There’s something about a serious diagnosis that shines a very bright light on the things we think we already understand -- money included. Looking back, here are a few things I wish I had more fully internalized before cancer changed my life.
1. The purpose of money isn’t just to provide security, peace of mind, or social utility.
Yes, those are all valid and important functions of wealth, but money can also be a vehicle for something deeper: happiness, right where you are. It can be used to support joy, connection, meaning, and the things that make life rich, even when time may be short. That shift in perspective has been a gift, and I wish I had seen it more clearly earlier on.
2. There’s no reason for finances to cause fear or anxiety.
Especially for those of us who are privileged to live in a first-world country and who have been blessed with even a modest level of success, the worry we often carry about money is, in many ways, misplaced. Life has its risks, no doubt, but that’s even more reason to approach our finances with enlivened gratitude, not fear. Even without a terminal diagnosis, we should aim to live from a place of perspective & happiness, not panic.
3. I knew this one already—but cancer proved it: financial stewardship is a skill, and it requires a team.
Managing wealth well is not a solo sport. It takes time, discipline, and wisdom but it also takes collaboration. I’ve never been more convinced of the value of having trusted professionals in your corner, people who can help navigate complexity, plan with integrity, and adapt when the unexpected happens. The amazing team I am so profoundly fortunate to work with everyday… there just aren’t words.
Learn more about Beyond Wealth at capfina.com/beyond-wealth