your 80 year old self, any questions, what they would be? Would you want to know what’s become of the world? How all the political and economic turmoil turned out? Or would you want to know what your investment returns were in any one year?

Chances are it would be none of these because you would want to know if your family were doing well, if you finally managed that road trip along Route 66, or saw how your granddaughter looked on her wedding day.

So my question to you, my younger self, is; why are you focussing on what is out of your control? I’d ask what you can do right now to make the rest of your life really count? So, if you want my advice;

Don’t work for so long. I wish I hadn’t been so concerned to work those few extra years to save more because I didn’t really need to. I should have seized the day and fulfilled some of those life-long dreams while I still had the chance…

Dare to dream bigger. I’d ask whether it’s worth taking more risks in all aspects of life. While I know this sounds scary when you’re talking about things like your retirement nest egg but the old adage of ‘no risk no reward’ is also often true.

Look out for your family. It’s the only one you have so take the time to get sound financial advice to make sure you ‘Pass it on.’ Then find contentment knowing that they will be able to live out their dreams because of you.

Finally, I’d tell you to ENJOY IT. ALL OF IT. You have time! Stop worrying so much and take a look around. You will miss it if you are stressing over the small stuff. Let others do the work for you so you can spend time with the people you love whilst doing things you love doing.

Life is a gift – so cherish every moment!

Me.