Today is an exciting day for those of us living in northern climates. We’re all anxiously waiting for Punxsutawney Phil to stick his head out of hiding and declare our prospects for an early spring. Granted, it’s been a fairly mild winter so far, but I think we can all agree that spring is always welcome to show up ahead of schedule. Despite the fact that we’re all educated enough to know that Phil isn’t any more likely to make an accurate prediction than flipping a quarter in the air, we still hold true to this tradition.
It’s comforting to have some sort of plan for the future weather, even if our basis for belief is less than scientific…just like it’s comfortable to have a plan for our future selves, whether that involves our relationships, our careers, or our retirement.
Unless you live in Punxsutawny, PA, I don’t think it’s likely you’re actually waiting for the groundhog to look for his shadow. Probably you’ll throw the question out at work or when you get home this evening, “Did he see his shadow?” and hope for a definite no. Here in Marion, we won’t have any big celebrations or really mark the day in any fashion beyond this question. Still, it’s a powerful tradition that has so many people asking the same question, and I wonder what a difference it would make if we earmarked certain days for other kinds of questions.
It sometimes seems like we commit to big decisions or behaviors with the same kind of belief that we place in Phil to predict the weather. Are you counting on the “retirement groundhog” to let you know when to expect to retire or when and how much to start saving? I hope not, but chances are you just might be. A lot of Americans are focused on saving up an emergency fund, paying down debt, and saving for a house. Those are all worthy goals, and that’s not to say that people aren’t concerned with saving for retirement—it’s just that a lot of us tend to push it backwards on our priority list. Take my word for it, the years fly by. Don’t wait on your retirement groundhog to start planning your future beyond your working life.
I know I’ll be hoping that Phil doesn’t spot his shadow today. And despite common sense, I’ll be effected by the results of his journey outside his borrow this afternoon. It’s kind of fun to bet on a groundhog when it comes to the weather. Thankfully, you can be more proactive when it comes to other areas of your life, your health, your family, and your finances. If you’re hiding in your own burrow because you know that you’re not prepared for retirement or other financial issues, don’t be scared of your shadow. Make an appointment with a financial counselor and face the numbers. When it comes to your cash flow, you definitely don’t want it left up to chance…or a groundhog.