Anna Vollenweider
I have taken the less traditional route to financial advisor and planner because life has thrown me a few curve balls. My second favorite saying is that “Life is all about how you handle plan B.”
When I was 45, I was at an absolute high point in my life. I loved my family, friends, and job. Our youngest was a sophomore in college. I had just returned from a magical trip to Tahiti. I do not know how things could have been better.
Then, one month after returning from that magical trip, I was diagnosed with breast cancer out of nowhere.
I don’t tell you this to make you feel sorry for me or drum up business – in fact, it’s very uncomfortable to talk about unless I am helping someone one-on-one. It is to make a point – I went from being on top of the world to everything being uncertain in ONE DAY. Whew! Your priorities can shift overnight. Luckily, I have an amazing support system and have been cancer-free since.
Let’s talk about those priorities. Thankfully, my family was always my priority and I have lived my life that way. I had done the right things along the way – lived within my means, paid my bills, purchased life insurance, saved for retirement and college, etc. We made some choices along the way that probably seemed silly to others like buying motorcycles, boats, Jeeps, and vacations. I was still heavily in the accumulation phase of my life – the right house, cars and toys.
While going through the chaos with our amazing support system, we started to focus on the things that could make a real impact on our lives if things turned out right. Things that brought us joy – not short-term happiness but deep-in-your heart JOY – were not necessarily what we were spending our money on every day. We decided it was time to change that.
We went from diagnosis to driving away in our new RV in 2 years and 4 months – all while still working full-time. I think many people still think we are crazy!
We traveled full-time for three years, and it was glorious! We have been all over this country and Canada. There are only about four states where you can spend your winters in an RV. We happened to fall in love with Arizona. After our 2nd winter there, we decided to build a wintertime home there and moved in during our 3rd winter. We still travel every summer and do not plan to ever stop because that is a peace that you just cannot buy. We have built our life around being able to work and travel and it is amazing!
Since we have moved, I think we all appreciate each other a bit more. When we go home now, it is like a two-week party, and everyone is worn out. I LOVE IT! That was part of my plan – making sure I had enough money to go home and see them 3-4 times a year. Not only that but making sure they come join us on the road and in Arizona in the wintertime.
Do I regret it? NOT FOR A SECOND!! I feel like one of the most fortunate people in the world. We have worked hard and made good choices along the way (and some silly ones too). I do not miss my old house or my ‘stuff’ one bit. I feel like I have better quality time with my family. I meet some of the most amazing people and go to some of the most beautiful places in the world.
None of it would have happened without a plan and working together with my husband to make it happen.
Writing this bio reminds me of a time I was talking with a friend several years ago. We had been friends for 20 years from our 4-wheeling activities. Donnie had just been through a bout with throat cancer, and I had just been through my ordeal. We were in Moab, UT on yet another 4-wheeling trip and the weather was stormy. Some of us had gathered in the biggest tent and Donnie and I were chatting. We were both thankful that we had made it through but also grateful that we both lived our lives in a way that if the worst had happened, we would be okay.
This is why I became a planner: I want to help people find that joy as early as possible. I want to help them live intentionally every single day. It does not need to take a life-altering event to start building those things into your life. I do not want you to spend your whole life working and saving for a beautiful retirement that may or may not come. Life happens. I want you to be responsible and make good choices for your future, BUT I want you to have some fun all the way to retirement, as well.
Even with all the chaos, my favorite saying, ‘Life is Good!.’
