BrainFit Blog: Memories vs. Money
Hello, BrainFit Friends! Not long ago, I met a 93-year-old gentleman at one of my BrainFit sessions with bright eyes and a calm, steady voice. After the session we chatted for a few minutes about life and retirement. He didn’t quote a financial book or talk about market returns. Instead, he offered a simple question that lingered long after our conversation ended:
“What good is it to work yourself to death planning for retirement, only to lose your memory or your health once you finally get there?”
That one sentence says more about life than a stack of retirement statements ever could.
The Trade We Don’t Realize We’re Making
Many of us grow up believing the same story:
Work hard. Save aggressively. Delay joy.
Then—someday—you’ll live comfortably.
And to be clear, planning matters. Saving matters. Responsibility matters.
But somewhere along the way, many people accidentally trade today’s memories for tomorrow’s money.
The problem? Tomorrow isn’t guaranteed.
At BrainFit, we talk a lot about brain health, memory, and quality of life. And here’s the truth that often gets overlooked:
Memories are not made in the future. They are formed now.
Your Brain Doesn’t Remember “Someday”
The brain thrives on:
Novel experiences
Emotional connection
Meaningful moments
Laughter, curiosity, and presence
Those things don’t magically appear at retirement. In fact, postponing joy can quietly weaken the very brain you’re working so hard to protect.
The irony is heartbreaking: some people finally retire with time and money—but limited health, fading memory, or diminished energy to enjoy either.
Living Well Is a Daily Practice, Not a Retirement Plan
That 93-year-old gentleman didn’t talk about regret. He talked about perspective. And wisdom often sounds surprisingly simple.
Here are a few gentle, practical reminders I came up with for truly living now:
1. Collect Moments, Not Just Milestones
Big trips and major achievements are wonderful—but daily moments matter more.
A slow morning coffee
A phone call with an old friend
Watching a sunset instead of scrolling past it
These moments strengthen memory and emotional well-being. They’re small deposits into your brain’s “meaning account.”
2. Use Your Time Like It’s Valuable—Because It Is
Money can be earned back. Time cannot.
Ask yourself occasionally:
Is how I’m spending today worth remembering?
That question alone can change how you approach your hours.
3. Don’t Delay Joy Until “Later”
Later is not a destination—it’s an idea.
Joy doesn’t need permission or perfect timing. It needs attention.
Laugh more now. Travel when you can. Start the hobby before you feel “ready.”
Your brain responds to joy immediately, not eventually.
4. Protect Your Health Like It’s Your Greatest Wealth
Without health, money becomes a tool you can’t use.
Move your body. Rest your mind. Reduce stress where possible.
Brain health is not just about longevity—it’s about clarity, connection, and presence.
5. Be Where Your Feet Are
One of the biggest memory thieves is constant distraction.
Multitasking steals moments before they can become memories.
Presence strengthens attention—and attention is the gateway to memory.
A Gentle Reframe
What if retirement wasn’t the start of living—but simply a continuation of a life already well lived?
What if instead of saying,
“I’ll enjoy life when things slow down,”
we said,
“I’ll slow down enough to enjoy life now”?
My 93-year-old new friend gave me some important things to think about when he imparted his wisdom. He had lived long enough to know what truly lasts—and it wasn’t numbers on a statement.
Final BrainFit Thought
Money can provide comfort.
But memories provide meaning.
And the brain remembers meaning far longer than money.
So plan wisely. Save responsibly.
But don’t wait to live.
Because the richest moments in life are rarely the most expensive ones—and they’re happening right now.
Until next time, stay sharp, stay smart, and stay BrainFit!
-BrainFit Jim