Planning for a Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

Terry Herr, CFP®

When it comes to life, I value experiences more than things. I also don't believe in "bucket-lists", I think it is better to create a "To Do" list.   To do list are typically organized by priority, with the most important priorities at the top of the list and the least important at the bottom.  What's great is that over time our priorities change, and we can move items up and down the list, even remove them.  A bucket list has always seemed to be a fixed list of things we might like to do, but never do. I want to create to-do list and check items off or remove them if my interest wains.  Regardless, of what you call it, having a once-in-a-lifetime experience takes planning.  

What's your perfect once-in-a-lifetime experience? Hot air balloons over the French Countryside? A voyage aboard the Orient Express? A gourmet tour of Southeast Asia? Or chartering a luxury yacht for a long sea voyage? When you let yourself daydream, do you yearn for a journey to a faraway place in plush comfort? Do you crave an educational experience, like a master class with a great artist you admire? Perhaps you imagine bringing the whole family together for a memorable celebration? For me, it usually involves a mountain, cave or a rarely explored area of the Grand Canyon.

Whatever your ultimate daydream might be, you can prepare for it now. The stories and memories can last a lifetime. y starting today, you might just move that once-in-a-lifetime experience from your bucket list onto your calendar.

Do Your Research

To bring a daydream to fruition, at some point you'll need to know if your  expectations are realistic. Prudent research can prevent your being waylaid by unforeseen circumstances.  My dream of being on top of Everest...at this point in life, its a neat idea, but I'll never spend that kind of money or sufficiently train.  I am also not willing to experience the physical pain involved in a climb like that.  I'll stick to the little sister mountains. 

At lower altitudes, maybe you'd like to take your closest friends and loved ones on a private yacht cruise to the Caribbean. Where might you want to embark from? Depending on the time of year, a two-week yacht tour starting in New York City, touring the Caribbean, and ending in Ft. Lauderdale may cost about $10,000 per person. You would also need to factor in plane or train fare for each member of the party to get to New York, and to get home from Florida.¹

Doing your research can help you focus, but it can also be a chance to think bigger, before you get practical. This is a chance to let your imagination wander. If you're going to go big, you might as well look into what's possible.

Plan Your Timing

Tropical parts of the world are known for sunshine. Yet, you may find one season less expensive. Is that because that's when it rains, nonstop? Make sure you're looking at the right time of year for your big event.

In the example of the Caribbean yacht trip, you'd probably have sunshine in mind, so make sure you're planning around the best weather. Holidays that fall between Thanksgiving and New Years are a festive and celebrated time in a city like New York, or you could opt for summer, when there are many outdoor events to enjoy.²

Prepare for the Unexpected

Travel and health insurance can be wise to consider. Nobody wants to think about something unpleasant coming up, but it's better to err on the idea of safety. The less you have to worry about, the more you can focus on enjoying your experience.

The "unexpected" might also be something positive that you encounter during your experience. What if you suddenly decided you wanted to stay an extra week? If you're enjoying yourself and you have the means, why not? Again, preparation is key, and setting aside a little extra "fun money" is one way you can be ready to take advantage of an opportunity or indulge a whim. While the scale of extravagance is different for everyone, it's good to always have the ability to shift gears, no matter what opportunity or circumstance presents itself.

Preparing at Home

There are plenty of ways to get ready from home. If your once-in-a-lifetime plans include travel outside of the United States, you will almost certainly need to be up on your shots. Make sure to double-check your vaccination records and speak with a medical professional about any precautions they recommend.

Whether or not you speak the languages you may encounter on an overseas trip, it can be helpful to brush up or learn some basic phrases. New language-learning apps can simplify this process. You can even make it a fun activity for the family if your children or grandchildren are joining you, and practice the phrases together as you look forward to the trip.

Who Can Help?

A "once-in-a-lifetime" experience is something worth doing well. While you make wise choices to help maintain your lifestyle through retirement, prepare for things like education and leaving a charitable legacy, your wealth is also to be enjoyed. It's important to remember that money can be a means to something greater, and as they say, you can't take it with you.

If you've never mentioned your once-in-a-lifetime "big dream" to your financial professional, you might consider doing so. Depending on what you have in mind, they can help you prepare for large expenditures, and may have some resources that can help make it even more achievable. With the funds securely in place and all of your bases covered, you'll be able to focus on your amazing experience and not worry about anything else.

Whatever you're dreaming up, don't let anything hold you back. With some determination, preparation, and willingness to explore, you can manifest a lifelong dream into reality and enjoy the beautiful memories for years to come.

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