Hidden ROI of Campfires & Crumbs

“What’s for dinner?” and Other High-Stakes Negotiations

At any given moment this week, Michael has been either refereeing a snack dispute, coordinating three kids’ nap windows like an air traffic controller, or politely debating the merits of ketchup vs. mustard on a hot dog. Yes, he's at a cottage—with another family—and while it’s equal parts joy and chaos, there’s a deeper lesson brewing somewhere between the sunscreen and s’mores.

One morning, all the kids and moms disappeared on a walk. Just like that, silence. Not the ominous kind. The good kind. A rare moment where friends could actually connect, uninterrupted, over a coffee that was still hot.

It made us think: Are we investing enough in the relationships we want around us when the house gets quiet?

Avoiding “The Retirement Silence”

In behavioural finance, we often talk about present bias—our tendency to overvalue the now and undervalue the future. It’s why we procrastinate saving for retirement or put off estate planning (i.e. updating wills and power of attorney) until it becomes urgent.

But the same bias applies socially. We assume we’ll have time later to reconnect with friends, visit family, or build community. Until the kids are grown. Until work slows down. Until the mythical “one day.”

Here’s the problem: relationships, like portfolios, need regular contributions to grow. If we’re not nurturing our social capital now—amid the tantrums and Taco Tuesdays—it may not be there when we need it most. The risk? A well-funded retirement with no one to enjoy it with.

A Real Plan Has Room for People

Financial planning isn’t just about spreadsheets and compound interest. It’s also about designing a life worth retiring to. That includes:

• Budgeting for connection: Annual trips with friends. Babysitters for adult nights out. Even just time set aside to call your family or friends.
• Legacy beyond assets: Estate plans should account for emotional goals too—who do you want around your table in the decades ahead?
• Shared goals: Sometimes, friends make great accountability partners—for fitness, finances, or just laughing at dad jokes no one else appreciates.

So yes, this cottage trip is noisy, messy, and slightly over-scheduled. But it’s also an investment. One that pays dividends when the house quiets down and you look around for people to share it with.

"The most important things in life aren’t things." — Anthony J. D’Angelo