Life Is for Spending
Save less, live more.
Imagine saving for years to take a dream trip—and never going.
I once operated a business that helped people earn frequent flyer miles and hotel loyalty points. It was fun to see lots of readers getting points and booking long-awaited adventures.
Over time, I noticed that one of these objectives—earning points—was easier for some people than the second one, booking cool trips.
One day, a reader wrote to thank me. He said he had earned more than 400,000 miles from travel hacking in the past few months.
“That’s amazing!” I replied. “Great work!”
He had a question on how to earn even more miles and points.
Sure, I said—we could talk about that. There are always new strategies to pursue. But first, I asked, what was he using all these miles for?
“I haven’t figured that out yet,” he said. “Maybe I’ll go somewhere in a couple of years.”
What! That’s not the point.
Airline miles are for spending, not just collecting. If you earn miles or points, you should put them to good use. All the loyalty points in the world won’t help you if you don’t get on a plane.
The interaction stuck with me because I realized my reader probably wasn’t the only one doing this. How many of us are stockpiling something valuable—whether airline miles, money, creative energy, or emotional openness—waiting for the “right moment” to use it?
Sometimes I think that the lessons of deferred gratification, while well-meaning, can hold people back from actually living now.
Sure, you should plan for the future, and you should take care of your health. But no amount of planning can stop time's passage.
One day, you’ll either have spent your life or let it expire unused, like a gift card forgotten in a drawer. So perhaps ask yourself: what are you hoarding? What have you earned, created, or saved that’s sitting unused?
Spend the miles. Spend your time. Spend your energy, your art, your attention. Don’t wait for a finish line that keeps moving.
The year was 2011. I joined the Travel Hacking Cartel, where I learned about a British Airways promotion. The next year I was able to take my family of four to Europe, as I had always dreamed of. That led to more trips than I could count, and a love of travel for my kids, as well. Go, get out there. No one ever regrets taking the trip. What's the point of hoarding anything if it's not putting you on the path toward realizing your dreams?
"Spend the miles. Spend your time. Spend your energy, your art, your attention. Don’t Wait for a Finish Line that Keeps Moving." That last line hit hard. Ive learned that spending my energy creates more and my hunch is that applies pretty much across the board; creating more opportunities, money and capacity for attention.
* There's one area where I'm still stuck in the mud; buying clothes. That ain't happening until I get my weight down. I'll spare you the heart surgeries after getting covid and the 3 year journey out of that hole (still climbing). Back to clothes.
Just can't do it. Feeling really good about my progress healthwise. I'm traveling again, getting stronger. But the mirror will have to wait...
Love reading your work Chris.