Written by Alex Seleznev, MBA, CFP®, CFA | Mar 27, 2024
Meeting someone about to become a centenarian is quite rare. For those of you who are not familiar with the term, this refers to someone who is about to celebrate their 100th birthday! In my line of work, meeting someone in this age group who's fully active and engaged is even rarer, but it does happen.
Let me tell you about Sally (a pseudonym to maintain her confidentiality), our very first client who's about to become a centenarian. She's an inspiration to many. Sally has a big family - three children, three step-children, eleven grandchildren, and a whopping thirty-four great-grandchildren! Can you imagine?
Despite her age, Sally's always on the move. Here's a glimpse into her weekly routine:
On Mondays, she goes to exercise classes at the Holiday Park Senior Center in Silver Spring at 11 am, then heads to Leisure World for a game of Mahjong.
Tuesdays are her free days to relax, catch up on Facebook, and make new connections. She really enjoys Facebook, maybe even a bit too much! One interesting thing about Sally is her love for artificial intelligence. She knows a lot about it and is quite passionate!
Wednesdays at 1 pm, she plays Mahjong with twelve residents in her condo building. It's a fun social gathering.
Thursdays are like Mondays - more exercise classes and mastering Mahjong.
Fridays are all about self-care with hair, nail, and other personal appointments. Sally still drives, which makes things easier, but she knows her driving days are limited and she's okay with that.
Sally is very close to her son, Rick, who's a young retiree. They spend a lot of time together, and their bond is a testament to positive aging and retirement.
She never forgets birthdays, sending cards and checks to all her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. That's a lot of cards and checks every year!
During our first financial planning meeting, I asked Sally about her secrets to a long and happy life. Surprisingly, she didn't mention any special foods or supplements. For her, it's about regular healthy eating and staying away from bad habits.
What really keeps Sally going is her active schedule. It gives her a reason to wake up every morning, make new friends, and enjoy life.
And you know what? She's right - age is just a number. With a strong support network, a loving family, and something to look forward to each day, you can thrive at any age!