I was in Calgary recently, and like any good trip back to a familiar place, it turned into more than just a visit—it became a bit of a time warp.
I found myself standing outside my old apartment building, the one I lived in over 30 years ago. It’s still there, though the neighborhood around it has changed dramatically. What used to be a quiet stretch with a corner store and a greasy spoon is now buzzing with cafés, high-rises, and bike lanes. The city’s grown up. And so have I.
Walking those streets again brought back a flood of memories—early mornings rushing to work, late nights figuring out how to make rent, and the first time I actually sat down to make a budget. Back then, financial planning was pretty basic: don’t spend more than you make and hope nothing breaks. But even that simple mindset laid the groundwork for everything that came after.
Seeing how much Calgary has evolved made me think about how our financial lives change too. Just like the city, our money habits, goals, and tools shift over time. What worked in your 20s probably doesn’t cut it in your 50s. And that’s okay—what matters is that you keep checking in, adjusting, and planning ahead.
This trip reminded me that financial planning isn’t just about spreadsheets and retirement accounts. It’s about being intentional with your life—where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you want to go. It’s about building something that lasts, even if it starts with a tiny apartment and a hand-me-down couch.
So, if it’s been a while since you looked at your financial plan, maybe take a moment. Think about how far you’ve come. And then ask yourself: what’s next?
Remember how far you’ve come, not how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be.” —Rick Warren
