Every January, many of us feel that spark of motivation, the fresh-start energy that encourages us to set new goals and dream a little bigger. We buy new planners, reset our priorities, and promise ourselves this will be the year we finally do the things we’ve been putting off.
This year, I’m challenging myself (and you) to take it one step further. Not just setting goals but asking: Why wait?
Recently, I started working on something I’ve never really done before: my bucket list. Now let me be clear—this is still a work in progress. Some items are well-formed dreams (like visiting all seven continents or learning Spanish). Others are half-baked ideas (I scribbled “Theatre what??” on the list, unsure what I really meant but knowing I want more culture in my life). And some are deeply personal, like organizing old family photos or attending a spiritual retreat.
But the real insight came after making the list. I realized that so many of these dreams were being subconsciously shelved for “someday”—more specifically, for retirement. I’d been unknowingly treating these passions like a reward I could access only after decades of work.
And that made me stop and think: why do we do that?
The Problem With “Someday”
I think we all know that life is unpredictable. Waiting for the “perfect” time to pursue joy, curiosity, or purpose is a risky strategy. Time is precious and many of the things we dream of doing “later” could actually be started now if only we gave ourselves permission.
The truth is, we often think about money wrongly when it comes to experiences. I recently read Bill Perkins’ book Die With Zero, and it shifted my perspective on this. Perkins explains that money represents our life energy, the hours we’ve traded for income. When we endlessly defer meaningful experiences, we’re essentially hoarding that life energy instead of converting it into what truly matters: memories.
Learning Spanish doesn’t require early retirement. Neither does taking a pottery class with my friend or planning an annual Airbnb trip with extended family. Even something as bold as riding a camel or ziplining through the rainforest can be built into our lives now, not postponed indefinitely.
Bucket lists should be about intentional living, recognizing that life is the sum of our experiences. And experiences create what Bill Perkins likes to call “memory dividends”—returns that compound in richness over time, becoming more valuable as we age.
Rethinking the Golden Years
Here’s something that might surprise you: the traditional concept of “golden years” might be backwards. The real golden years (when you have the health, energy, and enthusiasm to fully enjoy adventurous experiences) often occur earlier than we think.
Traveling to remote destinations becomes more challenging after age 75 due to health limitations, while before age 60, the primary barriers are usually money and time. There’s a time in life when money, time, and health align, making it easier to fully enjoy those meaningful experiences. The key is recognizing when that moment comes and acting on it while you can.
I’m not saying you should drain your savings account tomorrow, but I am encouraging you to think strategically about when different experiences make the most sense. Your personal interest rate for delaying experiences naturally rises with age, which means the “cost” of waiting increases over time.
For me, the bucket list has become a tool for clarifying what a meaningful life looks like today—not just in retirement. I’m shifting the question from “Can I afford to do this later?” to “What’s stopping me from doing this now?” And often the answer isn’t money; it’s habit, mindset, or inertia.
The business of life, after all, is the acquisition of memories. When we think about our wealth this way—as fuel for experiences rather than just numbers on a statement—we start making different choices about how and when to spend.
Creating Your Time Buckets
One exercise from Die With Zero that I’ve found particularly powerful is thinking about life in “time buckets,” groupings of years between now and the end of your life, each with its own list of experiences. When you ignore money as a factor initially, you’ll likely notice that most of your meaningful experiences cluster in the midlife years when you have the health and energy to enjoy them fully.
Instead of throwing caution to the wind, it’s what Perkins calls optimizing for lifetime fulfillment rather than just maximizing wealth. It’s recognizing that the utility of money often declines with age, while the value of experiences typically increases through those memory dividends.
A Mindset Shift
This mindset shift (from passive dreaming to active living) requires intentionality. But it also requires grace. You don’t have to do everything all at once or have your bucket list “figured out.” It can evolve over time. Mine certainly has!
What matters is starting, even if it’s one small step. Maybe that’s blocking off a weekend for a family trip, signing up for a beginner Spanish course, or volunteering with your kids for a cause you all care about. Maybe it’s just writing your list for the first time and letting it surprise you.
Because life doesn’t wait, but we so often do. We delay our joy, we delay our passions, we delay meaningful experiences under the assumption that we’ll have more time “later.”
But when we live intentionally—investing our time, energy, and resources in what truly matters—we’re building a life that feels aligned and fulfilling, right now, not just crossing things off a list.
My Invitation to You
So as you start this new year, I invite you to do what I’ve been doing: make your bucket list. I encourage you to dream out loud, be as silly or serious as you want, and write down the places you want to visit, the skills you want to learn, and the relationships you want to deepen.
Then take one small step toward making it happen. Don’t wait for the perfect moment—start now. Remember, you only get one ride through this life, so let’s make it count.
Here’s to living intentionally and making this year the one where your dreams begin to come to life.
If I could be helpful to you by sharing my journey, I’d be happy to talk about it. To get in touch, call (317) 469-2455, email ssteel@deerfieldfa.com, or use my online calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Living Your Bucket List Now
1. How can I start working on my bucket list now instead of waiting for retirement?
For those with significant financial resources, the focus should be on creating rich, memorable experiences that align with your values and passions. Whether it’s spending time with family in meaningful ways, exploring new cultural experiences, or engaging in projects that provide personal fulfillment, the goal is to integrate these pursuits into your life now. Prioritizing experiences that deepen your sense of purpose and connection can make the journey toward your dreams more enriching today, rather than waiting for a future “someday.”
2. What are “memory dividends” and how do they affect my life?
“Memory dividends” refer to the lasting value and fulfillment that come from meaningful experiences over time. These experiences compound in richness as you age, providing greater emotional returns than accumulating wealth or material possessions. By prioritizing experiences now, you can start building these dividends early on.
3. Why is it important to focus on living intentionally instead of waiting for “someday”?
Living intentionally means making decisions today that align with your values and bring you joy. Waiting for “someday” often leads to missed opportunities and regrets. By taking action now, you can start creating memories and experiences that bring meaning to your life, rather than postponing them for a future that may never come.
About Susie
Susie Steel is COO, Wealth Manager, and Senior Shareholder at Deerfield Financial Advisors, a fee-only financial advisory and wealth management firm with offices in Indianapolis and Chicago. With over three decades of experience in financial planning, Susie’s approach has always been rooted in a spirit of service, treating each client as an extension of her own family. She simplifies the complex for clients, with the goal of creating a calm, trusting, and nurturing environment. Her unwavering commitment to the principle of “To whom much is given, much will be required” serves as the driving force behind her dedication, diligence, and empathy.
Susie obtained a business management degree from Ball State University, holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation, and held the Accredited Estate Planner (AEP®) designation from the National Association of Estate Planners & Councils (NAEPC) from 2013 to 2018. Susie is actively involved with an extensive list of professional organizations, including NAPFA (The National Association of Personal Financial Advisors), a premier association of fee-only financial advisors, and has served on multiple boards, committees, and councils. Her consistent recognition as one of Indianapolis Monthly’s “Five Star Wealth Managers” for the past decade attests to her outstanding accomplishments (2009-2025).
Outside the professional realm, Susie has contributed to her community through numerous efforts including her involvement in the Financial Center First Credit Union (FCFCU), the Indianapolis Children’s Museum Planned Giving Council, the Kiwanis Club of Northwest Indianapolis, and Junior Achievement. She mentors women through the CFP® Board’s “WIN-to-WIN” program, embodies the spirit of Rotary Club of Carmel, advocates for Indiana Canine Assistant Network (ICAN), and actively serves on the board of the Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center (MRNC).
Susie and her husband, Kevin, reside in Carmel, Indiana, where they raised their three children. Outside the office, her focus centers around family, spirituality, and fostering meaningful connections. Embracing the concept of the body as a temple, her personal growth is nurtured through practices like strength training, yoga, and meditation. In her leisure time, she enjoys strolls with her dog, Lulu, and indulges in movies, podcasts, books, and the theater. To connect with Susie online, follow her on LinkedIn or Facebook.
