We’re Getting Older

I hate to spoil Ethan Boatner’s “A Word In Edgewise” column for this issue, but I’m going to, just a little bit. He opens with a reminder that, whether we like it or not, we’ve been aging our entire lives.

Believe it or not, I am a few years younger than Ethan. In addition to being my elder, he’s also been an incredible source of wisdom, both personal and professional, since I met him. So when he imparts advice about anything, and particularly about aging, where his experience vastly surpasses mine, I’m inclined to listen. 

So, when his column for the “Aging Well” issue began with a reminder to accept the reality of aging rather than refuse to acknowledge it, my ears (or eyes, since I was reading?) perked up. “What should I be doing now to better prepare myself for the rest of my life?” I thought.

The broad strokes are relatively simple. Take care of your body, your mind and your finances. The details, and executing them, are the trickier part. 

However, don’t let that discourage you from starting to take them seriously. In fact, it’s all the more reason to do so. It’s going to take some time, and some experimentation, to learn how to do things the right way. If you lose a chunk of your retirement money on crypto, or if the scale moves a few pounds in the wrong direction, you can make that money back or get back into your size 32 jeans. If you wait to start trying, you can’t get the time back that has already passed. 

In this issue, we have some expert advice on how to manage both your body and bank account to maximize your later years. No matter how you plan to prepare yourself, though, the important thing is to start as soon as possible. Every little thing counts.