Are We 'Helicopter Financing'?

Last month I was tossing and turning after learning about an experience my daughter was having on her flag football team. I had shown up to help out at her practices and, for the first time, I saw how she was being treated by her all-male teammates. These are third and fourth grade boys- kids I know to be kind on their own. But together, they banded against her: picking on, criticizing, and effectively shutting her out.

It was one of those moments that tears your heart wide open. I’m not proud of the words I wanted to shout at those boys. But I watched my daughter handle it with grace, and I’m grateful I saw it firsthand so we could make space to talk more about it at home.

When we did, it struck me that as parents, we pour enormous energy into imagining worst-case scenarios, like accidents, illness, and dangers we desperately want to shield our kids from. But we spend far less time preparing them for the more common struggles they will almost certainly face: exclusion, criticism, failure, and sometimes even being the one who hurts others. I caught myself wishing I could whisk her away to a friendlier team, but the truth is: she’s guaranteed to face versions of this again and again- as a child, and as an adult.

And that truth made me realize that we do the exact same thing with our finances.

We burn mental energy on unlikely catastrophes

What if the stock market collapses and never recovers? 😱

What if housing prices crash next month and never bounce back? 🙅‍♀️

What if I lose every source of income for years? 🆘

Is it possible? Sure. But the odds are about as good as winning the Powerball several times.

This is what's far more likely

The stock market appreciates over time. 📈

Housing values trend upward over time. 🏘️

Your 401(k), IRA, HSA, and 529 accounts grow with steady contributions. 💸

Your next month of spending will look a lot like the last 12 months. 💳

Keeping lifestyle creep in check will boost your savings rate and accelerate financial independence. 🚗

Your emergency fund will cover surprise expenses or a job loss. 🛌

Insurance, chosen wisely, will protect you from financial disaster. 🕊️

So rather than letting fear of the extreme steer our choices, we can plan around the scenarios that actually happen.

The best part is that when we have confidence in our plan, it doesn’t just allow us to protect against the hard times. It helps us make the most of the good times. Remember that hitting your financial goals is more likely than the world falling apart in your lifetime. So, when you reach your next milestone, how will you step into that new chapter?

🫶 P.S. If you'd like some help with your plan, or if you don't know where to start, book a free strategy session ​here​.