Is there such a thing as a surefire investment?  I'd like to suggest three.

Investing in YESTERDAY (Preserving irrecoverable assets)

Many people aren't interested in the past until they realize their futures are shrinking.  Rather than planning for what is yet to come they begin to appreciate what has been.

Investing in the past is important to preserving the legacies of those who have gone before.  Here are four ideas for investing in yesterday - I'm sure you can think of many more.

1. Convert old videotapes and 8 mm movies to digital formats that can be watched whenever you want (Judy and I need to start by preserving our wedding video)
2. Print pictures onto canvas and hang enlarged photos on your walls
3. Record a grandparent telling stories from his/her past - telling stories may be easier than writing one's memoirs and can achieve the same purpose in a more interactive setting
4. For those who are willing to write, buy them To Our Children's Children - it provides questions to prompt relatives in capturing their memories 

Investing in TODAY (Creating lasting assets out of the everyday)

We know we need to invest for the future, but sometimes we have to begin by investing in today.

1. Vacations feel like a luxury especially when finances are tight, but they become the stories of your shared future as a family - they don't have to be expensive to be memorable
2. Dating your spouse is a necessity, especially when your children are young - 25 years into our marriage we are thankful we spent thousands on babysitters to create space in our lives for adult conversations
3. Activities with and for your children - music, sports, etc., are an investment in the people they are and will become 
4. Charity - teaching your children to invest in others outside your family, particularly without thought of being repaid, sets the tone for their future contributions to their communities

Investing in TOMORROW (Anticipating the assets of value for your future)

Here are four suggestions for investing in tomorrow.

1. Retirement is reality for most people and we do need to put away money that allows us to enjoy life after employment
2. Home may not be the financial investment we would like, but it is where most of our memories as a family come to life, so it makes sense to create the space we want to enjoy with those we love
3. Education brings many benefits - two that may escape notice are giving your children choices for their future and helping them to feel comfortable in conversations with a broader range of people
4. Conversations with your spouse - don't wake up next to a stranger once your nest is empty and there are no children around to serve as a buffer between the two of you - keep talking!  You really can understand one another!

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I love hearing your thoughts, so thanks in advance for all of your comments.  Until next month. . .