Living Life One Day at a Time

CHISWICK, WEST LONDON – Greetings from West London…

My family and I see ourselves as a sort of carpe diem family. Here’s what I mean…

We recognize we only have a very limited amount of time to spend with our children – and they with us – before they leave us and start lives of their own.

We want to make the absolute most of this time (something I wrote about in more detail here).

So we’re not going to worry about money, or school, or work, or anything else. We’re going to have a blast together… and worry about the future later.

(To preserve our wealth through this family experiment of ours, we’ve put all our savings into gold. We estimate it has the best probability of being safe and liquid there… while maintaining its purchasing power.)

But how did we get here?

My “One More Day” Lifestyle

Kate and I got divorced seven years ago. We tore our family apart.

Then, as longtime readers know, I Iost my business, my purpose in life, and my ability to sleep. (I wrote about this in more detail here.)

I had a nervous breakdown and decided to kill myself. But before I went through with it, I decided to give myself one more day to do whatever I wanted.

So I did.

I spent that day eating McDonalds and drinking Coca-Cola, hitting golf balls at the driving range, and day trading the stock market with an irresponsible amount of money, using 100-1 leverage.

(I hit the golf balls straighter and further than I’ve ever hit them before. And I made a $20,000 profit from my day trades, which I lost – and more – over the next few months.)

The next day, I decided to do it again.

This time, I sat on the beach and read a Jack Reacher novel for a few hours, ate more junk food, drank more cola, and then drove around in my car for a while, yelling as loud as I could at the steering wheel.

It was fun.

The next day, I decided to jump on a plane, go to the Scottish Highlands, and hike up some mountains… And so on, each time getting a little bolder with my plans.

The next thing that happened was Kate let me come back into her life.

Now, instead of expressing this “one more day” sentiment only on myself, I was able to turn it on Kate and the kids.

We rented a cool graffiti-covered van, bought an amazing tent that floated in the air, and went on an epic tour of America’s national parks.

Three years later, Kate and I are married again, our family is healed, and we’re still trying to live as though I’ll be dead tomorrow. (I sleep better, too.)

What My Mother Would’ve Wanted

I’m writing to you today from London, at my mother’s desk.

My mother died at Christmas. (You can read the eulogy I wrote for her here.) Now, my brother Jo and I must clean out her house and get rid of all her belongings.

It’s not an easy job, mainly because Mum had nice things and we must decide what to do with each little thing.

It’s tempting to see this as work and as a chore that must be completed. But then, I remember my mission to live as if each day will be my last…

And I remind myself that this experience – in London, in my childhood home, with my brother – should be a very special time to be savored, enjoyed, and remembered.

It’s what my mother would have wanted.

Here we are enjoying the weather in the garden this morning…

And here we are playing the card game Bridge with one of the neighbors…

– Tom Dyson

Like what you’re reading? Send your thoughts to [email protected].

Condolences and kind words… and a word of caution for Tom to not throw away his late mother’s belongings…

Reader comment: I just wanted to say that I am so sorry about your mom having passed. I also want to say that I am sorry that letter-writing and photo albums have gone by the wayside in our world. We are none the better for it. I enjoy reading all about your travels, family, life, etc.

Reader comment: Please research the vinyl records before you toss them away. Some albums have good value as a growing number of people are getting turntables and playing vinyl.

Reader comment: Traveling as much as you have been for the last few years, you may not be aware of the reincarnation of interest in LP records. Before you toss those records, at least check with a local music store to see what they’re worth today. You may be surprised. And CDs, too, but to a lesser extent. Streaming music is the most popular source these days, though collectors with pockets full of money are out there.

Reader comment: I wish you the very best as you navigate those things you are doing in England for your mom and her estate. I hope all goes smoothly for you as you do those things, and that it is an enriching process for you and your family as you do them together.

Tom’s note: As always, thanks for your messages! Please keep writing us at [email protected], and I’ll do my best to answer your questions in an upcoming Friday mailbag edition.