thevicenarian.com

3 critical investments for the vicenarian

Posted by Tad Johnson - Feb 13th, 2008 at 19:02

If you’re reading thevicenarian.com, chances are you’re interested in investing. Stocks, bonds, mutual funds, commodities, ETFs, REITs : there’s no shortage of investment choices for your money. Here are three critical investments that should be at the forefront of any vicenarian’s mind:

1) Education. In today’s global economy, this is one of the best investments you can make. A college degree opens a world of opportunities for growing your mind, growing your experiences, and growing your pocketbook. The four (or more) years spent at an institution of higher prepare you for a lifetime of interesting challenges. A degree is expensive, but it may be the best debt you ever incur. There is simply no alternative.

2) Health. The habits and routine you develop as a vicenarian direct the way you will live your life in the future. During this decade of your life, as your youthful metabolism starts to slow and you spend your 9-5 hours behind a desk, you must invest in your health. Fortunately, this doesn’t necessarily mean a lot of money. A private gym membership may cost $30/month, but there alternatives. A pair of running shoes generally cost $60-90 and can easily last a year or more. Many employers will subsidize their employee’s gym membership or offer a facility on-site. Put the time (and work) in now and you’ll establish a strong base of good health that will sustain you later in life.

3) Career. Many of you are in the first job you’d call a career. This is the time in your career when employers are looking to distinguish the leaders from the workers. A leader takes on new challenges, delivers beyond expectations, and is continually looking for opportunities for personal and professional growth. A worker clocks in the hours every day, complains about problems at work (but doesn’t try to fix them) and is satisfied with an adequate performance review. Which are you?