This time of year, many of us take time to reflect on the past year and set our sights on the next. A lot of us this past year faced some pretty tough challenges — not only in terms of money, but also in matters of health, family and work. Sometimes I light-heartedly admonish my clients to go while they're still young and good-looking, even when I know they're in their 80s. I usually get a smile or a grumble in response, but my point is that nothing puts an extra bounce in your step or a shine on your day like planning your next vacation.
Just that vision of your ideal spot — whether it's a beach in Tahiti, strolling the streets of Paris, driving through the hills of Tuscany or running with the bulls in Pamplona — can be enough to get you through some tough times. Don't worry if you don't have the money now. Call for the brochures, get out your calendar, put some pictures up on the fridge, sign up for a language class, read books about where you want to go, buy a map, get a guidebook — and best of all, call your travel agent.
Saving money is easier when you have something to save up for. So is good health: just imagining yourself on the beach in your bathing suit can be reason enough to get in shape! Some day this short holiday on earth will be over, and you won't be wishing you'd spent more time in the office. So until then — dream, explore, discover, and as the French say, "Make your dreams eat your life before life eats your dreams." Happy Holidays, Mark
